The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-29

| for the northeast trades. Inc able phySl-
clan could not make out the case of his
patient A severe bruise was on the side
of his head and face, but there seemed a
mental alteration and an inability TO an
swer questions intelligently. When asked
| his name he answered, MARY CroweH. F"
Asked how he came in the water, he re-
piled, 'Staysail" To the question where
/ he lived he said. ''Tack ship" His bodily
strength returned somewhat, but his mind
was weak and wavering, and his memory
too dim to be of any use.
In due time the Pilgrim arrived at Rio
Janeiro. The unknown waif picked up at
sea was turned over to the care of the
American consul, and by him placed in the
hospital He was quiet and harmless, gave
very little trouble, but his reason seemed
lost. The charming climate and surround
| ings had a good effect upon the bodily
health of the young man. From the win
dows of the hospital he could see the mag
nificent harbor and the ships lying at
anchor there. These seemed to interest
him, but he always appeared to be search
ing for something among them that he
could not find. A tawny silky beard grew
upon his face, his form filled out, and but
for the vacant expression in his eyes he was
all that manly beauty and symmetry of
form could express.
One day beautiful little schooner came
in from sea. Her snowy sails would have
revealed her nationality at once, even if
the starry flag bad not flown from her
peak. She seemed to interest the hapless
patient greatly. When just in front of the
hospital she gracefully tackled, and at the
proper moment he shouted, Draw away"
and as the jib swung across the deck he
was greatly excited and seemed to be strug
Cling with some memory, but could not
concentrate his mind upon it. He watched
the little vessel until she anchored, and
would look at her for hours while she re-
manned in the harbor, but at last she went
away and he saw her no more.
Abner Wilcox grew pale and thin. He
visited grave lawyer in the city and told
him his sad story. He made his will, leav-
ing his little belongings to Mary and the
children, and then he went to sea with
great sadness in his heart and a desire for
death and rest. The bark Pursuit, out
ward bound for San Francisco, was struck
by pampero off the Rio de la Plata and
dismasted. When the gale abated jury
masts were rugged and the captain was
able to get his ship into Rio Janeiro for re-
pairs. One of the crew had been severely
injured in the disaster, and was sent to the
hospital upon the arrival of the ship. On
the succeeding Sunday Abner Wilcox, sea-
man on this vessel asked permission to
visit his shipmate at the hospital, and re-
ceiving it, went on shore. He wandered
about the beautiful city, visiting the OBJ
jects of interest and viewing the splendid
scenery of the vicinity, and when the visit
ing hour arrived presented himself at the
entrance and was admitted.
The injured shipmate was rapidly i'm
proving under the skillful care of the sur
geon in charge, and Abner contributed to
his comfort as he could, and was about to
leave the place, when turning, he encount-
cred face and form that would never be
effaced from his memory. Pressing his
hands to his heart, struggling for breath,
he murmured, James Hallett," and fell
fainting on the floor. When he recovered
kind people were about him, and were
ministering to him. He was bewildered
for moment, but standing near was
form that brought back recollection, and
ne covered his face with his hands, and
thankful tears fell from his eyes and
grateful prayers rose from his heart.
James Hallett's face wore a troubled and
perplexed look. His hand was pressed to
his head He watched Abner closely, and
refused to leave the room. The latter
slowly rose and approached him.
James," said he, don't you know me?"
Still the strange look of perplexity was
in the troubled eyes.
The surgeon then gave Abner short
history of this case that had perplexed
them so much, and with look of intense
pity in his eyes Abner Wilcox vowed in his
heart that his should be the task 10 restore
his old friend to life and light and love
again. He told the surgeon the strange
story, and that intelligent officer saw at
once the best hope for the afflicted and be-
wildered man.
James Hallett," said Abner, slowly and
distinctly, 81 am your old friend Abner
Wilcox. Don't you remember me?"
The vacant eyes frightened little, but
the look of trouble remained.
James," continued his friend, "have
you forgotten Mary and the children, and
the little home in Wellfeet? Have you no
recollection of the schooner Matchless in
which we were fishing together Do you
not remember one dark night we were beat
ing up from Pollock rip. and you went aloft
to furl the staysail, and as you were coming
down we tackled ship, and"-
Here the dropping head was raised, the
vacant eyes flashed fire, and James shout
ed, Hold on that jib sheet, Abner; my foot
is caught" and throwing up his arms and
shrieking as though fearful of a blow, he
fell heavily on the floor.
They raised him, applied restoratives, and
shortly after he slowly opened his eyes. All
stood back but Abner Wilcox.
Hello, Abnerr' said he, raising himself
on his elbow, have been asleep longi Is
it NV watch? Why. how is thisi VIVA:
place is this, How did get heres Where
is the schooner and the skipper
Gently, Jimmy" said his friend, eve
will talk 1t over some other time. You
have been sick for a while"
Nonsense, boyi'' said James 81 am all
right Why. feel splendid. will get up
and look around little, and Jon shall tell
me all about it."
And then the whole story was told
James.
And the wife aud the children'"
They were well, but mourning hfn as
dead, and no way Of getting the news to
them.
His impatience knew no bounds He
must fly 20 them at once-at once.
A light twinkled in a little cottage Of
Cape Cod A sad eyed widow held her
children TO her heart and weps as she told
them of the father that was DO more, and
then more calmly of the glorious hope that
the season gave of a blessed meeting With
him beyond the stars
Toward the feeble light two men hast
ened- One pressed impatiently on N sd-
vance of the other. who toiled along with
quick. gasping breath, and his hand
pressed 10 his heart A look OF pain vas