Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-22


-0-H- just adjourned for
breakfast, aud the
empty room with its strata of various
coored cigarette smoke was uninviting
at so early an hour. Hardly more at
tractive was the row Of pallid iavalids-
helpless and shapeless in their heavy
wraps-on the deck before him. 1t was
demoralizing to see men so colorless and
women SO utterly regardless OF personal
appearance as his fellow passengers.
Three days of rough weather had
wrought the usual havoc, and although
the sea had become somewhat calmer
there was an insidious swell, deadly in
its effect. 1t addition to the general
dreariness the fog-whistle had been
night, and even nov, although the fog
was lifting it necessitatei this precau-
tion. However muggy the outside
air, it was delicious after the smoking
room, and Relf, delightfully."- conscious
of being one of the very few persons
walking the deck, threw back his head
with a quick, characteristic movement,
to enjoy more fully the salty dampness.
''He is beautiful YOUTH" said the
Rabbi, and he murmured some apro-
pos remarks Of the Hebrew poets.
''In that long coat and round cap lie
he is like young priest" added the
Bishop, and they both continued their
discussion on "intinity." Relf smiled
and touched his cap as he passed them.
They were an interesting old pair, each
so typical in his way that the young
man felt that he had known them al
ways. He looked at the Rabbits strong,
patriarchial profile, and reflected how
invaluable he would be to painter of
Biblical scenes in need OF an Abraham o.
Moses.
Just then the fog whistle, whose deaf
ening below had OF late been coming at
longer intervals, burst out as If it would
rip the pipe from its fastenings. Stimuli
taneously came conclusion that sent
Relf sprawling into scmebody's lap, and
for an instant there was the sound of
crashing timbers up forward. Then, as
if the whistle had sounded the doy of
judgment, the ghosts rose from their
about the deck. Pale, dishevelled wo-
men, who but short time before had
prayed for death, slid from their steamer
chairs with surprising alacrty and be-
came suddenly and inconsistently imbued
with desire to live. The men, anxious
and wild-eyed, were crowding forward,
and every one was in the feverish state
of ignorance that reporter describes as
"a panic seemed imminent" The ap-
pearance of the ships doctor, however,
put an end to that possibility.
''There is no cause for alarm" he
said, hurriedIy, 1--WE are unhurt," and
he told them that the Dahlia had run
down a schooner and the boats would be
lowered to pick up her crew. "Look-
see there" Every one crowded to the
rail.
1t was as if the gauze curtains IN the
last act of a spectacular play were rolling
up to disclose the transformation scene.
Through the lifting fog, in glare of
white sunlight, tho wrecked vessel
fioated aimlessly about in two pieces.
There were men in her rigging-just
how many it was impossible to tell.
Every time Relf looked through his glass
he discovered new figure clinging des-
perately to the shrouds. 1t was a dreary
sight, and the time it took the Dahlia's
boats to go out to the wreck and back
seemed interminable and strangely silent
without the throbbing Of the engines.
Relf watched the rescued ones, twenty
two in all, climb over the side and dis
appear among a crowd of gaping steer
age passengers. With the exception Of
the first mate and the carpenter, who
had been lost, the shaggy headed crew
of the Lizzie Johnston were apparently
unhurt. When they reappeared, dressed
to a man in the neat blue and white OF
the Dahlia, they stood about in the
steerage, allowing themselves to be
questioned and admired with an indif-
ference worthy of more experienced
lions. They were polyglot collection
German, French, some sallow Portu-
gucsc, several Dutchmen and sprink-
ling of Americans, of whom the captain
was one. Relf took gu Immediate in-
tercst in one young fellow--not on &C.
count of the man him self exactly, for his
back was turned, and he could only see
that he was tall and well formed. 1t
was more owing to the effect ths nan
was producing on n tow-haired German
girl who was tenderly bandaging his
right wrist. She blushcd furiously when
he spoke and bent her head to hide hsi
confusion. Relf reflected that the mar
must be strikingly handsome or wa
saying unusually sweet nothings, ant
waited curiously until the operation
should be completed, hoping to see hi
face. But when the girl gave final pa
to her skilful bandage, the sailor mad
her funny little bow and went insid
without turning round.