Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1909-08-27
FIOTSAM.

himself out on the sand in its shade
To be without kith or kin at six is a
hard proposition, but to be six and
have a round, baby face framed in a
mass Of golden curls, besides being SO
small that one looks scarcely four, is
a harder proposition still. and the lit
tie boy who was trying so hard to
choke back the tears that would gath
er in his eyes despite his utmost eff
forts to prevent them realized It only
too we'll.
When old Uncle Ben, the light
house keeper who had rescued him,
died the winter before. big. good-nat-
ured Ned Grant had kindly taken the
little fellow home. but the winter had
been a hard one for the Grants and
Flotsam knew that they could keep
him no longer
If he was only larger and older, he
thought. or if someone would come
for him as Uncle Ben said they would.
if the someone would only be his
Lady. his Lady that came to him so
often in his dreams. and who called
him-but he never could seem to re-
member what she did call him, for
when she held out her arms to him
she always fadedaway before he could
reach her He would awaken with
the echo of her voice in his ears, but
what she had called him or who she
was he never could remember
In a little boat floating out to sea one
morning after a big storm and had
named him Flotsam. He was an that
was ever found of some boat that
must have gone to piacas on the
rocks. The old lighthouse kaener he
lieyed il TO have been a prtvate Yacht
and that friends vould come some
dav in search of survivors or for news
of the wreck But four vaars had
rolled AWAY the fourth taxing I-ncls
Ben with IN and as vet no one had
come.
If he .ouid STAY there a IfttIe lone
or. he thought perbaps me Tadv
would c3me. but thew were 70 take
him TO the clty in the morning and
mt him our for adontion tber be
was sure she could never find him
The tears that he had fought back
all day could be restrained no longer
and buryiug his face in the sleeve ri
his little blouse he gave way to grief
until at last he sobbed himself tt
sleep
When Flotsam opened his eyes an
hour later he found that he was no
longer alone, for two men were lean
ing against the Old wreck. Their
packs were toward him, but he knew
they were strangers, and wondered if
they were not the people that were to
occupy the pretty cottage On the cliff
mat summer He was about to steal
quietly away when he caught a bit OF
their conversation which caused him
to pause.
Yes, one OF the men was saving,
l would advise you to adopt little
boy about the age of the child YOU
lost. The sea will help her some, but
the child Will bring back her memory
if anything will"
DO you happen to know of any
child. doctor?" asked his companfon.
a big man with dark. sad looking ewes
and hair tinged with gray. 81 cannot
promise to adopt it at first. but If II
will help bring my wife back to her
old self / will take one for the sum.
mer at least, though it will be might,
hard to see another in my little son
place"
"No, answered the doctor 81 have
no child in mind, but when get bacb
in town III lcok around and see wbat
can do"
Flotsam waited no longer Her.
was a man who wanted a IittIe bov n
adopt. and he was littla bov +, A.
put out for adoptlon
He came from behind tbs wreck.
trembling lint brave and r.sei the