The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-10-14
THE LIGHT-KEEPER'S SON.

"A lOug, uuIION sup VI AohN ONAAo
ing to the Canadian government and
iutting out into the Gulf of ST. Law
renee, was, at the time l write or
known by the appropriate title of Cape
Hurricane.
On account of the dangerous condi-
ton of the coast, a magnificent light
house had been built at the extreme
point of the cape, and hard by stood the
cottage of the keeper, an Old seafaring
man, named Samuel JOh,.s stone.
Besides two daughters, he had -four
sons, the youngest of whom, Hale, aged
IA years, is the hero of my story.
One day in the early part of Septem.
Der, the boys and girls, with the excep'
ton of Hale, drove about ten miles in
land, for the purpose of being present
at wedding the same evening.
Samuel tombstone, who was widow
er, was consequently left alone with
his little son.
AS night approached, the former per-
ceived, with some anxiety, that the sky
was overcast by heavy clouds, that a
cold, wet wind was blowing from the
north. and the experienced mariner at
once concluded that great storm was
impending.
"Hale," he said. entering the cottage
and addressing the boy, who was read.
ing by the open fireplace. run down to
the cove and pull up your skiff high and
dry. You'll never sail the little Sea
Gull again, if to-night's storm strikes
her"
"All right, father" the boy replied
with alacrity, for he would not lose his
swift and beautiful little pleasure-boat
for the world ''I'll take care of the
Sea Gull. Will you light the lamps
eyes. Hurry up, my boy; for the
storm is breaking already. God helr
those at sea tonight! The wreckers
Will be happy in the morning."
1t may be well to remark here that
along the barren shores of Cape Hurri
cane were scattered the cabins of fugi.
tive Indians, outcasts from their tribes
and here and there might be seen the
shanty of some fisherman, who could
act also the roles of smuggler and
wrecker when occasion required.
Hale found his task of placing thu
Sea Gull beyond danger more difficult
than he imagined.
Hence, it was some time before he
was ready to return to the cottage. and
when he turned his steps in that direc-
ton, the wind was bowling dismally,
the waves were already dashed into a
fury, and the spray from the rocks
dashed over the boy, drenching him to
the skin.
The lighthouse lamp, constructed on
the revolving plan, now flashed it's
radiance through the intense darkness
of the night, at intervals of minutes
duration.
l love q lighthouse, whether glisten-
ing white and beautiful, kissed by the
purling ripples of a gentle sea, and
'bathed in the golden sunshine of a
summer day, or standing firm and in.
vincible, dashed by the angry surge
breasting the tempest's wrath, and lift.
ing it's fire-crowned head into the black
laundering midnight Sky. To me il
is at once an emblem of the infinite
peace which accompanies virtue, and Of
the grand, sublime courage which re.
sists temptation.
Hale stopped suddenly with an ex.
clamation Of surprise and fear as he
approached the cottage. Something
had happened which made the boys
blood run cold, and drove the ruddy
color from his healthy face.
He crept up to the window and looked
in. One glance, and he understood all
-Four wreckers, awkwardly disguised
with, masks of canvas, had captured ano
bound the keeper, wrestling from him
at the same time the great iron Ike,
of the lighthouse.
These men, for the sake of the booty
cast up by the hungry, merciless waves
intended to sacrifice hundreds of hui
man lives.
A thrill of horror ran through thu
boys frame as he thought of the enor
nifty OF the crime that these men were
about to commit. A cold perspiratior
broke over his brow, and he tremblet
like a leaf.
He crouched down in the shadows
under the window-sill, and in a few
seconds had regained his presence O.
mind. His father was helpless. It wa.
his duty to act-to outwit these men
to save hundreds of lives now at TIL,
mercy of the wreckers.
Hale had not long to wait. Two me1
were left to guard the PROSTATE form
OF old Samuel tombstone, while two
others cautiously left the cottage, ana
ran swiftly toward the lighthouse.
The key turned in the lock, and boil
entered. The next instant Hale hat
followed them.
The storm was raging fiercely. A
Intervals lightning quivered through
the sky. and rollirc- thunder Saoyco~3 :,