Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-02-07
TRAGEDY OF THE BREAK
WATER.

There are creatures who can be mad
homeless--men who save pennies t
pay Tor rent and women who al
afraid of eyictions. But Duff Gree
knew no such troubles and was d
II re concerned abont the rise in hous
rates than were the foxes of the field
or the rats of the wharfs. He ha
peculiar habits and might have beel
called amphibious If it had not beef
for the fact that he lived neither upol
the land nor the lake, but upon ant
within tie breakwater.
That is to say, by day he sat upor
tie breakwater, one Of a patient row O
fishermen, and by night he let himsel
gently down from bis height by mean
OF a rope ladder 20 small floating
platform before an opening in the piers
These piers were the pillars to his from
door. And within the breakwater wa.
Duff's homo.
He had framed two rooms in thi.
cave CT conJoining staasmites and
stalaetit0s, rooted them neatly, aoored
hem well and had ruu stovepipe out
literally. In this retreat, visible only
only from the Bale. and run in uncon-
scious defiance OF the city authorities,
Duff kept the necessares of hfe-food
ir his cupboard, fuel for his stove,
chairs for himself and two friends, a
clock and calendar.
Nothing was needed except perhaps
wife. Duff noticed this lack, being
an observant man, and when he rowei
about tue familiar waters in his skiff
or toasted his dry bread over his fire
or lay in his bed listening to the sounds
of his solitude he thought much about
the matter. Sometimes it made him
laugh; oftener 1t made him little sad.
Duff loved the singing of TIE water
better than any sound in the world,
and he was not quite certain to what
degree woman's voice would add to
the harmony Of tapping waters aud
wailing winds.
Duff knew a woman. She was Mat
Hendricks daughter, and she wore
red handkerchief about her head when
she came fishing with her father. Full
OF his idea, Duff baitel Agathas hook
for her whole week of windy June
days. At the end of that time he ask
ed her to go riding in his boat with
him in the moonlight, aud she went.
Duff listened to her talking and her
laughter and liked it much. 1t was not
SO lonesome as the sounds of the waves.
He told her about his pome, and she
laughed harder than before. And he
rowed her, all in the marvellous moan
SHINE, up to the brsakvater and per-
suaded her to pass between the piers
and to stand on the floor of his house,
and then she laughed still more.
1T is like story" she cried. alt
cannot be trueI 1t is not like other
things-I know it ia not true am
only dreamingl"
ut is true" protested Duff. "And
also it ls true that want you to come
here and live with me. You can help
me with the fish. Some day we shall
have money enough to buy a boat with
sails. And I will give you a wedding
present, maybe, if you will marry me
soen."
Agatha laughed.
"But whatever wo have now, We
must never have new house." she
cried. eve must live here where the
fishes can come to visit me. Tap, tap,
[ shall hear at the deor, and when
open it there will b, big fish all in
ais Sunday best. Como in. / shall say
10 him, and in he will come, and 1 will
,all you down, and we will drink tea
together" And, still laughing, she
ooked out Of the little window at the
'himmsring water and Glapped her
lands.
Daft took il for granted that all was
estled, and he did nothing but plan
or his marriage. he bought some
hings for the hsuse-a crucifx and
ONE new cooking tins and red cover
or the table Aud no saved rs much
money as he could, for he knew that
lis wedding would cost him great |
Isal. At night he slept only part OF |
he time, and he dreamed and dreamed |
( Agatha, while the water without |
inflated her hugh.
T. C-tou,i,o, h. cok;o.1 Ill L.