Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-06-20
it work Washing the cnna,s clotn,ne

~ WOkA WupAlu& lAC SAi0 . SAOluIuks Il
'She's asleep" he said, Jerking his
head toward a bunk. II ger her a
pint Of mixture. She cried bit when
there was no more to be had, but
warm bath with some boric acid In 1t |
made her sleepy. An there she is.
snug us cat"
The bmesticated Jones was up to
his elbows in lather of soap.
Have you noticed any laundry
marks or initials on her clothing"
asked Brand.
Yes. Here you are"
He fished out of the bubbles a little
vest, on which were worked the letters
Il. 7. in white silk.
"Ah! That is very important. We
can establish her identity, especially II
the laundry mark is there also"
"I'm feared there's nothing else"
said Jones. 1--WE not looked very care
fully. as it'll take me all my time 10
get everything dry afore the tug comes.
AS for ironin', it can't be done. But
my missus II see utter her until some
body turns up to claim her"
"That may be never"
"Surely we will get some news Of the
ship which was lost! W
Eyes, that is little enough to expect
Yet it is more than probable that her
parents are dead. A baby would be
separated from her mother only by the
mothers death. There Is a very real
chance that poor E. IT, will be left for
years on the hands Of those who take
charge of her now. The only alterna-
tive is the workhouse."
''Thats so. cap'n." put in Jim. you
always dig to the heart of subjec'.
even If It's shark"
"In word, Jones. you can hardly be
asked to assume such responsibility.
Now, it happens that l can afford to
adopt the child If she lives and Is not
claimed by relatives. 1t is almost a
duty imposed OH me by events. When
the doctor comes. therefore, purpose
asking him to see that she Is handed
over to Mrs. Sheppard. the nurse who
looks after my own little girl. will
write to her.. My turn ashore comes
next week. Then can devote some
time to the necessary inquiries"
Jones made no protest. He knew
that Brands suggestion was good
one, and he promised silence with re-
gard to the fight with the shark. Men
in the lighthouse service are quick to
grasp the motives which cause others
to avoid publicity. They live scdate,
lonely lives. The noise. the rush, the
purposeless activities of existence
ashore weary them. They have been
known to petition the Trinity Brethren
to send them back to isolated stations
when promoted to localities where the
pleasures and excitements Of town
were available.
Having determined the immediate fu.
ture of little "E. IT," whose shrunken
features were now placid in sleep, they
quietly separated. Brand flung himself
YEARLY into bunk to obtain n mucl
nceded rest, and the others hurried t.
overtake the many duties awaiting
them.
Weather reports and daily journal,
demanded instant attention. The OF
expenditure the breakage Of glas
chimneys. the consumption of stores
the meteorological records-all must b.
noted. An efficient lookout must b.
maintained, signals. answered or hoist
ed, everything kept spotlessly clear
and meals cooked. Until noon each do,
rock lighthouse is the scene Of un
RENTING diligence, and the loss o.
nearly an hour and half of Spence.
watch, added to the presence Of thu
baby and the constant care which one
or other of the two men bestowed OF
her, made the remaining time doubly
precious.
About 0 o'clock Brand was awaken
ed from heavy slumber by Jim's
hearty voice:
Breakfast ready, cap'n. Corfee
eggs an haddick-fit for the queen
God bless her! An baby's had another
pint of Jones' brew-Lord love her lit
. tie eyes, though haven't seen 'em yet
A mint ago Jones sung down to m,
i. that the Lancelot has just cleared
earn .du."
. The concluding statement brought
DIuuu " ulS Aeet. Lie uOClOi WOult
be on the rock by the time breakfas
, was ended and the letter to Mrs
Sheppard written.
When the doctor did arrive he shool
his head obviously at first sight of tn
!. child.
II don't know how she lived. She i
a mere skeleton" he said.
Brand explained matters and hinte,
, at his theory.
"Oh the ways of nature are wonder
! full" admitted the doctor. Sometime
, man will die from an absurdly trivia
thing. like the sting of wasp or til
cutting of finger. At others you cal
fling him headlong from the Alps an
he will merely suffer bruise or two
i. OF course, this infant has an excep
tionally strong constitution or sh
would have died days ago. However
, you have done right so far. will Sc
to her proper nourishment during til
= next few days. 1t Is most extraol
!, binary case"
Jones had managed SO well that til
q child's garments were dry and we
aired. Wrapped in clean blanket
she was lowered into the steamer
boat but the doctor, preferring t
a jump, was soaked to the waist OWN
!, to slip on the weed covered rock.
The crew Of the tugboat balled on
the derelict and towed her to Per
zance.
That evening fisherman brought
note from Mrs. Sheppard. Among oil
er things. she wrote that the baby
clothes We're beautifully made and 9
n very extensive type. She was feve