Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-06-22

0cTITuuS ODeySu, Dut SOOu itill tuS
bucket down. 20. I'm so siclll" she fall
tered.
I'm take 1t, Gertie," said Ruth, cour-
ageously. Guess I'm too frightened
to feel sick"
Mary had been out in this same dory
with her father when the wind had
blown "a stiff breeze" but never in such
a gale as this. She knew quite we'll how
to manage the cranky boat, and she
had often heard her father say: Thar
warn't no boat safer" but she realized
that any boat was in peril in such a
storm.
20, Nary" moaned Gertrude, will we
ever get back?'
Course" answered Mary. 1--WE seed
1t blow 90 times harder" She did not
think it necessary to add that she had
not, at the time, been on the water.
'Now," she continued, cts all kin
do TO manage the boat, so don't ask
no more questions. jest play I'm your
captain, nd you're to keep still till
speak"
"An right, captain" said Ruth,
whose fears were somewhat allayed by
Mary's tone OF playfulness.
The wind blew fcrcely for awhile,
and then it began to rain.
Ruth began to sob convulsivcly; but
Mary bent to her task with renewed
hope.
'stop that, Ruth" she shouted. This
rains the best thing as could happen;
it'll lay the sea, an it'll lay the wind"
Soon the water ceased dashing over
the bows; and presently Mary rested,
and let the boat drift. Though the rain
beat upon them piteously, Mary did not
mind 1t; but the two others were thor
oughly chilled.
She leaned over and shook Ruth Wig
orously.
Ruth, Ruth" she cried, this will
never dol"
I'm so cold!" sobhedsRuth.
"Get up, then, and BAIL"
"I-I'm so scared!"
There's nuthin' now to scare about
we're as safe this minute as we'd be
ashore"
Ruth did not mark the saving phrase,
but with faith in Mary stronger than
her fears resumed the bailing with
vigor. Mary, meanwhile, took off her
own wet but warm jacket and wrapped
it tenderly about Gertrude. You've jest
got to git up nd row, Gertie," she said;
"you must, for Ruth md me. Tain't
dangerous now, if someun keeps rowin';
nd I'm jest tuckered. Keep her headin'
the waves" she said, drowsily; and as
Gertrude weakly took up the oars,
Mary sank down exhausted.
1t seemed to Mary that but few min
utes passed-though Ruth declared it
was "hours and hours"-before Ger
trude reused her.
"Look, Nary" she said. "What is
that?"
Mary rubbed her eyes and peered
through the mist. Then she sprang up,
reaching for the spare oar. "Off with
that jacket, Gertie," she cried; mo
gimme that white skirt o yourn."
With nervous haste Gertrude took off
her dainty petticoat, which Mary
promptly tore and rugged. "Now," she
commanded, "swap places-'nd wave
this here flag OF ourn all you're with! "
Mary desperately bent to the oars
There was dark spot across the water,
which seemed to Gertrude but patch
of blacker cloud, but Mary knew 1t for
what it was. Soon the others recog-
nized it, too, for they cried together:
"a schooner!"
A man ran the length Of the vessels
deck; then a second man appearedt
and as Mary, exerting her last bit OF
strength, drove the dory within reach,
rope was thrown to her, which she
caught and fastened to the painter.
The man drew the dory alongside and
lifted out the children. GOD bless us
my Maryl" cried one of them.
Never was ship more welcome than
was that little fishing schooner when
it came to anchor again in the cove.
Mrs. Ellerton, after her first trans
port of joy, drew Capt. Mary close and
kissed her frecllled face again and
again.
"You shall want for nothing, dear"
she said, $50 long as ever we live.
."How could you have had such cour-
age?"
"'Twarn't no fool job" said Mary,
"but I'm mighty glad done it,"-Bos-
ton Globe.