The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-20
AFTER THE STORM.
N Z. N. auTHR1r.

churned up the night before into q
seething, heavy caldron OF pitch-biack
waters, had subsidized now into rest
less, uneasy swell, rising and falling
like q woman's bosom after storm Of
Bobs.
The fishing boats had been out all
night in the storm and Stress and now
they were struggling back into harbor,
blowing over the bar In the wake of
laboring steam tugs, or confident in
their knowledge Of things nautical.
making their slow way in unaided. Not
a few bore marks OF battle; here torn
sail, there rent cordage, or q spar
snapped on, or Q bit Of the bulwarks
torn away. A little crowd stood on the
Dierhead watching them.
Foremost Of all was group OF women,
Eish graters from the denes on the other
side Of the river, where's their work was
to clean herring all day at long, low,
fish-filled troughs. They could not work
that morning, however, anxiety gnawed
too cruelty at their heartstrings, for
their men were at sea, and there was no
knowing whether they had come safe
and sound out of last nights hell OF
wind-driven rain squalls. Of foam, and
spray and raging, turbulent waters. So,
leaving the troaghs, the women tied
their shawls tight over their heads. and,
In their working dress Of rough serge,
water boots and briny oilskin aprons,
came to the harbor's mouth to watch
and walt and perhaps to welcome home
their men.
That's hard work a-waitin'." muir
Injured one OF them, slight, delicate
looking girl, to her neighbor, who was
doing her best to shelter her from the
keen wind.
Don't you worrit, gal Liz" said the
other, consolingly; "the Waliantn'll be
in afore you knows where ye are: seeif
she amt"
Liz shook her head and the tears
weiled up into plaintive gray eyes. "I
wish I wor like you, Marthy," she said.
brave an hsartsome; allus fare SO
timid when Jem's at sea. an to-day I'm
wuss'n ever. Did ye hear the wind in
the night!" she went ON, her voice low
and terrorful, that Jared ter grip hold
o. the house an worry It like q cat wi
Q mouse: / right shook in my bed, did,
athinkin' o. Jem out in 1t all, an at last
I couldn't stan 1t no longer. just
slipped out, to, and walked up an down
the beach, so as to be a bit nigAer to him.
wish there warn't no sea-" she said,
shivering, "ter part people an scare
them wot's ashore."
Meanwhile the slow procession Of
fishing boats struggled BY, and the crpwd
watched them.
THE Perry ha got her work cut ous
this time. some one said.
The smacks came into full view round
the bend
Halo. what's up nj, that there hind
srmost one, han't she got her flag half
mast?"
A score Of eager, incredulous faces
craned and peered. It was true: there
hung the tell-tale nag, pregnant signal
Of death and disaster. The faces fell.
Must ha' lost hand last night"
A woman pressed forward to the very
edge Of the pier, pale and asonixed.
What's wrong wi Liz7" cried some
one.
Hold yer noise" with an angry
nudge, that there boats the valiant.
wot her man Jem Wacey's aboard or"
Every heart went out to Liz In her
anxiety; every eye scanned the Vali-
ants deck where the crew were gath
cred. eager to recognize Jem. An omin-
GUS silence fell Two men we're missing
-Jem and the smack 3 master. The rest
OF them stood there, detected, crest
fallen little group.
A cry OF agony broke from Liz lips!
Where's Jem?" she. cried. II don't see
my Jem!"
Down the rickety landing stage they
went, into the old boat, and over the
steely, wind-blown river.
The Perry had cast her little feet
adrift now In midriver, and one by one
they were joining that sarrted ranks
ut the quayhead. The Valiant was there
already chaos Of fish and men, and
tarry barrels and ropes and spsrs and
shimmering, iridescent fish scales. An
eager crowd pressed on board keen to
learn the news of the night and the
boats loss. A few steps moro and Liz
was among them, fear eloquent in her
wide eyes and dry lips.
Eyes, the masteW's gone" one of the
crew was saying, sadly. "A thunderin'
big wave took an washed him over
board, and the same one Aulled pore
Wacey ag'in the mast, am
Liz gripped the speakers arm.
Killed" she gasped. "Is my Jem
killed."
The sound OF her voice reached the
cabin below. Before the mate could re-
ply, there was soundof stumbling foot
steps up the companion, and man, rale
and weak, his head bandaged up In a
gaudy cotton handkerchief, came into
sight. He steadied himself momerit,
while his da2ed eyes scanned the deck.
Then he held out his arms, and with D
iong-pent-up croy, Liz few to them like
q homing bird.
Jem held her close, stroking her hair
and soothing her tenderly, while he bade
her, In q voice which Was rather shaky,
In spite Of the chan. mot to 60 a.killin.
o. him orr like that theer: ;he wasn't
dead; no, nor likely to be-"