The Penn's Grove record., 1896-05-15
WRECK OF THE
PRISCILLA.

ed to defy the challenge Of the roaring
storm.
The aeet of small fishermen had sour
ried to a safe anchorage early In the
afternoon.
MAY God help any ship and crew
that gets on a Ice shore tonight, lads,
soberly remarked Capt. Josh" Hard
ing. of the lifeboat, to a few of his men,
as he stepped to the door and peereJ
out into the opaque darkness.
The Government at this time had not
erected the neat, cozy, live saving sta
ton with all Its modern appliances 10
rescue n crew from a stranded ship
which now adorns the long, barren
stretch of sand, but the crew were
members of the fishing fleet, and al
ways volunteered their services with
out promise of reward. A whale boat
served their purpose then, and many
q despairing sailor had good cause to
praise her s]tanchness and the bravery
of her iron-hearted crew.
A flash Of lightning in the early even
ing had revealed a large bark trying to
weather the wreck-bestrewn, fatal
Handkershoal, which caused the bluff,
rugged mariner to utter the foregoing
remarks.
Where is John Lawrence, tonight,
lads? He Is generally here a night
like this" he continued in an anxious
tone.
'.John's wife ain't very well, Cap'n;
30 | heered as / cum daOwn," answered
Reuben Dnvis, one of the crew.
well, 20 w a couple of yen see. l
should hate to man the boat without
John. Hos never missed u trip yet
said Capt. Harding. pacing the small
room which served them as n shelter
from the storm md was located on the
beach. with the boat drawn up outside
1ust above the reach of the kissing,
seethiug waters, which seemed to re-
cede with drspairing means at failing
70 drag 1t into their depths.
By the bedside of his wife, holding
her thin, wasted hand between the
large, horny palms of his own. sat John
Lawrence, one Of the brayest of the
volunteers.
.4Oh. If I rauld hut see Tom once
more I could - easy, John sAe
hoarsel7 wA.S-.rsi
The i.,ls ErHe Mary. N We don't
know where Is lin nigh ontrr tew
year senyp / ltfro,l he'd shipped in the
fo'cas-tle fo~ ;la West luiies, n l1
hasn't writ n word hum sence."
~ know h.. vas n bad bow, JOHN.
Rut don't vou think now that Won WAS
q little hard ON hi,uf" she continued,
"un wos plI we had you know"
The large eyes ullrd with tears, and
the frail form shook and trembled with
emotion, as the mother pleaded for her
hayward hoy.
81 don't know what's the matter With
-FOUR wife, John. It's either n clear case
of broken heart or some new disease.
Medicine don't seem to reach it, the
doctor had said upon leaving n few
hours before.
You'll forgive him when I'm gone,
John, won't YOU? He didn't mean to he
bad!' she said between her SobS.
At this moment the door softly open
ed and the captains messenger
stepped IN
John, there's n Dark thet 0att
weather th'f ian kerchi l. 'ier
Cap'n sent us artcr ye'' SAID Davis
ITS no use boys; can leave her Ter
night. N wouldn't be mere when l
got back said Lawrence softly rub
bling his eyes ana motiohing toward the
white cot
The sick woman partly raised herself
and In gasping tones bade heI husband
to go. They are some mothers boys
John. Perhaps someone VIII do 1t for
John. I'll sleep while You are gone"
she pleaded.
"Pn go, Mary, N eff Tom ever gifts
hum he's f~urgiven," said Lawrence,
husklly, as he kissed her, and, putting
on his storm suit, went out into the
night with his heart lying like II stone
in his bosom.
tShnin he hpttpr Iphn mnVhp Uhnn