The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-07-10

A faint smile played upon the lips
Of the sinking girl in answer to this
sportive sally, and then closing her
eyes she folded her hands upon her
breast in silent prayer.
The prophetic spirit in which the
young creature had spoken was soon
apparent.
A rapid change passed over the fair
face; the power of utterance suddenly
failed; but while life fingered her
grateful and beseeching eyes were
raised to the face of Bridget, at whose
breast the little creature so soon to be
orphaned nestled in comfort.
The next night a white hammock
was lowered into the sea beneath the
solemn starlight.
The passengers and crew stood
round while the captain read the funer-
al service; his voice often faltered, and
at Intervals a deep sob was heard; it
burst from the bosom of Bridget Ryan,
who, with both children claspcd in her
arms, knelt upon the deck.
When the solemn ceremony vas over
and the fair form of Dora hal sunk
many fathoms to its deep and silent
grave, a low wall of excessive anguish
broke from the lips of Bridget.
Dora Callan, Dora Callan," she at
length uttered, with a deep %fervency Of
tone, which was in itself eloquence,
why have you gone from me-from
me whose heart loved you like it's life?
But who may keep what the Great
Maker wants? Bright be your place
among the angels. Welcome be your
fair face where all is beautiful. Och!
shall I ever forget how sweet you
were,. how kind, how loving? When
you wake from your great winding
sheet, Dora mine, may we who mourn
you 10Y meet you rejoicing"
Then her voice sank till it's murmurs
became inaudible. While rocking her.
self to and fro on the deck, she cow
cred vel the children and bathed
them in tears.
Impressed by the scene, all stood in
NNSP 0AAOASO, WdICAlu6 Iu0 ouUo1O4A6
struggle of her deep grief.
Almost unmarked, a change of
weather had gradually come on, and a
more than common: activity on board
declared that ome exigency was ap-
preaching.
Low winds seemed from afar gather
ing clouds that soon overspread the
sky, till the hollow, dismal wailings
became long bowls and hoarse shrieks,
and the darkness grew into blacklist
night. Oh, for the pen of Cooper to
portray the storm which broke above
the devoted ship, while it reeled and
staggered amid the rage of %contending
winds and rolling
The captain and crew did their duty
firmly.
Perhaps there is no energy, no u
age, superior to that of English sail
ors; no of duty so high, so per-
fectly, so nobly, fulfilled.
Vain were all their efforts; the sea
surged above the yards, sweeping down
on the doomed bark, which would
bravely rise again and again above the
briny deluge. Desperately she plowed
her way, till at midnight she became a
total wreck on one of the small islands
in D'Entrecastreaux's channel.
The morning broke at length, but it
came rather to reveal than to relieve
their distress.
When the vessel struck a shrek,
compounded of many wild voices,
pierced the thick darkness; the masts
went by the board, a rushing e swept
over the deck, carrying many of the
despairing wretches into the engullng
waters; but with the gray, drear light
of morning came a lull.
The captain, who still survived, with
some few of the passengers and crew,
felt a deep anxiety for the fate of
Bridget, and was seeking her, inquir-
ing for her, when she crept forth with
the two children in her arms.
"The bravest heart on board, by
heaven" he exclaimed, as he beheld
her.
Hope on" he continued. springing