Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-05-20
NUMBER 20.
bling ut the blasts Of wind that came
laundering down the wide chimney.
And this is what the men must do
Who work in wind and foam,
i. hat ha haaE


laundering down the wide chimney.
And this is what the men must do
Who work in wind and foam.
And this is what the women bear
Who watch for them at home.
When the cold dawning broke, they
went to the door and stood looking over
the moaning, tossing waters. Sea and
sky were ghostly and terrible; the sky
full of snaky tints Of yellow and livfd
gray. the sea saturnine, passionate, dark
with fate, and the gale still whistlins
loud and shrill, with that peculiar iron
ring that means mischief. But they
could see the lifeboat coming to the
shore. with short plunges; she was OF.
ten hid behind the great wall Of waves
or else out of sight in the trough OF the
sea, but yet advancing and advancing
until the measured beat of her oars was
audible. 1t was soon evident that some
one was dead or injured, and as the
men approached with their burden Hell.
en- said with gasp OF pain:
"It is Will! 1t is Will"
They brought him into Brodicks
house. and while one man ran for a
doctor the elder himself applied such
rude surgery as his long experience OF
sea life had taught him. Will was In
sensible and bleeding from the nose
and mouth, but in few hours he had
regained his consciousness and was
sleeping off the fatigue Of his gigantic
efforts. Then Mrs. Brodick rested lit
tie from her labors over him and asked
the elder how he had been so badly
hurt.
1--WE should all of US have been but
dead men If the Great Fisher Of the lake
OF Galilee had not been with us" said
Brodick revcrently. "Will did wonders
with his help. We found the little craft
on the reef, but we did not dare to 20
close to her in the black night. She
had foundered. but her topmast was
above the water line, though often
washed by the big waves. and on this
mast there were two men and wee
laddie twelve years old. They had
tied the poor bairn to the cage and
were gripping hard themselves, and
we stood by them all night long. And
so whenever there was a bit lull in the
wind then Will called out-and you ken
what u voice he has-loud and clear as
q trumpet: Hold on! Hold on till MORN
ingr And at the first peep Of light We
went to them, but we could not get
close, and il was Will that swan of
and brought them all to the boat, and
the third time be was at tie last pinch
Of strength. for the waves throttled
him and beat him constant, and We had
TO lift him and his burden out Of the
water, bath OF them senseless and
poo; Will bleeding sair and the very
image of death. But he'll be a. right
IN day or two. and as long as he
lives he may take the joy Of them three
lives for his guerdon. He is 0 brave
man."
"And a good man. Robert
"Aye, or he would not be brave"
So Will remained four days at Bro
iicks and during that time was ten
ierly cared for by the women Of the
house. 1t was a good time for him-a
new, delicious torpor, full OF the pres
ence of Helen, filed him with rest and
happiness. And to have this noble, un-
selfish giant as dependent on her mercy
and kindness as baby brought the
love in Helens heart to rich and sud.
den iipencss. On the afternoon OF the
fourth day Mrs. Brodick opened the door
OF Wills room. He was sitting in big
chair by the fire. but he never saw her.
for Uelen's arms We're around his neck
and her face was against his face, and
the whole world was in their embrace.
Then the good woman softly closed the
door ana went on tiptoes into the house
place. There was radiant smile on
her face. and she reused the elder from
his afternoon nap, saying:
Wake up, Robert! | hae good news
for you. 1t is a. right, 1t is a. right In
yonder.
Il kent it would be-"
And they shall have big wedding.
You shall gle them the cottage on the
brae head, and | will plenish 1t. Man
Robert, Just to think Of the pleasure
they will be to US, they and their
bairns-little lads and lassies. called by
our names and running in and out OF
the house, and maybe minister among
is hi0 fn p1ilv
might spare one Of the lads"
"The very best Of the lot, Matte"
ITO be sure. By the time he gets
through the theology college he will be
warldlike enough. Let us so and
speak to the BARNS. They are awfu'
shy to tell their own tale. have nae
doubt"
And they went in together and just
looked at the lovers. and the tale was
told. And then there were hand grips
and kisses. and the good mother could
not keep her projects for their happi'
ness and would have Helen sit down
with her and talk DER the napery and
crockery." And Will and the elder
spoke Of the house and the boat and OF
Wills final purpose to join the great
North sea trawling feet, and to all this
plea SAINT planning and talk the exer-
else came at length as solemn peace
and blessing.
After II the two women went away
together for n last five minutes tax,
and the mother said, "iou are very
happy. Helen. and you are going to be
far happier my dear lassie."
"I believe so. mother
Love Is the great thing in life. Hell
en-"
"I am sure Of It, and yet. mother
what. dearie?"
at is not the greatest thing thought
once that II was. but found out
through many wearlful. sorrowful days
that honor and truth and courage are
still greater things and that love Is NOT
worth a penny bit unless 1t grows OUT
of the same stem with them. That 10
why love viii. cannot separate his
love from his honor and truth ana
courage, and so my heart rests surely
on him"
Thus these simple. truthful. unletter
ed women had come naturally 10 the
snme faith as the poet lover or 2oo
wears before them-the faith inherent
in every true love. the faith apprehend'
ed by every true lover
! could not love thee. dear 30 m"cn'
Loved | not honor more
AuthOrs' foundations.