The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-07-21
How Annie Fought the Fire


girl entirely alone. There were but
very few passengers aboard, for the
weather was extremely bad and the
yoyagers were poor sea-going folks.
Annie wandered about the lumber
ing vessel, looking with open-eyed Won
derment at the many strange sights
her very first tour of inspection, she
met gruf Captain Bard
''Hello!' exclaimed the Captain;
FWhom have we here?'
I'm Annie Rollins, and my mamma
IS sick"
sspszsss sspszsssssAnd-rwhat-are YOU doing, NissaaAn-s
nie?" asked the captain.
''Tm just looking around. You know
l never was on a vessel before, except
Uncle Wills skiff at home"
Then the big captain, who had cou-
pie Of little girls at home in snug
harbor in old England, brushed his
stiff beard against Annie's cheek, and
taking her by the hand said:
''You come with me; I'll show you
the ship. You shall be my chief officer
on this voyage. With little fairy like
you aboard we should have fine wealth
er and quick trip"
Hand in hand the captain and Annie
first visited the steward This guar
dian of all delicacies and sweets Of ca
tering to the wants of the small pas
senger and promptly showing ner
where she could always find quantity
of luscious fruit.
After awhile the captain took Annie
upon the bridge, holding her as care
fully as if she were a child of his own
and then he carried her to the helms
mans room.
The little girl was greatly astonished
when she saw the simple means by
which the great vessel was guided, and
although the captain tried to explain to
her just how the machinery worked
she had but confused ideas of the ar
rangement.
BY and by dinner was announced and
the captain and Annie went down into
the big saloon together, and the little
maid was placed at the captains right,
the place Of honor, and ate so heartily
of the good things set before her that
the kind captains heart was filled with
joy.
Thus it came to pass that Annie be-
came the bright ray of sunshine aboard
the ocean liner, and wherever her
bright eyes rested there was happiness
and at least temporary flight Of grief
and trouble. No matter how hard the
wind blew or the seas raised, the las
sizes bright smile would lift all dull
care from the breast of Captain Bard
After the voyage from New York to
Liverpool had been about one-half ac-
complished the vessel ran into storm.
The black clouds rolled up from the
northwest and with them came wind in
faa1.fI1 fructS and rain. in shoots Tho
roar Of thunder and binding streaks Of
lightning helped to make that most
awe-inspiring sight-a storm in mid
ocean.
Annie had such confidence in the cap
tain and vessel that she did not feel
one bit frightened, but thought the
necessary parts of a voyage over the
Atlantic. Not so, however, with her
mamma, confined in her berth below;
about to go to the bottom, and after
the miserable way Of seasick people,
rather relished the idea. She thought
that on the bottom at least, she would
find land
Annie grew weary as little girls will,
of her mammals meanings and slipped
out of the stateroom and cautiously felt
her way to the saloon. The place was
deserted. for the fearful tossing of the
vessel had driven to bay even those
voyagers for whom the sea in moder-
ately bad weather had no terrors.
Annie knew she should not venture
on deck in search of her friend the cap
tain SO decided that she would make
the steward call The rocking was so