The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-09-17

them examined the drifting boat.
BLAST my buttons if it amt a wom-
an!' he exclaimed. With two or three
long strides he reached the dock and be-
gan unfastening a boat.
What you goin to do" demanded his
companion.
Coin to pick up that skiff. Come on,
Jim
Jim demurred, urging that no boat
could live long in such a sea and that it
was just f~oolhardy to venture.
Tom, however, would take no denials,
and with serious misgivings Jim was
finally persuaded to take a hand at the
oars. Under the double pull the boat
plunged outward into the boiling surf
and spray dashed over the two rowers.
1t was IL hard struggle, and many times
the boat barely escaped swapping in
the heavy seas that struck her; but at
last the castaway was overhauled. As
they approached the woman stretched
appealing hands toward them and Tom
turned In his seat to get a square look at
her. ''Great Scott!'
The beaded perspiration On his brow
began streaming down his checklist
was Sadie, she who had SO cruelty Tilted
him. But all differences were forgotten
when life and death hung so nicely
poised in the balance. The drifting
boat was nearly filled with water and it
seemed as if every sea would submerge
it.; but the boat and Sadie were both
rescued and landed upon the lee side of
q projecting headland. Sadie was
drenched through and through. Her
hair hung in strings, her clothing chung
closely about her, and altogether she
looked as picturesque as a ducked hen.
You may thank your lune for your
salvation" remarked Jim, turning to
the fair but dilapidated Sadie.
Il never see a oma yit that |
thought more of than | do of my indi-
vidual self, and if Tom hadn't shamed
me out and made me go l expect he'd
"a went alone, and you'd "a both gone
to Davy Jones" and the rough old fish
erman inverted a rubber boot that he
had removed for the purpose of drain
ing off the water which was stopping
about in it.
The girl made no reply, but from un-
der dripping locks she beamed upon
Tom a smile. the most heartsome and
approving which he had eyer received.
In answe to inquiries Sadie explained
how that when midway between the two
islands a rowlock had become detached
and had fallen overheard, rendering the
oars useless, and being overtaken by the
squat, she had drifted until discovered
and rescued.
Sadie found shelter with some friends
who lived in Put-in-Bay until the next
morning, when, the gale having died,
she was restored to her anxious parents
by Tom Taylor in person. She was not
much worse for the wetting and scare
received, but was appropriately subdued
in manner meeting Tom with uniform
kindness and evidently regarding him
as a hero.
Old Hank received him with ELUSIVE
demonstration and insisted upon his re-
manning for the day as an honored guest,
placing before him in the way Of enter
tainment the best that his larder afford
ed. Sadie behaved beautifully. and it
will hardly be necessary to tell of all the
little firtations successfully prosecuted
by the young couple during that brief
dGy.
In the evening, as Tom was about tax
Ing his departure. his host clapped him
on the shoulder and said:
Young man. if it hadn't been for you
my girl wud a been drifting down Lake
Erie Il dead corpse instead of a-settin
here. You've saved her life, and now ]
don't know how to pay you for the trou.
BILE unless you're willin to take her,"
A wave of scarlet suddenly overswept
Toms face, extending clear to the roots
of his red hair, while the girl looked the
picture of confusion. why dad.'
After a mighty effort Tom succeeded
in partially regaining his self possession,
and after clearing his throat said if the
old man was .'willin" and the girl was
within" he guessed he'd "call it square
and the girl nodded and the old man
said, "All right" and promised to throw
in the boat as a part of the bargain. Sc
before the ice fields blocked the island
passages there was Il wedding on Rattle.
snake. and III triumph Tom bore away
his bride.
One by one Hank Hammond was
robbed of his daughters, and he eventu.
ally left the island himself.
Another 'Swiss Family Robinson"
who succeeded him now occupies his
place.
Tom Taylor multiplied and increased
as the years swept on and now rejoices
in not only an ample share of worldly
emoluments. but also a big and bloom
inc family nj chi16rou -Exchapoo