The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-16

gather from my chart. For us to lay to
is next TO impossible. The rising sea
has rendered our stay sails useless, and
have been obliged to act the close reefed
maintopsail, but she cannot hold 1t
long"
MY husband" returned Emma,
though you may know nothing Of tho
coast Of Maine, yet there are but few
spots along her rugged shores that are
not as Fairgrounds to me. Ny father
was for years surveyor of her islands
and harbors, and was his constant COM
panion. To me her cliffs and inlets pre-
sent nothing that can alarm me-"
Hardly had she ceased speaking when
sharp crack like the report of pistol
sounded from aloft, followed by tear
ing and crashing that started the cap
tain to his feet.
"The main topsail has gone" he ex-
claimed, and Immediately he sprang
upon the deck.
Again the ship was put before the
gale, and for several moments Capt.
Marshall was undecided what to do.
While m this quandary he felt hand
laid upon his shoulder, and on turning
he beheld his wife. She had "sou'-
wester upon her head and peajacket
buttoned closely about her.
what is the matter, james," she
said.
The husband explained his perplexity.
A strange look of fearlessness and con
fidence rested upon that fair womans
face, and looking for moment at the
compass she said:
I'VE head due northwest. Station a
trusty lookout in the foretop, and let
the ship stand on!"
Capt Marshall felt at that moment rs
though an angel had been sent to pilot
him to haven of rest Whence arose
the feeling he knew not, but instructive
ly he obeyed. Fearful and loud roared
the mighty storm, on dashed the riven
ship, but all fearless and composed stood
the heroic woman upon the quarter
deck, and the hardy seamen as they
gazed upon her felt that what daunted
not II woman should not daunt them.
Land, ho!" came from the foretop.
In three minutes more, as the ship
rose upon the bosom of a giant sea, the
land was made out upon the deck. bear
ing about two points on the larboard
bow. Emma caught sight of 1t, and
seizing u glass at the next swell she dis
covered a lighthouse upon its summit.
Then she turned her glass over the star
board beam, and in moment she ex-
claimed:
There are the Bantam Ledges. The
land on the larboard bow is Seguin, and
beyond l can see Cape Small Point.
James, she continued as she gazed into
her husbands face with a look all made
up of conscious power, "if you will drop
your foretopsail will take you into the
Kennebecr
For moment Capt. Marshall hardly
credited the evidence of his own senses,
but one look into the calm, radiant feat
ures Of his wife determined him, and in
five minutes the foretopsail was aheeted
home.
Emma Marshall seized the spanker
out haul and sprang upon the wheel
house, and calm as the falling of the
summers dew fell her orders to the man
at the wheel. The island Seguin was
cleared in safety, the ship bowled fear
lessly by the foam dashed rocks, and ere
long her bows cleft the smoother waters
of the noble Kennebec. All danger was
past. Though the storm still ragged, yet
the old Vincent rode at anchor, and the
bowling tempest could harm her no
more. Confidence was restored to the
hardy crew.
Emma Marshall descended from her
station and sought her cabin. Her rough
habiliments were thrown aside. and ere
long she reappeared in all the modesty
and beauty Of her native grace. Capt
Marshall pressed her to his bosom, and
st that moment tn >hardy seamen waved
their hats high above their uncovered
heads, while prolonged shout Of JOY
and gratitude went forth from their re-
ieved souls. They had been saved from
the terrible coast storm, and from the
bottom Of their hearts they confessed
Emma Marshall was A Wife Worth
Having.-Sylvanus Cobb, Jr.. in Yankee
Blade.