Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-01-14

tale Tear drops gllSLenlQS IN MS 1TOW-
sy beard. He walked on and on, not
knowing or caring where it brought
! him. He moved as one dazed, while
under his breath he murmured, Il
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 It
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 ap-
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 a 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
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,
the sport grew tame and they scam
pered on for something worth their
while.
All but one, a little flaxen-Aaired girl
Of seven, perhaps even more lily clad
than the rest. She fingered and as
soon as her companions were out OF
sight shyly slipped up to the unheeding
stranger o. 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 gave a start,
looked at her again, then laughed
quiet, mirthless laugh and answered:
II guess all of them have died to
me-"
"Oh, 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?"
II went away" he talked as If to
himself, and when I came back they
were gone. They died, perhaps, be-
cause I was gone so long,"
'"Then why were you gone so long?"
II didn't intend to stay SO long," he
continued in the same listless way,
"but I'm sailor. When left my
wife and baby girl, she had golden
curls like yours, was of for q voyage
to last a six month in the southern
seas. Our ship was wrecked below the
line somewhere's, one Of the equinox's
gales, and hung on spar until l was
beached on one of those thumb-nails,
they call q south sea island. s'pose
I was luckier in way than the rest Of
them, for they brought up in Davy
Jones' locker, but 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 like-like yours.
Well, one day ship, Yankee ship,
hove in and brought me right here to
port. wish it hadn't"
Because they were dead?" she whis-
pered
Eyes," he answered, Ito me-"
Il know what it is to have some
body die" and two big tears glistened
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 Dig, unkempt, awk"
ward seaman was forgetting his own
troubles.
Eyes, it was over a year ago that
mamma went to Heaven and now I am
alone"
AS she pressed closer to him
brawny arm went about her and
great, red hand covered hers
"Have you no father?" he spoke
softly.
"Oh, yes, have 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-like 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,