The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-06-03

southern slope of Tele-
graph Hill, Nita was re-
I@ @I peating many Ave Maras
lSM Slu before an atrocious litho.
graph Of the Madonna. The fog
had been growing all morning, and
her father and her lover were out
with the fishing fleet. For every Ave
she offered up for Louis, the lover.
she offered two for her father, the
Padrone. Every one connected with
the fishing industry in San Francisco
knew the Padrone, and his advice was
the law of the fishermen. Even these
who had incurred his disfavor at times
bore him no ill-wlll. for the heart of
that gentle, gray-haired giant was rs
soft as his biceps We're hard. Nita
loved him as only a petted but I'M
spoiled child could. Even Louis was
not half so dear to her as the father
her method Of praying showed that.
Just at that time Louis and tha
Padrone We're greatly in need OF
prayer, or perhaps more material as.
sistance. A ug-boat-certainly steam.
Ing much faster than the half speed
prescribed by law for vessels in the
fog-had made matchwood out Of their
little boat. Louis and the Padrone
plunged almost simultaneously into the
cold water just in time to avoid being
entangled in the debris. The tug may
or may not have returned to investl-
gate the damage. At any rate, 1t did
not find Louis or the Padrone, who
were left floundering in the sea.
Boots off, Louis" called tie Pad
rome, almost cheerily: ''we must swim
till we reach the islands. or till the fog
lifts' He wanted to keep the younger
man from realizing how hopeless was
their condition. In short time they
Invested themselves of their boots and
their outer clothing, for they were both
good swimmers
This way. The Farallones are this
way. Follow close. but save your
strength" said the Padrone, He was
completely lost, but there We're vol
umes Of confidence and hope in his
voice. The men struck out. breasting
the waves with strong. sturdy strokes.
They swan for several hours. but
the fog did not lift or thin in the least
Louis began to tire. and the Padronc
heard him gaspinc for breath. "Cour-
age boy, 70: Nita," he cried. But
Louis's strength was fast giving out.
Put your hand on my shoulder"
ventured the Padrone; II can tow
you"
NO" painted Louis; 81 can not last.
Save yourself"
ut is for Nita boy. You must be
saved" said the Padrone. sharply; 'in
the name'of God, listen.-the breakers.
There is land ahead"
The young man struck out despe--
ntely, and the Padrone, swimming be-
hind, with Ono powerful arm pushed
him forward. holding him by the hair
and the other hand. A heavy roller
caught the pair, hurting Louis up on
nn exceedingly small area of sandy
beach. But the Padrone was not so
fortunate. He was dashed against q
high rock on one side o. the beach.
and though he managed to crawl over
to Louis, his left knee WIS painfully
crippled. They lay breatAless Oil the
sand for some time.
Apparently they were in n little
gully, with walls running p2rpendlcu-
larly, and the floor sloping upward at
sharp angle.
Holy Maryr' whispered the Pad
rome. Out OF the mist above came
the sharp bark Of the seal. Louis
was too much exhausted to realize
what It meant. But the Padrone knew
Inc seals would soon become alarmed
and come sliding down that narrow
slope seeking the water. after their
custom when alarmed. Several more
commenced to bark. The Padrone
looked upward In despair. Several
rect above. on one of the walls. a little
ledge Of rock jutted outward like n
shelf.
THANK Godr' muttered the Padrone;
can save You for Nita. Yes, the old
man will save her Louis for his little
girl"
lie dragged himself quickly to his
rect. though the sharp pain in his knee
made him vince. The seals were thor
oughly aroused by this time. Rapidly
gauglng the distance with his eye
'he Padrone seized the unconscious
young man In his arms and tossed him
sollly up on the ledge.
The Padrone could hear the sound
u The seals fiippers as they began theil
uescent. He bowed his head to re
eeive death, with prayer on his lips
nut in the Kaleidoscope flashes OF
recoilectiorf that come 10 men at sucl
umes, came the momentary remem
orance OF the days when he stood
shoulder to shoulder with the red
s,irted men In Italy to receive tn,
scnarges Of Pho Eono's troops. II,
ni'ed bis head with fierce pride ant
snook his fist defantly.
Viva Garibaldir' shouted the Pad
rome. raising tne old battle cry Will
,ns last breath. For the seals slI.
uown upon him in n frenzled mass
nshing him to death and rolling hi
oody into the sea.
1hs story OF Louis's rescue covere'