The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-14
MY INDIAN So MINER.
A Pretty r omance Of tho North
Coast of Ireland.

''Mackerel! Fresh mackerell Wan,
any, sir? just caught last night" and
the basket of shining fish was laid
down for my inspection. In few min
utes half dozen fine fellows were
transferred to my keeping, and then,
shouldering his basket with bow and
! a smile, he was off. and the fresh,
clear. young voice rang out again
'Mackerel! Fresh mackerel!'
| This was my first introduction to
Ben. and it took place at a small fish
ing village on the north coast of Ire
land, where l had chosen to spend my
summer holidays, on account of its
quiet seclusion from the big world /
was tired of. l had noticed the lad
before, standing among the other lads
about the landing place, and I had
been irreslstibly drawn to him. There
was something positively refreshing to
me in his hearty ringing laugh, and
when first heard it went away smil-
ing half unconsciously to myself. His
face literally brimmed over with pure
boyish fun, and the hazel eyes, white,
shining teeth, red lips, and even
the dark hair tossed about in the sea
breeze, all seemed to take part in his
laugh. That was just Ben all round
what he did he did heartily.
In few days found myself taking
a keener interest in the lad than l had
taken in any person for many a day,
for was a crusty old bachelor, sup.
posed to have laid aside love and youth,
and even sympathy with my kind, in
some dim, m usty cupboard, in secret
chamber of my heart, of which l had
lost the key. If such was the case how
ever, Ben found it for me. He was
about fourteen. and as fine lad as ever
delighted mothers heart, with way
of throwing back his head and looking
straight out of those glowing eyes of
his that made one inwardly remark
what splendid material for manhood
lies behind those eyes" 1t was the
same half-unconscious gesture of throw
ing back the head that first led me to
notice and then to love Ben, for, far
back in the bygone years, maiden's
hand had held the key of my souls
treasure-house. and that maiden had
the self-same look in her deep brown
eyes, and the same gesture of throwing
back her head. and the faint resem-
blance drew me like magnet
followed Ben about for a week,
sometimes catching glimpse of him
rowing boat, with long, steady strokes;
sometimes shouldering his basket of
fish, as l had first seen him; and on the
Sabbath was to see my boy hero in a
new character.
The Protestant church of Sandy
Beach was perched on the top of cliff,
and was only accessible from the lower
street by climbing a steep fight Of
stone stairs-a most disagreeable task
on wet day. In this weather beaten
little building / was seated on Sabbath
morning, watching the worshipers take
their places in the high-backcd pews.
The service began, and what was my
surprise to see my friend Ben stand up
to lead the singing, with all the com
posture of m old and trained singer.
The sweet, glad-toned young voice rang
full and clear, and the congregation
caught up the melody, which over
flowed the building and tloated out in
sweet sound waves over the quiet
graves outside, where slept those who
had once worshiped within these walls.
Passionately fond of music IS l an. I
could not sing that morning. I could
only listen to the larkliizc notes and
watch the play of the young singers
face.
During the service / noticed woman
far back in the church to whom the
boy was evidently dear, for the dark
eyes watched him with softened light
shining in them. l waited after the
service for Ben, and found this woman
waiting too. Ben's curis were uncoy-
cred in a moment at my greeting. nd
with simple straightforwardness he in
troduced his companion as Aunt
Mary"
The face I now looked on for the
first time was a strong, true face. with
a tried soul behind it This knew at
the first glance. resolved to e.zlti-
vate the acquaintance. and found -ha.
expected in Mary McAn:s.sr-a
grand, true woman. well fitted 70 de.
velop the fine material in the boy she
loved SO :ende-ly.
She lived in long. low cottage on
the outskirts of the village, and keot a
small shop. filed with very miscella-
neous wares paid numerous visits 10
the cottage. and bought enough carios-
tiles to last lifetime
~. ~
nan. and went On maay excursions
with Ben fer guide. and gradually
awolzc 20 the fact that strong. new
iateres. had sprung up II ny lie. and
this bright-faced. sweet-voiced lad was
its center.
] fingered on Ct my lodgings long