Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-09-12


rcsdyl The thought cooled him more
than any other could have done.
Later in the day he found himSelf say
ing thata man might we'll leave one who
had wrouged him to the justice of Heaven.
That sooner or later he would find him
self satisfied.
Among other things Ralph had said
that:
"Truuble aud worry and short victuals
had altered his wife from pretty girl to
a mighty plain woman"
The words clung to Dicks mind-he
could not forget them. He wondered II
it were so. After this he saw very little
Of Ralph. II was in his power, being
much the stronger Of the two, to take
advantage OF any watch that they might
keep together to throw him overheard,
but tho miserable life did not seem worth
taking. The once prosperous young
fellow was sick, hopeless, aud forlorn;
aud one night, as Ralph painted over a
hard task, to which he was not equal,
Dick, yielding to some queer influence
that came upon him, asked the Captain
to let him take his place, change with
him.
"My work is easier done bya man
short of breath, he said. -
"Do as you please" the Captain re-
piled, gruffiy. "Thst's stupid lubber,
ANYHOW. Sick fellows should stay a.
shore"
Dick said: THANK yc." And per-
formed Ralph's task.
The poor fellow was grateful, and told
the story of Dicks kind deed to every
one.
"When that asthma comes on me I'm
no good" he said. "Hc saved my life
that night"
"I'm fooll" Dick said to himself, but
he continued to be one. Instead of max
ing the poor, sick fellows lot harder, he
helped him in thousand ways; and the
example being set, it got to be the fash
ion to spare Ralph, to speak OF him as
"That poor chap!' and favor him in
every way.
"Herc's fool for you," said Dick, As
he looked in his queer little round glass
of q morning. Gas big fool as sails. !"
The voyage was not lucky one. The
Captains ventures were not successful.
He solaced himself with drink, and lay
tipsy in his berth on the night when q
storm, such as few live to tell Of, broke
over them.
For two awful days the wind aud
water did what they choose with the
Betsy Belle. Then, in tho worst Of the
tempest, they took to the boats. As
Dick, having helped to drag the tipsy
Captain into one, was about to take his
own place, forlorn figure stretched out
its arms to him. In dumb show, for
words could not be heard, 1t indicated 1t
had hurt itself, and needed help to gain
the boat.
"Don't leave me-" its hollow eyes said ;
"give me chance"
The miserable thing was Ralph Hollo-
way, covered with blood, faint with pain
and horror.
Revenge, why, here it was offered to
Dick. He could cast away those cling
ing hands, jump into the boat, and leave
the man who had stolen his sweetheart
to his wretched death. He could look
back as he left the ship, aud see him in
his misery stretching out imploring hands
toward him. Yes, he could. What he
did was to take tho miserable being on
bis back, and risk his life to tumble him
into the boat.
"She's too full already" yelled one
man-"too full by hanged sight"
s'It's the sick one, mates!" roared
Dick. And when there was calm enough
he tore his own garments to bind Hollo-
ways wounds.
Storms do not last forever, but when
the gale subsidized and the scorching sun
shone down, aud they tossed about,
knowing that tho time must come when
biscuit bag and wAter-keg and brandy.
flask must be empty-then came the
worst horror OF all. They doled the bis
cult out by crumbs, tho water by drops,
but even so it would not last forever.
"Dick, good friend" said Ralph one
day, "all I pray for is to live and see
Effie, and ask her pardon for anything
I've done wrong, She liked me, though
she was toucby. Shs'Il grievc If leave
her a widow, poor grill"
For awhile Dick sat silent aud said
nothing. IT was the day on which they
divided the last OF the food.
Two days after a man arose in the
boat with kuitc In his hand.
"I won't starve fer one," he said
"Onc Of US has got to go to save th'
rest you're tho one"
Ho pointed straight at Ralph; there
was frenzy in his oyc.
The others hauled him down. As yet
they were not mad enough to join in I
cannibal feast. But starvation was do
ing its work.
Dick kept stronger and clearer in mint
than the rest. He watched the man wht
had welded the knife. In the night h,
saw him creeping toward Ralph.
blow sent him sprawlins; his comrades
were aroused. -
"why mott" they began to whisper.
"l'hey will kill mo yet" moanet
Ralph. "Effio will go crazy II she hear
J the story"
Revengel Why, 1t was offered Il
Dick in ovcraowing measure. And h
} put his strong, stout body between the
miserable Ralph and those Others ant
cried out:
J "hIates, we won't starve yet; I've KEEP
, something to tho last. I've got a fash
! of whisky aud six biscuits IN my pocket
: kept them for tho last moment, shart
and share alike"
The eager eyes turned on him-the
I allowed Dick to portion out the food. l