The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-24
PRESENTED
medal. AT
LIGHTHOUSE

Keeper Macdonald Of Conimicut Light
house was on the balcony yesterday af-
sernoon when he deserted a large power
headed for tho light house flying flag
that was strange TO MIN. The launch
looked familiar enough and f. was Capt
Eeazer Ralphs "Vaudy' from Paw
tuxet. but for the time r-.rr IL was the
flagship OF the r. s. Volurtce Life Saw
ing corps, for Commodor Longfellow
and some Of his men were aboard The
craft dropped anchor at the light house
and the V. L. s, corps official clambered
mp the lons iron ladder and called for
Leslie. the young son Of the keeper
bad less than eight year old
Recalling 20 the minds OF tho keeper
and his wife the events of Feb. % when
Leslie. after n wild slide down the rail-
ing had jumped into the 10y water Of
The hay and rescued his younger broth
or. Milton. from death by pulling him up
into shallow wafer.
To he sure both lads set mp lusty
shout for their dad but tho prompt work
Of the little born sailor Leslie had done
the trick and both were horne dripping
and half frozen 10 the big hre in the
circular iron walled kitchen OF the tower
where the lads have been brought up
PINNED ON MEDAL.
Young Leslie who is a bsshful little
fellow. was very pleased when the hand
some bronze medal Of honor was pinned
a. his conderoy Jacket by Commodore
Iongfellow. and clasping the big gold
sealed certificate IN his chubby hand he
hastened up the winding iron stairway
20 show his mother the trophies
I'VE did not think so much of u
here" said the keeper 90 the commo-
dore when the little ceremony was end
I'd falling overheard ts such com
mon occurrence here.
why that lad Milton has been over
three times and went over this railing
and onto those rocks (noiuting 20 the
Jagged growth of bouldsrs 20 feet be-
low with nothing worse than a black
eye
Leslie is a regular water dog and will
20 out in n boat with me In the very
widest sort OF weather, Drawing seas
that no boetman ought 20 face He's a
born sailor all right"
The keeper was pleased az the recog-
milton of his sons gallantry and con-
Quoted his visitors over the light house
where there is much more room thar
one would suppose within that iron
truncated cone surmounted by a bright
fixed light.
How he ever managed 10 get an up
right piano up the winding iron stairs "a
his sitting room within two stories OF
the top. s a mystery though 10 all that
Pee II.
ROUGH IN WINTER.
Its a pretty rough place 10 live here
in the winter" said the keeper as the
members OF the corps were leaving for
she return trip 10 Pawtuxet. Nothing
much you can don but XIII time.
whittle out boats build mode ships and
paint n few pictures land they are In
feresting ones too) but in the summer
A. is better After this winter 7 viii
take the family ashore. There Is too
much risk here
"The T. s light house inspector said
ought 70 tie q bladder around the
youngsters necks there arc three of
shem. the same as the Chinese sanpan
men do and n they fell in they would
surely doet.
The visitors climbed down the long
ladder again and embarked for Paw
suxet and waved adieux 70 the little
group or the iorraome white tower TIL
they were out - sight.
The medal vas authorized to be pre-
sented bV the National Board OF Cover
norS In New York City and the certih-
cate was signed by Col J wesly Jones
president and superintendent as well rs
sounder of the T. g Volunteer Life Saw
earns