Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-02-01
MY INDIAN So MINER.
A Pretty Romance Of the North
Coast Of ireland.

''Mackerell Fresh mackerell Want
any, siF2 Just caught last night" and
the basket OF shining fish was laid
down for my inspection. In q few min
utes half dozen fine fellows were
transferred to my keeping, and then,
shouldering his basket with bow and
smile, he was off, and the fresh,
clear, young voice rang out again
"Mackerell Fresh mackereln
This was my first introduction to
Ben, and 1t took place at small fish
ing village on the north coast of Ire
land, where had chosen to spend my
summer holidays, on account of its
quiet seclusion from the big world I
was tired Of / had noticed the lad
before, standing among the other lads
about the landing place, and had
been irresistibly 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, oil seemed to take part in his
laugh. That was just Ben all round
what he did he did heartily.
In a few days l found myself taking
a keener interest in the lad than had
taken in any person for many 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, musty cupboard, in secret
chamber of my heart, Of which I had
lost the key. II such was the case how
ever, Ben found 1t for me. He was
about fourteen, and as fine lad as ever
delighted u mothers heart, with way
of throwing back his head and looking
straight out of those glowing eyes Of
his thet made one inwardly remark
HWhat splendid material for manhood
lies behind those eyes" II was the
same halS'uaconsciols gesture Of throw
ing back the head that first led me to
notice and then to love Ben, for, fRV
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 a magnet
followed Ben about for week,
sometimes catching a glimpse Of him
rowing p boat, with long, steady strokes;
someRmss sbouldering his basket OF
fish, as I had trst seen him; and on the
Sabbath I 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 q steep fight OF
stone stairR--s most disagreeable task
on q wet day. In this weRtherybeaten
little building was seated on sabbath
morning, watching the worshipers take
their places in the hlgh-backed pews.
The service began, and what was my
surprise to see my friend Ben stand up
TO lead the singing, with all the COM
posuEs Of an old and trained singer.
The sweet, gladi,tonsd young voice rang
full and clear, and the congregation
caught up the melody, which over
flowed the building and Hoated out in
sweet sound waves over the quiet
graves outside, where slept those who
had once worshiped within these walls.
Passicnately fond Of music as I am, ]
could not sing that morning. I could
only listen TO the lsrllilSe notes, and
watch the play Of the young sipgeFt
EacG ~
During the service I noticed q woman
far back in the church to whom the
boy was evidently taeag, for the dark
eyes watched him with q Rofteped Nghl
shining In them. I waited after tbe
service for Ben, and found this woman
waiting too. Ben's curls were uncov-
cred Ia q moment at my greeting, and
with simple neutrality-suspicious. he in
PRODUCED his companion 90 AUNT
Mary" - t& lt'
The face I now looked on for the
first time was strong, true face, with
J D tsisd soul behind it. This I knew at
the fFst glance, resolved to cult
vate the aeapafRtRRsYes Az found what
I expected IN Mar" Me- sIllisteE-,-a
grand, true woman, we'll lifted to de-
velop the fine material in the boy abe
loved 80 tenderly, E, $50