Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-08-01

L never Nc4Gd hIA tAtA- a"pNs N+Nt'
When was It that he saved the crew.
why. twas nigh six months ago, jest
after the old man died. An ALFRED storm
came on in the morning. aud the sooSaa
Jasc was wracked jest outside Blacks
Pint on them blarsted rocks. All the
other men was skairt to 90 to the rescue,
and Ben he never thought nothing bout
the lamp, but risked his own life and saved
four men. There was six in all, but two
was lost overheard before he got to EN-
Elmiry, she alwus lit the lamp in the old
mans time if he happened ter be behind
hand, but she was so took up with the
wrack, and so seairt about Ben out ON sich
tough sea- that she clean forgot, and
was just a little mite late. All the otheI
lights wus lit, We see, and the wCaek warn't
in the wake of this, nohow. Besides, the
fog wus a-elearing up, and there warn't no
need of light, as l see.
''And they say Ben neglected bis duty T.
Joe does: and he's Kinder persuaded
some other folks that he did too, specially
folks that didn't know nothing o. the sar-
eun.stance. He's got number Of names
on his paper outside the island, and all
round about. Most Of the island folks
wants Joe ter have it, coz they're pooty
near all got sound Republicans the minis
ter said ser much; but a good many are
honest enough not ter sign that pertition'
If Joe comes ter me with it, | shall tell
him what think pooty plain. He's go
ing to Washington himself with it, they
say"
II can't find words to say what my pin
ion is Of Joe Neatly if that's what he's up
to, said Mary Olive, with flashing eyes,as
she hurried off to her own room.
"Massy sakes7 said Mrs. lothian. "You
don't s'pose she means ter hev Ben, after
alR Mary Olive was alwus jest so bigert-
ed. But princerpul is princerpul.'
Mary Olive closed her door with a bang,
and seating herself on the bed began to
think. II amt in love with Ben, know
l amt, but hate such injustice, and I'm
going to do something about it myself, no
matter what folks think or say, as there's
nobody else that seems to care enough
| about right and wrong on this miserable
political island. So Joe's going to Wash
ington with his petition, is hel Well,
| somebody might make haste and get there
ahead of him, and carry the truth to head
| quarters; and if there is any justice in the
world, why, the truth would prevail.
What's politics got to do with keeping a
light, / should like to know' l always
wanted to go to Washington myself; | al
ways meant to. I've got the money now
and my new black dress would do to wear.
1t amt just the time of year | should "a
chosen for the trip, but then"
And before she blew out her candle and
settled herself for repose, Mary Olive had
a plan in her mind which would have amaz-
ed the whole island. When she awoke in
the morning it fl ashed at once into her
mind.
'"There, I've slept on it." she said to her
self, ''and l amt altered my mind; but no
body but Deacon Goodwin must know the
least thing about it. He can keep secret,
and he'll be glad to help, I'll warrant |
shouldn't wonder if some other folks could
get up petition too, as wells Joe. But
if Sabriny, or even Jotham, gets hold of it,
| everything will be spoilt. They're both oi
'em leaky. lothian always was kind O
simple, poor soul; and as for Sabriny-'
She bustled about her household affair;
as usual until after dinner. 1t was breezy
morning Jotham was preparing for an
other fishing cruise. Sabriny had toucl
of "neuroligy," and was smoking to curt
it. The bay was filled with scudding sails
and up at the lighthouse, which she coul(
see from the kitchen door, Ben was polish
ing the windows of the tower. Mary Olive
watched his motions for a few moments
then turned quickly away.
~ know can't prevent folks from call
ing me fool, but l can and will preven
myself from being one," she said, hal
aloud ''Heads orter harden after bump
ing against the world for thirty-ive years
but anyhow I'm going to start on journe.
to- morrow
The children were on their was to schoo
before she broached the subject.
''Where in the world air you a-goin'
Mary Oliver asked Mrs. Jotham, on BEN:
inform ed of the proposed journey.
"Well, I'm going to Boston, in the frs
place, and maybe shall go about consider
able before I get home, if you can &c
along with what help Israeps Phebe cal
give you for week or ten days"
"Oh, can put up With her for spell
She's tollable smart, if she didn't vast
soap so awful. Pears to me You starte'
up dretful sudden, though"
''That's the way l like to do. If | wal
and think of it while, | Sha'n't enjoy
half so much. l shall start tomorrow, an
this afternoon I'll go over to IsraePs AM
speak to Phebe."
She not only went to engage Israel
Phebe that afternoon, but had a long an
apparently satisfactory interview wit
Deacon Goodwin, who lived over at th
Point, and who met her at the wharf i
Greatport the next noon, when she EN-
| parked on tle Boston DOdl.
The next day Joe Neatly went. off in th
same direction, and the whole island wa
alive with the report that he was going +
join her in the city, and they were to b
married.
One week from that date Ben was agree
ably surprised to receive from Washington
duly signed and sealed, his appointment a
keeper of Swans Island Light. The out
ragged Republicans all collected in the stor
that night to give vent to their indignation
and amazement What was the worl,
coming to when Republican government
appointed man of another party to keel
lightg "The whole country had righ
to be fairly stunded," old Captain Squirting
said.
And great was the disappointment wher
Mary Olive returned alone two days before
Joe made his appearance, though ther'
was some excitement in wondering whert
she had been, and what had been he
errand. Perhaps she had bought her wed
ding outfit. When Joe appeared ther
was more to talk about.
"How'n under the sun did Ben git the
'pintmuntl" his followers inquired of him
Didn't he 90 on ter Washin'ton with the
petition himself, N wouldn't thet fetcl
'em!'
mo, 'twouldn't fetch nothin', becaus