The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-11-27

Inc IosSiAS bOdI was promptly Sc
cured, and shelter was found for the
weary company.
1t was Mr.. Mason's intention to re-
turn to the boat and look after Tom,
but meeting his young friends, Edgar
Hale and Robert Miller, he suddenly
changed his mind.
''See here, boys, would it be too much
trouble for you to look into my boat
and see if Tom has walked up?"
Not at all, SIR" said Edgar.
Il couldn't rouse him when we left,
and he may sleep till morning." said
| Mr.. Mason, but if he should take
notion to come ashore he might fall
overheard, and that would be the last
of him.
"All right, sir, We'll look in on his
| dreams"
Thank you. I'll be down in the
morning" said Mr.. Mason, moving on.
As the boys neared the cove they
saw dark object moving on the boats
deck and the next moment they heard
a splash in the water.
IF Tom isn't overboard!" cried Ed
gar then both boys ran swiftly toward
the boat.
Hold on, there, Tom, we're coming"
Robert shouted, as he seized and threw
a rope to the bewildered man strug-
Cling in the water. y big wave at that
moment dashed the skipper with such
great force against the rocks as to
sober him sufficiently to grasp the
rope, and soon the boys had pulled him
into the boat.
How did you happen to fall over
board?" asked Edgar.
Tom did not like to confess the whole
truth to a mere boy, so he said: 81 fell
asleep and was dreaming that I heard
some angel singing. Then fell asleep
again. and when | woke up tried to
find the place where the music was.
My head got dizzy and l suppose L
stepped off the boat into the water.
1t was awful cold" he shuddered. 81
couldn't have pulled through if you
boys hadn't helped me. Who sent
you?"
Mr.. Mason asked us to see if you
were comfortable" said Edgar, look
ing significantly at Robert
Il expect Mr.. Mason will turn me
off for sleeping on duty" said Tom,
land it will serve me right. You'd bet
ter go now. and not waste any more
time on fellow like me. I'll rest here
a spell longer till feel better, and my
head stops aching, and then I'll trudge
On-out of a job-serves me right"
We'll, Tom, this is pretty business"
said Mr.. Mason, meeting Tom the next
morning. "Do you think | need such
a skipper as you are any longer?"
The tones were not so sharp as the
speaker intended them before seeing
Toms sad condition.
NO, boss, | 'spect before the day is
out you'll find some one in my place
that won't be such a fool" replied
Tom with emphasis.
81 shan't dispute you," said Mr.. Ma
son. 81 gave you a good chance and
good wages. When you've made the
boat tidy you come to my office and
I'll pay you up"
About noon Tom was able to put the
boat in good order, but, not wishing
to meet Mr.. Mason again. he stroled
off to where cottage was being built
and sat down on pile of lumber.
Hello, Tom, is that you?" said Mr..
Keith, coming across him in his de-
jected mood.
Grasping his hand warmly, Mr..
Keith sat down by his side.
'You need a keeper, Tom" he be-
gan in friendly way. "You see you
are not strong enough all alone. You
need chart and compass to steer
by and pilot to guide you safely
among the rocks of life"
Something in this talk made Tom
think of the singing he had heard. the
evening before, for he remembered the
words pilot met was all he re-
membered. Kindly and wisely Mr..
Keith spoke of Toms error. telling
him of the One who would keep and
guide him safely. 81 want YOU to 90
home with me tonight, Tom; will
you?"
81 thank you, sir: one place is as
good as another to me now" said Tom,
rather ungraciously, but not meaning
to be ungrateful.
Mr.. Keith well knew that in Toms
disappointed and discouraged state Of
mind he would wander off toward the
town again and be liable to fall into
temptation.
After one of Mrs. Keith's good. sup
pers Tom found amusement in the
children's games and toys, and the
rOmp with the little ones out in the
yard did much to cheer his spirits.
When darkness came on Mr.. Keith
and Tom sat for long time on the
bench under the tree, the new friend
trying to draw the young mans
thoughts away from his lower self to
his better nature. The influence of
that loving counsel and thS earnest
prayer that was offered for him after
the two had gone into the house made
a changed man of Tom.
The next morning the world seemed
like different place to him. 1t was
Gods world, and henceforth God was
to be his master and he faithful sery-
ant.
A few days passed, when Tom. meet
ing Mr.. Mason, was surprised to have