The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-06

HER HEAD WAS FosILO 70 HIS BREAST.
sence o. self was overshadowed by the
presence of the Infinite hen the mid
night tide flowed he had reached that Sc
rene depth OF the soul which enabled aim
to rise to his feet and say, "Thy will be
done.
Ii is 20 years since Sophy -shroudel in
white, her hands full OF honey suckios -
was laid TO rest In the little wind d-blown
kirkyard OF Pittcncraigie. Some said
Braelands watched thefuneral from aisr;
others that he lay ravlng and tossing with
fever in his bed but thIs,-or that. ne
was not present at her burial. Her own
kin-who were fishers laid the light
coffin upon bier made OF oars and car
ried Ii with psalm singing TO the grave.
10 was Andrew who threw on the coffin
tho first earth; ii was Andrew who pes,
sed the cover of green turf over the small
mould and did the last tend er Offices that
Love can offer. And 1t was Andrew who
was the real widower. Btaelands mar
ried again, married proud, masterful.
rich woman, who paid In full all Sophy's
wretched debt of petty Jealousy ana OPP
pTessions to Roth mother and son. But
Andrew kept the memory Of his first love
as purely and tenderly as mother keeps
the memory of her dead babe. And as
love so vital must find some expression,
Andrew naturally began to east about for
some way in which to homer sophy's
memory.
1t came to him suddenly ono Sabbath
morning, when he walked up to the kiIk-
yard. A slender shaft of white marble
had been placed at the head of Sophy's
grave, and BraelaDds stood looking at 1t,
Andrew walked fowrard, till only the
little green mound divided them. Their
eyes met and filled with tears; they
clasped hands above her grave. and then,
without n word, each went his own way.
But though Andrew was pleased that
Braelands should thus honor his wife's
memory, he was resolved TO still more
nobly keep her name in the hearts o,
her people. He was making money rap
idly, and as his project would need much
money, he saved with conscientious care
sor many a year ere he could compass his
desire.
This was to build q mission ship for the
deep sea fishermen; and after twelve
years work and saving the ship was built
"a strong cam launch, able TO buffet
and bear the North Sea pillows. She was
provided with all appliances for religious
comfort and instruction, with medicine
for the sick, with surgical help for the
wounded, with all necessary protection
against the agonizing ''sea blisters"
which torture the fishers in the winter
season. This vessel OF many comforts
was called "The Sophy Traill, F" and she
is still busy about the work of mercy.
Many other mission ships now traverse
the great fishing fleets OF the North sea,
but none are SO well-beloved by the fish
ermen as the "Little So ophy." When the
boats lie at their nets on summers
night II Is on the "Little Sophy" that
Crock OF Ages is started, and then ta-
ken up by the whole fleet. When the
stormy winds OF winter blow great guns,
then the "Little Sophy," flying her
bright colors in the daytime, and show
ing her many lights at night, Is always
rolling about among the boats; blowing
her whistle to tell them she Is near by,
or sending of help i'm her lifeboat, or
steaming nter smack in distress.
She Is the pride and the JOY OF An
drew's heart; she has consecrated that
passion for boarding money which was
the weak side OF his character; she has
given to his dedd love a blessed memory
In the hearts of thousands and "a name
far better than that OF sons and OF
daughters. "
(THE END