Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-05-20

dren. and you will deal by this little
ono as II 1t were one OF your own. Nay.
| my lads. stand. aside: three OF us will
be enough. And II there is a drop of
rum or brandy among you which you
intended to keep to yourself. hand 1t
over. for charity's sake"
With q face that rIvaled the bright
glow Of the fire in redness the most
careless and drunken fellow In our
crew. Tom Wren. pulled flask of
| spirits from the bosom OF his shirt and
placed 1t on the ground.
Bravo. Tom Wrenv' said I, "and
thank you. my lad. There is not much
| I'll not forgive you for this"
Tenderly. and with all reverence, We
commenced our task Of endeavoring to
bring life into the unconscious body.
ana those whose assistance was not
needed stood apart watching us. with
their hearts and souls In their eyes;
and some Of them prayed. am sure.
Around the little girls neck was an
oilskin bag. so securely fastened that
the water had not been able to get to
the contents. This was the first thing
l removed from her. and Tom Wren.
opening the bag. called out that there
were books inside. Patiently and with
all the gentle skill We could command.
we pursued our task. with heaven on
our side; for we had not been at work
half an hour when Starley. with his
ear to the child's heart, screamed like
a man In frenzy:
Her heart beats! She lives-she
lives!"
mo noise. no nolse. / cried, as the
men began to huzza; you might friSh-
ten the life out OF her. Fall on your
knees. rather. and thank the Lord In
silence for his mercy. All. my girl! II
l had been SO blessed with Bob. and II
the two Of you had lived"
The eyelids quivered and slowly un-
closed. and then. with faint sigh.
closed again. mixed some water with
brandy, and placed It to her lips.
Drink, my child" said.
She drank gratefully. and ate lit
tie biscuit soaked for her. We con-
tinucd our task until the blood began
to circulate freely. and then she opened
her eyes again. and gazed before her
with a vacant wonder In her face.
Pearl" said in u whisper, with my
face to her lips. do YOU know me:"
She raised her weak arms, and I
placed them round her neck. She lay
in my lap. restored to life, with the
warm blood flowing through her veins.
do you remember little Bob?"
whispered again.
Bob" she replied. after n pause, and
speaking very slowly and softly.
Where is dear Bob? Oh. have been
so cold, and 1t is SO warm here. Yes,
mother; l won't forget. God protect
those who are sailing on the sea. Oh.
the cruel. cruel sea! want to go to
sleep. May go to sleep"
"Yes, my child"
All of the men bent over US with ten
der, wistful looks. and some ventured
to touch her face softly with their
lips. I did not restrain them. She
seemed to sleep. but consciousness had
not quite deserted her; and presently
her lips moved, and she murmured
dreamily, in her sweet child-like voice,
the dear familiar prayer:
"Our Father which art in heaven"
At these holy words, falling softly and
sweetly from one who had been
snatched from death within the last
hour, and who now floated into
heavenly sleep, the thoughts of every
man present flew back to the days OF
his childhood.
"Our Father which art in heaven"
said Tom Wren, in an awe-struck
tone; and we all repeated the words
solemnly.
"Hallcwed be thy name." continued
the child more softly and dreamily
still.
"Hallowed be thy name." Tom Wren
repeated, and we followed him. ST.
lence ensued. Exhausted nature was
struggling for supremacy, and between
every word the child thereafter mur-
INJURED there was a pause OF a moment
or two.
"Thy-kingdom-
"Thy kingdom come" said we, with
clasped hands, and heads bent in rever-
ence.
"Thy will-be done-on earth"
"Thy will be done on earth"
LAS it is-as 1t is-in heaven"
"As it is in heaven"
And with these last words. so softly
uttered that they died away like an
angels whisper the moment they
reached her lips, Pearl turned slightly
in my arms, SO that her face was hid
den on my breast. and. with her arms
still clasped about my neck, fell into
a calm and peaceful sleep.
Tom Wren. STOPPING over us, his
shadow stretching behind him like
weird, fantastic monster. waited a mo-
ment or so. and then saying. World
without end. Amenw burst into vio-
lent fit of weeping.
Hush. my lad!' l whispered, with
my finger to his lips; you'll wake
her." ~
He checked himself suddenly, eud
sobbed: God bless her, and you, and
all of us. Goodnight, mattel"
Goodnight. my lad. Go you, and
rest There's work before us tomor-
row."
He crept to the opposite side of the
fire, his monstrous shadow shrinking
and melting in the deeper gloom as he
stole softly away; and lying down. he
with the others soon were sleeping.
After a time /, too, slept; and the stars
.Aono m , hand ~ oh nwrecked wAary