Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-02-25

hriv IL came like a Kiss Of salutation,
henediotiop. a promise Of life. Then, as the
M, rose sloyly. monarch OF the world, aud
the waves OF light ineypressibly beautiful
and holy came rolling toward me, was
ready to CRY out in worship. God, how
sweet Is life after death-paradise after the
ptl There nre those-Iniscrblep 0soph
efE-wio ask with sapient wisdom whether
lie is worth living Toss them into danger,
aud dare say they will lind AN answer TO
their silly question.
With my new found strength tried the
screws which had bnfIled me in tbs night.
Joy succeedcd joy-thry yielded, and the
port oponed. Then thrust out my head
well up to the shoulders and drew long.
deep breath, which was as meat to the
starving and drink to the parchcd. Again
and again sucked in the delicious cordial,
feeling its grateful effects in the uttermost
filters OF my frame. When / had inhaled
till was dizzy, leaned forward as far rs
could and Toasted my eyes on the glittering
water now rolling la2ily In big smooth bill
lows that rocked the brig almost as gently
asamother rocks the cradle OF her llrstborn.
know not whetherit was the reculiarity
Of my disease or whether the newborn
hope gave such fresh vitality to my system
as enabled it to throw the fever of, OF
whether 1t was owing to AN extra dose OF
auiniue | had taken from II box Of pills
which Mr.. Watson had left me, but from
that time began TO inprovcrppidly. True
after the first delirium Of Joy had pnR7ed
there came d short period Of depression aud
relapse, hut stroyo to kespup my courage,
and the feeling Of couyalescence soon re-
turned.
Ny Improvement may be judged from the
| fact that ere long ] began to think there
are worse things in the world than NOR
eel of food. got ont Of my berth, and aft-
( err some rumRgiug on hands and knees
| discovered a box Of biscuits for happily
had ample provisions ON board, the crow 90
their departure having been more afraid of
drowning than Of getting hungry. My fare
was rather dry, and not no much as might
be supposed TO suit the taste OF It sick per-
son, but | gnawed with so much relish
that When the FIRST biscuit was done took
up another; il, too, was finished. Then l
took drink Of water bathcd my hands
Hud head and felt much revived.
So much was restored indeed that It oc-
cured to me to go on deck, and take my
recl,ouings, and see how the crippled bris
looked, and perhaps hoist signal Of dis
trcss. But that proving un enterprise still
ful Of fresh air and returned to he'd. Lying
there tried to judge Of the ships condi-
ton by her movements, but these guided
me to no conclusion save what ! might
have arrived at without taking them into
overwhelmingly, that since she had float
ell through the storm she might continue
TO float In the calm and that might still
be saved. So my courage remained good.
That day passed IN Il sort of dream, suf-
fering somewhat from thirst, which fire.
quently slukod, hut otherwise almost free
from pain. My head, which had greatly
troubled me in the earlier stages Of the dis
ease, WAS now clear, albeit occasionally
rather light. continued TO enjoy the
boon of fresh air, having by this time
opened every port | could get at.
When night fell, was lonely, but nm
troubled by the multitude OF horrors which
had weighed upon me all the previous
night. Nor on this second night was
doomed to darkness During my percgri.
nations in the day had found an oil lamp,
, which, after careful trimming and light
ing, ! swung rom a rope in the center Of
r the cabin, On the approach of darkness
! lighted IL, then lay and waited for the
/, rats, feeling certain they would repeat
their visit. Nor was disappointed.
i After awhile henrd suppressed
e squeak, then furtive scraping, aud half a
r minute later whislered gentleman peered
r cautiously in to see how matters might
s stand. Being In a fantastic humor called
s on him to enter, which, Of course, had the
: effect OF sending him instantly into hiding.
{ But presently he came back, bringing a
Z companion with him TO Keep up his heart
Z and the two standing just outside the door
/ cooked their halds very wisely and sur.
I veyed the apartment. Then they retired as
II for consultation, then came advancing
o boldly into the center Of the floor, but
y catching sight Of me scamperod of in
l. great alarm When they returned aftel
5 the space Of some minutes, they were &C
compauied by numerous friends, and the
e entire body reconnotered, now advancing
o now retiring, aud all the time keeping up
6 running commentary Of squeaks.
o | threw a shower Of crumbled biscuit
s. with which had provided myself, on til,
) floor, and they made OIL again: but, gain
n ing courage, presently they came back
II and with many cautious looks and squeak
d ing whispers began tentatively to nibbie
y The second shower disturbed them les.
" than the tirst, the third less than tue sec
10 ond, and the fourth hardly az all BY thu
time the sixth fell they were quite ut homi
" and feasting royalty. | should say thu
o. whole company did not number more that
lie a score, though to judge by the chatte
IS there might have been several hundreds
u Tie banquet lasted for fully half an hour
&c and am sure the host enjoyed il quite a!
d much as the guests. Having finished tn,
l feast they Slipped quietly away, judginl
Is it good manners evidently to take thei
1t departure with as little fuss as possible.
A Next night they returned with incrcuse,
ID confidence and good will, and indeed ever,
N night so long as we remained on the bril-
Is they came to cheer my solitude and en-
their supper. We gradually got 80 famil
lt iarthnt toward the close OF our strange com
!. partnership they oyucod no fear or bashful
a ness whatever in my presence, but ate MS
I'd they knew they were welcome, hardly eve
" getting out OF my way when moved nbou
N the cabin, Had we continued long enougl
le together am confident could not onl
10 have taught them 10 love ue, but to gam
to Dol and perform tricks As IL was, the
y. knew my evening whistle and would com
'n with questioning eyes and looks OF expet
III tation to have their meals.
~ Mean~ hilethe Bird Of Paradise CONTINUES
Cd miTaellouslyto dost. Many days passed er