The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-11-10

From The Youths Advocate.

Rocky Point light burned bright
ly through the long hours OF that
darI, temp stuous night, though the
keeper, Daniel Crossman, or Gap
tain Daniel" as he was general y
called, was away and had been OBJ
liged to leave his grandsons, Claude
and Alvah Wilmrt, alone.
1he motbe. Of hose boys was CAP
tain Dani rs only daughter. After
her marriage to John Wilmot, the
Old lighthouse keeper lived the life
If hermit for ten year,; then suc-
denly, thu little brown cottage on the
bluff took on new aspect. The
shutters were thrown open to admit
the.sunlight, flowers bioomed at the
windows, and bright carpet cover
ed the sitting-room noo:; while the
sound of woman's voice and the
merry prattle Of childish voices were
heard in the rooms.
Rose Wllmot had returned to her
fathers home, Bringing her boys,
and Captain Daniel seemed to grow
young again in the society of his
grandchildren. But days lengthen-
I'd into weeks, and weeks passed
into month";, until years had gone by,
and, with the exception Of one brief
visit, John Wilmot had not been to
Rocky Point, where his loved ones
lived 30 quietly. One day, when
Claude had grown to be q bright, &C.
tive lad of ten years, a letter bearing
foreign postdark and addressed to
Mrs. John Wilmot came to the vii.
lage post office. This was not an
unusual occurrence; but on the fol-
lowing morning the Lighthouse keep
er's daughter was seen in the stage
which connected with the train fol-
the metropolis, hundred miles dis.
tant.
The boys, however, remained with
their grandfather, and had been his
comfort and care for nearly a yea,
when this story opens.
"Claude," said the old man, al
noon, 81 find that shall be obliged to
20 to the village for some things tina,
we need. shall be back as soon az
possible, but will light the lamps be.
fore ] go, 80 that if anything should
delay me until after dark they will
be burning"
Gall right, grandpa" said Claude
cheerily, "I'll look out for thinga
but come back as soon as you can
for I'm afraid there's going to be 9
storm before long,
"Never fear, my lad; it won't take
me long," and Captain Daniel went
about the preparation for the trip
He could have reached the village
by land, but it was ten mile Jour.
ney, while it was less than half tina,
distance by water; so he went in hi
boat.
The boys had not been alone lone
when the sky became overcast, tn
Win. moaned dismally, and it wal
evident that a tempest was close a,
hand. Feeling lonely, they went ur
to the top of the tower. 1t was com.
Portable there, for the thick glass
windows kept out the wind, and The
bright light made it cheerful wher
the day waned.
Captain Daniel hurried through
his business, but when he was read,
to retern be saw that it wa. impos.
sible for him TO reach home in hi
boat. He stood on the rough quay
watching the light in the tower, and
wandering how his grandsons were
fsring. At length he became prey
to such anxiety that at nine o'clock
he started for Rock Point on foot in
the face of the binding storm.
AS the storm increased in violence
the boys became more and more un.
easy. Claude was anxious for Alyab
to go to bed, but the little fellow de.
INJURED.
g! couldn't Sleep" he said, ear.
nestly, "and don't want to leave
you. o, what's that?" he added, az
u dull boom sounded above the roar
of the tempest.
The youthful watchers listened,
breathlessly. Again and again the
mournful sound came, and Claude
knew very well what it meant. "Some
vessel is in danger" he said. go, if
we could only do something for
them!"
"Can't you save them, Claude!
questioned Alvab, eagerly.
Let me think, unused Claude. "Dea-
con Marston's horse is in the old how
ell on the marsh, and must take
him and go for help. The fisher
men around in the cove can't hear
the guns, you know. Do you think
you can stay here alone?"
eyes, Claude, of course l can"
Gall right, then. I'll get back as
soon as l CAM" and Claude hurried.
iy prepared for his ride, and then
hastened down the stairs and out in
to the night.
1t was formidable undertaking
for a lad of his wears. Int no nnsbeS