Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-12-18

him. He moved as one dazed, while
under his breath he murmured, II
might of known it of Nell-she never
did set store by any one man, and yet
she was my wife-but my baby, my
| little girl. she was all mine; she 1t
was l most oftenest dreamed of in
those long days and nights, she with
curls so gold and eyes so blue"
He had now reached what was APP
parently small park, one of those
breathing spots so often found within
the confines of the older coast towns.
Ambling down one of the paths he
soon came to a rude bench, where he
sank down, not to rest his sturdy mus
cles, but a weary mind. Dropping his
head upon his hands he gave himself
up to the meditations caused by the
pangs of q breaking heart
Nothing is so impressive to the aver
age full-grown human as the grief OF
big. strong man, but not SO awe-struck
are the children.
This little park apparently was a
playground for the poor, and noisy
shouts and merry laughter told that
the youngsters were about Running
and romping along the paths they soon
discovered the uncouth figure upon the
bench. At first they were frightened,
but after various sallies towards him
they became satisfied that he was
harmless. Gathering closer, their
jibes and jokes came thick and fast,
but receiving no response from their
unconscious, sorrow-stricken victim,
nd thau
pered on for something worth their
while.
All but one, little flaxen-haired girl
of seven, perhaps even more lily clad
than tho rest She fingered and as
soon as her companions were out of
sight shyly slipped up to the unheeding
stranger Oh the seat and nestled at his
side.
I'm not afraid of you," she gently
lisped. He seemed not to hear her. for
he paid no attention, did not even
move.
HAS somebody of yours died?" she
continued tenderly. He comprehended
that he was spoken to, for he slowly
turned his head and looked at his lit
tie sympathizer. He cave start,
looked at her again, then laughed q
quiet, mirthless laugh and answered.:
81 guess all of them have died to
me-"
ooh, that Is dreadful. It's bad
enough TO lose two or three" replied
the good samaritan, as she puckered
up her rosy lips. How did they die?"
81 went away" he talked as if to
him ocn1f 7 hgnly thnv
were gone. They died, perhaps, be-
cause | was gone so long"
Then why were you gone so long?"
81 didn't intend to stay SO long" he
continued in the same listless way,
but I'm a sailor. When l left my
wife and baby girl, she had golden
curls like yours, l was off for a voyage
to last a six month in the southern
seas. Our ship was wrecked below the
line somewhere's, one of the equinox q
gales, and hung on spar until was
beached on one of those thumb-nails,
they call south sea island l s'pose
| was luckier in way than the rest Of
them, for they brought up in Davy
Jones locker, but l had to live with
some woolly-headed niggers for over
four years, without ever seeing hui
man beings face. But all the time
lived on the thought of some time COM
ing home to my wife and my baby, my
little girl with hair ike-like-yours.
Well, one day ship, Yankee ship.
hove in and brought me right here to
port. l wish it hadn't"
Because they were dead?" sho whis-
pered
YES" he answered, "to me-"
81 know what it is to have some
body die" and two big tears gllstenet
in the little girls eyes. MY mamma
died"
Your mothers dead? Such a wee
bit of thing as you to live without a
mother?" The pig. unkempt, awk-
ward seaman was forgetting his own
troubles.
"Yes. it was over a year ago that
mamma went to Heaven and now am
alone"
AS she pressed closer to him a
brawny arm went about her and a
great, red hand covered hers.
Have you no father?" he spoke
softly.
ON, yes, | nave papa, but he Is
not good to me. He stays out all night.
He does not come home for days some
times; he talks awful cross to me; he
does not love me-"
"He doesn't love you, and you have
curls like-lilie gold and eyes like"
he pointed upward.
mo, l know he doesn't love me, be-
cause I've tried so hard to see."
What is your fathers name, little
girl?" He was gentle and solicitous.
His name is Sturm, but mine is Eva
Sturm."
Eva! Eva! but not the rest-not
Sturm!" he cried explosively, and then
subsidized. do not be frightened, child,
because I'm foolish, only Eva, Eva calls
me back. but with the name Sturm-
see the nonsense of the thought"
But my name was not alWayB