Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-01-16

tlth OIL the poor oil woman pots ana
pans, biz fcather-bcds and old wood
stove, Of tie long settle that had stood
in the ehimney-place since she was
born, and the eight day clock that had
ticked out every moment of her life.
Then when the house was empty she
took her little carpet-bag with her few
clothes, black paper silhouette Of her
mother when a girl, and the little bag
Of old blue silk in which she kept
JacA's last gift-the pretty white
stones, aud went to her new masters
home as sad a little maid as ever
crossed a Strangers threshold.
She had 10 time for signing in the
captains brand-ncw red brick dwell
ing. She washed the dishes and pol
ished the spoons, and waited OH the
door and the table. and carried the
big baby about, and BACKED the cap
tain boots, and at night climbed to
her garret-room and sobbed herself to
sleep, thinking of young Jack lost at
sea and the old Grandmother lying in
the little church-yard. No one cared
for her tears now--no one knew of
them. The boy who would have
kissed them away, the old dame to
whom She had ever been a darling
child who must be soothed and
watched over, were both gone, and
50 the autumn wore away Winter
came and Christmas-tidc was near.
s'Go to the store, Ruth, and tell
them to get me ten pounds of raisins
and five pounds of currants and
pound of citron," said Mrs. Bright
one evening, lust before dark. TRun,
Ruth, or tie store will be shut and old
simon away home. must begin my
pudding 1t is Christmas-eye and
padding is nothing without stirring
nothing at all, and tell them | shall
want little keg Of lard the first thing
in the morning, for the crullers and to
send it by Sam, for YOU will be busy
enough without running errands.
like things fresh. I'll not make my
crullcrs days before. as some do.
Now, run like wild, Ruth. don't
see how forgot | hadn't the fruit;
and be back as quick as YOU can"
Ruth obeycd. Her light feet took
her down to old Simon's store in the
shortest possible space of time. She
had given her order, and had the fruit
! her basket, and was hurrying TO-
ard the door, when some one opened
- ~: -ll-sss5,rssii.-;4ss- ss5,rsii-
"News! Newsn9 he cried. ..Newsl
The Dolphin is just in, and brings
three men picked up at sea on the
wreck Of The Dancing Jennie, all that
were left Of the crew Captain Parker,
old Sam Gill aud young Jack Parker.
There's very little left Of them. They
were starving TO death, and nearly
frozen. They're just skeletons. Not
man of them can stand on his feet;
but they're alive, aud doc or says
they'll get we'll Mrs Parker is al
most crazy with joy. Old ellis
daughter, too, As for little Jack
Parker he hasn't any kin, as far as
we know; but the boys Il give him
welcome
Old Sinon's store was empty in
twinkling. The loungers~hurricd up
the road toward the dock, but before
them flew little figure that seemed to
have wings. II was Ruth She had
forgotten all about the baske. of fruit
which she had thrown from her into
the road without knowing it. Raisins
and currants lay scattered in the dirt,
and the chickens were making short
work of them. The citron was trod-
den under foot. Ruts's little black
hood had caught 10 branch and hung
there, and one of her old shoes had
dropped oil, she never knew where;
ard 50 she came TO the old house by
the dock whore they had brought the
feeble shadows of three men; where
the captains wife kissed her husbands
hand in silence, and little Annie Gill
smicked Historically; and passing
through the crowd as one who had
a right, stood looking down on Jack.
Was it Jack: Could he grow 50
pale, 50 thin2 Coul his curly hair
hang 50 lankly about his temples, his
full throat shrink to this OH yes,
YES, it was Jack, for the big brown
eyes turned toward her, and a little
sigh of "Ruthy' faded on his pallid
lips.
"Are you kin of his, lass?" asked
the cantain Of the. Dolphin, kindly.
'I never knew Jack had any one"
"rm his sweetheart, sir" said
Ruthy, simply; e'and he is dearer to
me than any kin guess because we
are to marry each other some time.
''You came near missing it, lass"
said the old man. 'elf the Dolphin
hadn't met that wreck when she did,
those three souls would be in heaven
this day, or I'm no sailor
Then Rutly took his hand and
kissed It, and thanked him aud Heaven
silently.
-Where on earth have you been?'
cried Mrs. Bright, standing at the
door, as Ruth approached the captains
home. Where's the raisins and the