The Press., 1898-02-03
A DRAMA OF THE SEA.

Deeply touched and still quivering with emotion, 1 write these lines. Many and full of terrors are the sea tragedies enacted on this island, that is nevertheless rightly named the "beauti- ful.
 Its lovable and courteous inhabitants are divided into two distinct classes farmers and fishermen.
 and potatoes.
 The latter catch the sweet feshed funny fish, sardines and Holsters. Neither farmers nor fishermen ever become rich, and meat is almost un- known in their homes. The people are, therefore, far from strong. the women especially being ten der and delicate, with straight noses, slender, graceful necks and a 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 A 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 a serious and melancholy air, and their foreheads seem burdened with sad memories or a certain restlessness Has not each one 8 father, a brother, or a son on the ma lignant water that lies out there-out there-enclrcIing the island everywhere as far as the eye can reach? | Here these people have lived for cen | HT7r 1nI hx,o I cemetery that smiles so alIuringly and at the same time so savagely l Occasionally the laughter of child in one of the huts bubbles out toward its mother working in the fields Her face lightens up for moment. but she dare not seem happy. for as she turns there lies the sea. and it's waves sob as they roll at her feet.
 
 1 Yesterday there stood near me a dainty little girl of l3 She shaded her eyes with one hand in order to watch as long as possible her brother, who was walking down the street leading to the harbor of Bordery Soberly as matron she called after him: Be careful of yourself and do not take cold Au revoir | 0OOO C<1tCA!
 The boy disappeared, and his sister returned to arrange her little household for the home coming of both her broth CTS. as the three were orphAns to whom the state paid a small pension
 The girl was dressed Ill mourning. Father and Mother Gouenantin having died two years before-he Ill the hospi- tai after l2 days of cruel suffering caused by the polsonuus sting of fish, she a few days later from consumption and grief.
 Yes, there they lived. the three or. phans. The elder brother. aged Is. had arisen at daybreak to be ready for hls share of sardlues. and the other, lad of l5. was Just to depart with hls cousin Pierre Marie to catch Holsters
 The three companions, Pierre Marie IGouenantln Eugene Gouenantln, the orphan. and Michel SamZun. boarded a little boat. L Enfant du Desert, hoisted 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 me, dreaming the endless dreams born of the changeless yet ever changing sea as one gazes into it's depths full of charm and mystery
 Faraway cries caused me to turn my head and look about.
 A 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 8 child. 1 arose and, looking 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 nelghborhood, saw the woman Just as ] did In few moments the little island was crowded with people
 What painful. what a terrifying lspectaclel
 Opposite the point of the island, 800 meters from land. lay the boat L. En- fant du Desert capsized Her sails were under water. and on her keel, which rose in the air. clung Eugene Gouenan- tin. the orphan. His. face was as pale as Q winding sheet, his eyes were closed.