The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1909-08-26
OTSAM.
BY MoIlI5 L. Boody.

To be without ktth or kin at six is a
hard proposition, but to be six and
nave round, baby face framed In a
mass of golden curls, besides being so
small that one looks scarcely four, is
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.
II 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 faded away 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.
Uncle Ben had found him all alone
In little boat floating out to sea one
morning after a big storm, and had
named him Flotsam. He was all that
was ever found of some boat that
Eust have gone to pieces on the
rocks. The old lighthouse keeper be-
lieved It to have been a private yacht
and that friends would come some
day in search Of survivors or for news
of the wreck. But four years had
rolled away, the fourth taking Uncle
Ben with it, and as yet no one had
come.
II he could stay there little long
er, he thought. perhaps the Lady
would come, but they were to take
him to the city in the morning and
put him out for adoption, then he
was sure she could never find him.
The tears that he had fought back
all day could be restrained no longer.
and burying his face in the sleeve of
]
. until at last he sobbed himself to
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
backs 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
that summer. He was about to steal
quietly away when he caught bit OF
their conversation which caused him
to pause.
Yes" one Of the men was saying,
I would advise you to adopt a 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 companion,
big man with dark, sad-looking eyes
and hair tinged with gray. Il cannot
promise to adopt it at first, but If it
will help bring my wife back to her
old self i will take one for the sum
mer at least, though it will be mighty
hard to see another in my little sons
/ place"
NO" answered the doctor. AZ have
no child in mind, but when 1 get back
In town I'll look around and see what
I can do"
Flotsam waited no longer. Here
was man who wanted little boy to
adopt, and he was a little boy to be
put out for adoption.
He came from behind the wreck.
trembling but brave, and faced the
two men. Couldn't you please take
me instead of getting a little boy in
town." he asked. You see, I've got
to be 'dopted, and / don't like to leave
here just yet. cause I'm waiting for
my Lady to come"
Why, WHY" exclaimed the doctor.
good naturally. so you want to be
adopted Don't you suppose your
mother would object, young MANI"
Flotsam shook his head. II don't
'Xacuy want to be-" he answered.
out you see I haven't any father or
mother; I'm just Flotsam, cause I'm
Gle Ben found me in a boat and took
W @@'~ III his lighthouse. he s
dead now, though, and nobody wants
me, so I've got to be 'dopted."
Just then breeze caught Fiot-
sans shabby hat and blew it from his
mead revealing a mass of tangled
golden curls. The big man, who had
been listening eagerly to the child's
words, grasped the doctors arm.
Doctor" he whispered huskily, doc
tor that boy has the hair and eyes OF
my wife; he says he was found in a
boat Can it be possible-doctor, say
there's chance"
Steady. man, steady" said the
doctor, then turning to the eager
looking child. $50 you're Flotsam
are you? and who is the lady you are
waiting for?"
WELL" answered Flotsam, ~she
comes in dreams now. but / thought
she might come here some day look.
ing for me, cause Uncle Ben said-'