Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-01-14
THE LlGHT-KEEPER's SON.

THE LlGHT-KEEPER'S SON.
\ long, narrow strip of land belong
ING to the Canadian government and
iutting out into the Gulf Of ST. Law
renee, was, at the time I write Of,
known by theappropriate title Of Cape
Hurricane.
On account Of the dangerous condi-
tion Of the coast, a'magnihcent light
house had been built at the extreme
point Of the cape, and hard by stood
the cottage of the keeper, an old sea-
faring man, named Samuel Johnstone'
Besides two daughters, he had four
sons, the youngest ofwhom, Hale, aged
II years, is the hero Of my story.
One day in the early part of Sep
tember, the boys and girls, with the
exception Of Hale, drove about ten
miles inland, for the purpose Of being
present at a wedding the same even
ing.
Samuel Johnstone, who was a wild
over, was consequently left alone with
his little son.
As night approached, the former
perceived, with some anxiety, that the
sky was overcast by heavy clouds, that
a cold, wet wind was blowing from the
north, and the experienced mariner at
once concluded that a great storm was
impending.
"Hale, he said, entering the cot
tage and addressing the boy, who was
reading by the open fireplace, run
down to the cove and pull up your
skit' high and dry. You'll never sail
| the little Sea Gull again, if tonight's
storm strikes her.
"All right, father the boy replied,
with alacrity, for he would not lose
his swift and beautiful little pleasure
boat for the world. "I'll take care ot
the Sea Gull. VIII you light the
lamp ."
Yes. Hfrry up, my boy; for the
storm is breaking already God help
those at sea tonight, The wIccker.
Will be happy in thelaorning.
1t may be well to remark here that
along the barren shores Of Cape Hur-
ricane were scattered the cabins of fug-
tive Indians, outcasts from their tribes
and here and there might be seen the
.hanty of some fisherman, who could
act also the roles of smuggler and
wrecker when occasion required.
Hale found his task Of placing the
Sea Gull beyond danger more difficult
than he imagined.
Hence, it was some time before he
was ready toreturn to the cottage, ano
when he turned his steps in that di,
rection, the wind was howling dismal.
ly, the waves were already lashed into
a fury, and the spray from the rocks
dashed over the boy, drenching hin
to the skin.
The lighthouse lamp, constructed oil
the revolving plan, now flashed it.
radiance through the intense ddrknes.
of the night, at intervals OF minute
duration
Hove a lighthouse, whether glisten
ing white and beautiful, kissed by the
purIing ripples Of gentle sea, anc
bathed in the golden sunshine Of
summer day, or standing firm and in
vincible, lashed- by the angry surge
breasting the tempests wrath, an
lifting its fre-ciowned head into the
black, laundering midnight sky 7,
me II is at once an emblem of the in,
finite peace which accompanies virtue
and Of the grand, sublime courage
which resists temptation.
Hale stopped suddenly with an ez.
clamation Of surprise and fear as he
approached the cottage Something
had happened which made the boy
blood run cold, and drove the ruddy
color from his healthy face.
He crept up to the window and
looked in. One glance, and he under.
stood all. -Four wreckers, awkward,
ly disguised with masks of canvas, had
captured and bound the keeper, wrest'
ing from him at the same time the great
iron key of the lighthouse.
These men, for the sake of the booty
cast up by the hungry, merciless waves
intended to sacrifice hundreds of hu.