The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-09
SHE WAS A HEROINE.

Ho ohippcI par eNCellCnCe OF the little
seaport of l..
We were great friends, he and l, and
many long summer day had 1 spent
beside tho bent old frame, watching
his rough fingers mend nets or sails with
the dizziness grown from long practice
and listening to his tales with keen en-
joyment.
But there was one incident of his life
on which he never touched, nor could
any amount of coaXing induce him to
approach it.
1t had happened while was in Eu-
rope. l found him greatly changed on
my return after six years absence.
This afternoon, for tho first time, he
betrayed willingness to confide in me.
:" 1t were nigh five years ago-the year
before the hotel was built The cove
was crowded. 1t seemed like we all had
NOR II we could make comfortable, and
the boarders was crowded inter old Miss
Hollis III way that did seem wonder
full when we heerd how they lived in
their big city homes. he'd jest bought
new sailbOat, so footer an reg
lar goer. | calculated ter make heap
out O pleasure parties an sech-an |
did. TUX the same crowd pretty reg
lar, an in time l got to know 'cm well.
they was ms nice n lot of young things
as ever cainc in my path. but they was
carelesslikc, an they didn't allays think.
The salin bothered me. They was
all over the boat at once, an nothin
1n
II grew powerful fond of 'em all,
but there WAS ono little girl TUX Il spc-
clal shine to. She wasn't very strong
hccrd tell she was Jest gcttin over a
fever. She had Il sickly look, but you
could sec she'd been bonny.
remember n trick she had of takin
OFT her cap an lcttin the wind blow her
short hair, an if the day was damp it
would curl up tight, an she'd run her
fingers through it an pull it out straight
to SEQ how it was CROWN AS | said,
She warn't very strong, an when they
all got to larkin it seemed like she
couldn't stand it, for she'd leave the
rest, an with her little polite bow she'd
como an say SO gentlclilke, Uncle Jer-
ry, do you mind If / stay hero with
your
Gradually tho rest of 'em kinder for
got her. an by an by she'd come right
away from the start, an got so used to
havin her there at my right hand that
when she staid homo | felt real lone
some. She begged me to larn her how
to steer, an when | saw sho meant it
showed her one thing and another, an
somehow she never forgot what | told
her. An one day she says TO me, I'm
Gle jerry, | believe | could sail a boat
as we'll as any one if were only strong
er. Bless her heart! I'd have trusted
her sooner'n any young Teller in tho
party if she'd had little more muscle
in her arm.
There was Il young Teller in the par.
ty named Grey. He was likely chap,
about 90. | reckon. He had lots of mon
ey, an hcerd from some of the ladies'
gals that no used to be great friend O.
Miss Mays before sho was sick. but
he was great sport, an after she begun
to go about, an he found she couldn't
do things as he did, he Jest naturally
slipped away from her and TUX to goin
with Miss Julie Webb.
Miss Julie was mighty pretty, with
frowserly light hair, Il mouth big enough
to swallow a doughnnt hull, an rows of
teeth like pearls, heard Mr.. Grey
say. She had voice like steam whis-
tie. There warn't nothin she couldn't
do except keep still, an bein Mr.. Hugh
was always doin himself they spent
most of their time together.
Miss May used to watch 'em with
that heart breakin look on her dear face
1t was the 10th of August. The month
had been very hot, and we hadn't had
any sailin breeze for four days, but that
mornin nice, stiff breeze begun to come
in from the sea. Well, | was settin in
my door mendin a sail for my catboat.
when heerd the crowd a-comin. al
ways knew 'em by Miss jules voice.
most generally could hear that by the
time they left Miss Hollis door. They
hal couple of city fellers down from
the city for the day, an nothin would do
but must take 'em sailin.
II wouldn't have gone, but Just mt
the last minute little Miss May came
up an tux NY old brown fist in her two
little white paws. an SCI she: oh, IN
Gle Jerry. do go. I'm goin homo to.
morrow. an want one more sail, an
this is my last chance.
The tide WAS iunnin ont, an the
wind WAS dnc east which made tho
white caps fly, hut put in tack and
Started for the mouth Of the bay. Just
abont the time we got ont from under
the cliffs the squall struck us, AZ saw
my inistalIe. The Foam heeled over till
her storm deck was two feet under water.
! thr' - Fer head up into the wind but
as She came around a cross sea struck