Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-09-21
A BACkWOODS HERO.

Upon the northern shore of Lake Su- pcTior, sIuugGled in between sun tipped hills, is small village known best for its numbering and shipping industries. \ long neck of narrow land forms n natural brcakwatcr and thus guards and protects the small town from Neptune wrath Tine harbor is scarcely more than two miles wide and four long, but is celebrated for it's uncomfortable cur rents, jagged hidden rocks and Aprilish moods
 On this neck of land are scattered q few houses. all inhabited by lovers of the sea and natures work and surround ed by dense groves of swaying pines. One day few years ago there came from one of these houses a dark eyed young woman whose skin was rough encd from the fierce lake winds and whose hands showed only too plainly that hard, coarse work bcfell her lot. Her boots were heavy, like those of a man. Her gown was not only i'll fitting. but sadly behind tho times as regards style and lacking by several inches its prupcr length, and on her head was drawn down closely over her ears q mans felt hat. Yet. notwithstanding these proofs of the unc0uth woman, there Was certain indescribable some thing about her gypsylike face that be- told the possession of fine mind and strong. unbcnding character. It was neither the soft brown eyes nor the smiling mouth, for her features were ex- tremCly plain. and the straight fringe of hair that tcnirilcd out now and then from under the curved hat brim gave the round checks a ghaStlincSS that remind cd one shivCringly of witches and gob- lins and evil spirits In her arms she carried pair of oars, wrapped in q small sail. Around her feet frOlicked several kittens. and huge black and white dog bounded along beside her.
 She walked slowly toward small dock that fiO1ted unsteadily out into the bay. \ fiat bottomcd boat, with a splin- tcrlikc mast and no bOwsprit, bumped against tn. d0ck now and then with q soft rubbing and nudging that was as soothing a$ Il mothers evening lullaby.
 1t looks pretty threatening, seems to me-" the girl murmurcd to herself. This here bay is always ready to cut up its mouk,y shines just when folks wants it Ia brllavc itself. If it wasn't for daddy coming home tonight, and mother sick. and nothing much to eat ill the house. believe Id give up going acro-S fur the crOccricS-' Then, notic- ing parting of the thick bushes that bord'rcd the pathway and catching q passing glimpse of a faded yellow hat, she called out. Hello, Jimr'
 Tn" next moment she was joined by q stalwLrt young man, with tho whole some appearance of a aCombination farm CT and sailor.
 ''Cioin., to sail over to the point, Meg l.c asked.
 "Y,s-, Nuu can i,O If you want to" she replied. with r,i<chicvous eyes and twitciiug lips. T guess 'twon't be the first time that the little dory has carried two paSSeuS, rs.
 Wed better hurry, rcckon," re- joined Jim The old lake is a-raging. and the bay looks q bit i'll tempered now. We'll have n laundering old storm before next sunrise, and shouldn't be surprised if it arrived before midnight. "
 Together they hoisted the sail, adjust ed the ruCIsl,r and unfastened the lines
 Jim seated himself in the stern, Meg dropped down on the seat in the center of the boat so as to lower and raise the Ccnt,rl,,ard, as Captain Jim ordered, and "fT they sailed like bird let loose from captivity Both were good sailors, and the. simple fact that huge wave dClu-, q them now and then added zest to the sport.
 II say. Meg" began Jim as they plunged through towers of foam and | rocked and swayCd in the pillows, don you think you re mighty hard on a fellow: Three years Is long time, and time d'ss change folks and things So. Anyhow I don't see what you' Fro driving at. I've known you since you were knee high to a grasshOpper, and don't like the idea of losing you after all these wears of work and waiting | Your dad and your mother are willing. | you say you don't dislike me. and you l know what I think of yOu. Come, now. tell me your reasons for this three years l waiting business
 II suppose my reasons are silly" :" | Meg answered slowly and with irritating deliberatiou. 'But. you see, that year at Miss Banker spoiled me. Even if I was nothing but q parlor maid, I got ] many burs. 1 don't always want to live this way. I've spent every cent I've had on the books, and Miss Banker has helped me lots. want to be educated and know how to talk. long to be able to be like the town girls, not 90 far as dress goes, but it's the schooling that I want. When 1 read about those clever women who paint and write and teach. it makes me think that my world Is too small and cramped to ever grow any bigger unless I break away soon. I love the water. and the woods, and the damp earth itself, but am wild to be up and doing and working at something that will not end today just as it did yester- day and will again tomorrow. D.
 A violent breeze struck the small dory just then, tipping it perilously and send ing the girl $ hair flying ill a still wilder fashion. It was soon followed by anoth- CT, and the third raised the small sail until 1t stood round and erect like fun mel shaped cone of white canvas
 4 queer grating sound beneath, g cracking of wood and iron and stone, and the rudder was wrenched from Jim's hand. Words were not necessary just then. Each realized that they two were being toyed with and tossed around like helpless straws. The sail was un manageable, and the lost rudder Jeff them entirely at the mercy of the winC and waves.
 Come here with me!' Jim crieG hoarsely as he reached for the shiverinl bundle with the flying hair and fright ened eyes. He drew Meg toward him all the time keeping firm hold on thu line that prevented the sail from flap ping more desperately.