Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-02-25

| talking. A kind oil peace seemed TO
have come over him and he was no
longer restless as before. Soon Sam
arose and, saying something about the
| light from the lamp shining on the
woman's face, took il up TO move il,
Harold's attention being called to the
| fact, he glanced III her direction, when
he gave a start, grasped the lamp ANA
moving toward her. throwing the light
across her face he peered narrowly into
it, Then, without word, he returned,
placed the lamp upon the table, 8no
trembling violently, dropped his face
| into his hands with a groan.
Sam looked his amazement, and
was about to speak when sound If
wheels was heard. He went TO the
door and saw the doctor approaching,
After examining the patient, the doc
tor said she seemed to have received a
blow on the head anG that she would
probably remain unconscious for some
time, There appeared to be nothing
else the matter, except that her nerves
seemed to have been shattered by
some terrible fright. She must be
kept perfectly quiet for some time to
come, he said. He did all IN =
power for her and made her comfort
able, and then said he would send his
mother up to take care Of her, His
mother was sort OF nurse for the
whole village, and nerver lost an OPP
portunity to do good In due time the
doctor returned with kind old Mrs.
Benton, who was Immediately in
stalled.
Days passed, and the men returned
to their work in the village. The two
sailors had taken the train for dis
tant city aud nothing more had been
heard Of the wreck; no more people
were rescued, and no bodies found. 1t
was supposed they had all been lost
and the excitement Quieted down ana
life went Oh again in its old grove
1t was asked of Sam by the towns
people what he should do when the
woman recovered, and what was to be
come of the little boy; but he would
answer cheerfully, that time would SET.
tie all things. Sam and the little boy
strolled on the sands after supper
every evening, ana the former would
comfort his charge and ask him ques-
tons OF his home and parents One
evening he was questioning the boy as
usuel. Were his parents with him al
the time of the wreck? No. His
mother had died a year ago when he
j Will I'm az
the ship: but the little fellow had not
seemed to wish to speak of him The
night Of the wreck, Willie had hidden
away, just as his father was to get
into the small boat. and come with the
lady. Sam asked him If his father had
not missed him. ThL boy looked up
into Sans honest face, with his large,
blue innocent eyes:
Did my father miss me?' He re-
piled wondaringly. "He never let me
be with him much. He did not want
me-" And the little lad crept closer
to Sam, ana looked up contidngly.
You want me to be with you, don't
you? And | am going to stay with YOU
always and call you papa, may ! not?
And with a frightened cry, he threw
himself into Sans large, strong arms,
and pleaded
You won't send me away, will you?
Sam hesitated but moment.
No." he replied gently, as he folded
the little orphan tenderly in his arms
you shall stay with me always and be
my little son."
After that, when the villagers asked
what he meant TO &c with the boy, he
replied with beaming face, that he
guessed the little shaver was all right
where he was, for while at least.
Meantime Harold was q changed
man. He would look anxiously at
Mrs. Benton every time he returned
home to see if there was any change in
the patient. She had recovered con-
seriousness once or twice and look ed
about in dazed way, and then relapsed
into a long, dreamless sleep. This
state of things went on for a week.
At the end of that time Hal. came
home one evening in his usual silent
mood, but instead of going off alone to
the mountains, as was his habit now,
he strolled out with Sam and the little
boy. Sam was surprised. but glad Of
the change in his friends manner, and
waited for him to speak. After look
ing out to sea for long time he said:
Send the little fellow to bed, Sam.
l have something to say to YOU"
Sam wonderingly babe the boy go,
and himself went to the door with
him. When he returned, they walked
silently up and down for a long time,
before Hal commenced. At length he
began
Sam. do you remember our talk a
week or 30 ago. that night OF the storm,
when / told you OF the past? Now,
can not help 1t any longer. must
speak; and II it will help you any, you
can tell your story too
Sam looked troubled and replied
"All right, pard. Fire ahead. Or
III tell mine first II you wish to kind
OF get you started. 1t will take less
time and I'll be glad to get over.