Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-11-21
4 DRAMA OF THE SEA.

4 DRA MA 0F THE SEA.
 Deeply tonched and still quivering with emotion, I write these lines.
 Many and full of terrors are the sea tragedies enacted on this island, that is nevertheless rightly named the beauti- ful J
 Its lovable and courteous inhabitants are divided into two distinct cIasses- farmers and fishermen
 The former plant wheat, corn, oats and potatoes.
 The latter catch the sweet aeshed tunny fish, sardinos and lobsters
 Neither farmers nor fishermen ever become rich, and meat is almost un- known ill their homes
 The people are, therefore, far from strong, the women especially being ten der and delicate with straight noses, slender graceful necl1s and slow, aris- tocratic carriage.
 The men are of medium height and well built, but lack the vigor charac- terizing the peasants of Normandy
 The islanders are proud and never beg \ careful observer cannot fail to notice that among the many wrinkles which give character to their faces those written by laughter are wanting
 Both men and women have q serious and melancholy air and their foreheads seem burdened with sad memories or a certain restlessness. Has not each one q father, q brother. or Il son OH the ma Hgnant water that lies out there-out there-encircling the island everywhere as far as the eye can reach?
 Here these people have lived for con turies surrounded by q moving, agitated cemetery that smiles so alluringIy and at the same time so savagely.
 Occasionally the laughter of child in one of the huts bubbles out toward its mother working in the fields Her face lightens up for Q moment, but she dare not seem happy, for as she turns there lies the sea- and its waves sob as they roll at her feet
 
 Yesterday there stood near me a dainty little girl of l3 She shaded her eyes with one hand i'll order 10 watch as long as possible her brother, who was walking down the street leading to tine harbor of Bordery Soberly as q matron she called after him; Be careful of yourself and do not take cold Aureyoirl l Good catch T.
 The boy disappeared, and his sister returned to arrange her little household for the homo coming of both her broth CTS, IS the three were orphans to whom the state paid small pension
 The girl was dressed i'll mourning, Father and Mother Gouenantin having died two years before-he in the hospi- tai after , days of cruel suffering caused by the poisonous sting of fish, sho a few days later from consumption and grief
 Yes. there they lived. the three or phans Tine elder brother aged IS, had arisen at daybreak to be ready fer his share of sardines, and the other, lad of }, was just to depart with his cousin Pierre Mario to catch lobsters
 Tho three companions. Pierre Marie Gouenantin, Eugene Gonenantn, the orphan. and Michel Samzun, boarded a little boat. L ltnfant du Desert, hoistcd it's pale blue sail and disappeared
 
 The heavens were slightly misty, the wind came out of the west. and 1. sit ting on the rocks, looked before mo, dreaming the endless dreams born of the changeless yet ever changing sea as one gazcs into its depths, full of charm and mystery.
 Faraway cries caused me to turn my head and look about
 4 flock of screaming sea gulls flying above me had attracted my attention was just about to leave the rocks when new cries reached my ears These were piteous and broken like the sobs of child arose and, locking toward the island where the lighthouse of Poulains stands saw Mother Le Pelletier. the wife of the lighthouse keeper, down on her knees waving her handkerchief, weeping and calling for help
 Workmen. busy Ill the neighhorhood, saw the woman just as l did In few moments tho little island was crowded with people
 N nat palnIul. what terrifying spectacle!
 Opposite the point of the island. 300 meters from land, lay the boat L En- fant du Desert capsized Her sails were under water, and on her keel. which rose iii the air. clrng Eugene Gouenan- tin the orphan His face was Us pale as n winding sheet, his eyes were closed. and his head, playth for the waves. swayed from right to left With my telescope l could follow the entire de yelopment of the tragedy
 The ehild had become helpless and was just about 10 loosen his hold of the boat Right near him lay Michel sam gun. clasping the edge of the keel con. ynlsiyely crying continually for help