The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-18
THE IRON BOX.
RY ARTHrR L. MESERYR.

occasion to voyage that way. il thrusts it.
self well out into the ocean, and beyond
where its dark cliffs dip into the water there
is still a row of teeth-like rocks which only
show themselves at low tide, although their
presence is ever revealed by the seething
sea which wages with them perpetual
warfare
There is a passage in through the rocks
known only TO few, by which, when the
water is not too rough, boat can pass and
gain the little bit of smooth water which
lies beneath the southern slope of the head
land; but woe it is to the toiler of the sea
who attempts it in storm, even though he
be well acquainted with the passage.
Many are the stories told by the hardy
jewellers along the coast, of boats which
had gone to their destruction on these cruel
rocks, aud of the white faces of their occu-
pants who had been thrown upon the mar
row belt of sand at the foot of the cliffs,
their life gone ont from them amid the
angry swiring OF the waters; and up on
the headland where there was patch of
earth, there was a cluster of humble, moss
grown graves where the victims had been
laid away to sleep their long sleep undi'-
turbed by the roar of the ocean and the
fierce storms that ever and anon ragged above
them.
Il was on one of those wild, tempestuous
nights which always come late in autumn
that a faint light cleaned out inta the
murky ght from the window of old Amos
1arlow's cottage, whore it nestled close up
under hi Oh rock, back some little distance
from where the headaud broke sheer down
into the ever restless waves.
Had it not been for the light on. might
have passed close to it in the night time
taking it for part of the cliff itself, little
dreaming that il was human habitHtiOn,
and the home of the old fisherman whose
boat under the headland was lying safe
from the storm which howled over sea aud
land as though bound on an errdnd OF COM
plete humiliation.
But although his boat was safe Old Amos
would never her guide her through the
breakers again. He was about to take an
other trip, but it would be oil an unknown
sea, and other hands than his would ply the
oars.
Tie old fisherman was dying. In the
room from which the light shOne out he lay
upon his bed, past all mortal help.
This his watchers had known for many
hours. They had thought he would go out
on the Unknown Ocean the night before,
but he had chung 10 life as he would have
done to n broken car amid the breakers.
One of the watchers was a man old and
gTiuled, although still stout and strong, aud
clad in the rough garments Of fisherman.
The other was woman nearly bent double
with age and iufirmitics. When she moved
around the room it was with the
aid Of long staff, and her steps
were weak and unsteady. At the
head of the bed was ttered table
which, from its dilapidated appearance,
might have been cast ashore from some
Inflated ship. Resting on Ii amid num-
Der Of bottles and dishes, an oil lamp was
burning, throwing around dim and I'M
certain light. Upon the rock hearth IRE
was spUtteting, having all it could do to
its lite from the odds and ends it
fed upon, and the assault OF the wind which
came roaring down the wide chimney as
though it meant to eXtinguiSh the last en-
bers by scattering them around the room.
GrOteSQue shadows fitted about the
walls of the apartment whenever the
watchers stirred from their position about
the bed or fire, while from without the
roar of the wind and ocean filled their ears
with their uncedsing tumuit.
For few minutes both had been seated
by the fire without a word passing between
them.
Now and then, when there was lull in
the storm, they could hear the deep breath
Ing Of the sick man, whose hours were so
nearly numbered.
At length the man arose once more and
went to the bedside. He found its occupant
more restless than when he had last stood
beside him.
How is he, Dick?" crooned the old
woman.
Tie man took up the lamp and held it
above the white, pinched face Of the dying.
4" He wont last much longer, Kitty. He
will furl his sail and be at anchor soon"
The old dame arose and h0bble1 to the
ia ND nd q Ia
sufferer lying there.
He does seem to be sinking, Dick. His
sands are well nigh run; but he wont die
jest yet. How long VIII it be before the
tide GIBBS ?"
More than an hour yet"
He wont die tin then, Dick. Seafaring
men never die until the tide is running out.
When the ebb comes you may look fol him
to go at any minute. 1t seems easier for
them to give up their hold on life wien they
can float out on the tide"
Yes, and he will 60 with the next one
have died here alone, Kitty, had it not been
for you and me, his old neighbors."
Yes. Poor little Nell could not have got
here had she known it, it has come so soon.
1t will almost break her heart when she
comes to hear that her old uncle has gone
on his last voyage"
81 But the boy, Earle, might have GOMEZ"
The face of the old woman darkened.
He come, the ungrateful brat" she
calculated. 90 do believe Amos Harlow
would rise up in the bed to smite him.
should he come, although he be lying stiff
and cold. He would not dare to tace the
old man, living or dead, after his trying not
only to rob but murder him."
"He is the devils own" said the old fish,
erman, land Lis MASTER Will have MIN all
in good time. | would not have thought
thar there could have been such wickednesS
in his heart. But old Amos must have
pretty sum laid up for Nell, and L suppose
The villain wanted it."
Dick set down the lamp and they resumed
their seats.
Yes, pretty sum, l have no doubt" she
with set eyes staring at the flick
ering famrs. Il don't know how much
there Is, but it is all in yellow gold, and in
would have me fetch it from the trap,
where he had hidden it in the bot
tom Of the cupboard. Then he would lay
and look at it, and more than once he said
he had saved it for Nell How he
does like that child; He wanted her with
would send her off to school, so that she
might he great lady when she grew up.
He always thought a great deal Of her
mother, too She was the youngest sister,
and not bit like Earles mother, who was
always going to the bad. The yOungster
;OHe TlBHGiy euOubW o9 IiIe ueVllITy JnaL Is
n him. He takes it from both sides"
They are both doad now, amt they,
ditty?"
Yes, and wish their offspring was along
With them. But all in good time he will be
hanged or drowned. He's sure of one or
he other, to my mind"
They were silent now for little time and
I'll the motion they made was to turn their
aces now and then toward the bed. At
ength Dick pulled from his pocket his great
,pen-face watch, and, holding it out so that
he freight flashed upon it, noted the DO
ition OF the hands.
The tide has turned" he said. ''It is
mining out Something may happen now"
md he,gave n significant look up into his |
face
A sound came from the direction of the
,ed. 1t startled them, although it was what !
hey had been expecting.
That Is the death rattlel He's going" |
ried Dick
Both rose at the same moment, but before |
he bedside was reached another sound |
tartled them and arrested their footsteps |
t was loud knocking outside the door, as |
hough some one was demanding admit |
ance
ut must be the doctor" said Kitty, re-
oVerng her composure. but don't see
H. l.