Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-18


humming. The wind blew with ter
rife force, and the vast ocean was
veiled for miles by the whirling, driv-
ing spray, which flew like snow-h flakes
all round the vessel, shrouding her in
white mist.
Suddenly there was wild shrek
from Mrs. Rowland as little Grace,
who had attempted to run into tue
cabin, was literally blown to leeward
into the sea.
"My child! o God, save my child"
screamed the distracted mother, whose
voice, however, was nearly drowned
by the booming thunder of wind and
ocean, the rattling OF canvas, the slat-
ting of sheets and ropes and the
smashing, kissing noise of the sweep
ing spray.
The sailors looked with appalled,
faces on the form of Grace as she was
borne along by the merciless waves.
Not one of them dared to venture
overheard in that tempest, and as to
lowering boat, it was simply impos'
sible, as no boat could live in such
storm.
Save herl Will no one save my
child?" screamed Mrs. Rowland, con-
fronting the seamen with clasped
hands and frenzied, heseeching eyes.
They looked at each other and not
one moved, for all felt that certain
death awaited the man who should
plunge in that wrathful ocean; but
Mark Mold plunged overheard, and
the mother chung to q backstay,
eagerly watching for his sreappearance;
but, seeing nothing of him, she bowed
her head on the rail, moaning andrav.
ing like maniac.
Still ragged the storm and on tore
the ship further and further from the
place where the man and child had
gone overheard. The seamen ex-
changed ominous glances and shook
shook their heads.
Soon the squall swept far away to
leeward, the ship righted and the sun
cleaned from clear sky upon clear
ing sea.
From the captain, who, having now
brought his ship to, with main topsail
aback, had run aloft, wild cry went
ringing to the heavens, sending an
electric thrill of Joy to the hearts of
all on deck.
81 see something two miles off the
lee quarter. God grant it be the man
and child"
His boat was soon down with good
oarsmen in 1t, with Mrs. Howland, full
of wild, anxious hope, in the stern
Sheets
Nearer to that distant speck drew
the boat.
"There he isl" cried the watchful
captain, at last. 81 think-I believe
but am not ertain-he-yes, yes,
thank God-hooray! hooray! he has
the child"
Yes, there was the convict in the
water. holding up the child that the
mother might see it.
Such scream of JOY as burst from
that mothers lips it would have done
you good to hear.
A few minutes later Grace nestled
on her bosom, weak and faint, but
showing signs of rapid recovery, as
the happy woman strained her to her
breast, showering kiss after kiss upon
her face.
Almost exhausted to unconscious,
ness, Mark Mold lay in the bottom OF
the boat, scarcely hearing the mother,
hardly feeling the pressure of her lips
upon his hands, when, at length, she
turned to him, warmly expressing her
gratitude.
Now she recognized the truth of the
saying that the worst person is not
without some good trait, and very glad
she was that she had not succeeded in
having the couvicts removed from the
ship when she first discovered they
were aboard. OF course, had they
been taken away Mark Mold would
have gone with them and her child
would have been lost
On arriving at Fort Jackson Mrs.
Howland related to her husband, the
colonel, the gallant conduct of Mark
Mold, who thereafter was constantly
befriended during his hard prison life
by the grateful officer.
This kind treatment, the first he had
ever received from human being
since he became an outlaw, had q
softening effect on Marks character,
and he conducted himself so well that
the colonel at length succeeded in OBJ
tanning for him communication of his
{ penalty, which had been for twenty
years, to half that time.
When at last, the prisoner was dis
charged the colonel procured his en-
ployment and the liberated convict be-
came steady, honest man.
, Victims of Celluloid Combs,