Saint Mary's beacon., 1909-04-01

ArHg9ed trunk, dismember'd and unaightiy,
To spainSr it 70 shivers '-' ~
TEE DooM OF pxvoRoorL.
The shore OF the Chesapeake be-
tween Cape St. Micheal-as the
northern keadland at the mouth of
the Potomac was denominated by the
early settlers-and the Patuxent, is
generally fat, and distinguished by
. clear pebbly beach or stand. The
shore, comprising about twenty miles
10 intersected by q single creek, that
OF st. Jerome, which enters the bay
some Eve or six miles north of the
Potomac. The line Of beach, which
/ have referred 10, is here and there
relieved by small elevations which
In any other region would scarce
deservethe name. but which are SUN.
ciently prominent In this locality TO
attract remark. From the general
level OF the country they rise high
enough 20 afford O clear prospect
over the wide waters, and no less 20
distinguish the land ward perspec-
tive 90 tothefnarinsr whose eyes Eager
ly seeks the varieties OF landscape
as he holds bis course up the bay.
At few points these small hills ter
inmate Immediately upon the tide In
the abrupt form Of O cliff, and, at
others. take the shape of q knoll
sinking away by rapid, but grass
covered, declivity 10 the stand. This
latter feature 10 observable In the
vicinity Of 80. Jerome's, where the
slope falls somewh hat abruptly 10 the
level Of the tide. leaving something
above fifty paces In width OF low
ground between It's base and the
ordinary water mark. It was upon
this nat that. In ancient times, stood
the dwelliHg.house OF Paul Kelpy
the fisherman-a long, low building
OF deal boards, constructed some
what in the shape Of o warehouse or
magazine. Some quarter of o mile
farther up.the beach. 90 sheltered
under the brow OF the slope as scarce
ly 70 be sean amongst the natural
shrubbery that shaded it, stood q
cottage or hut Of very humble pre-
tentions. To was so low that o man
OF ordinary height. while standing at
the door, might lay his hand upon
the caves Of the roof. and, CORES
pondent 20 les elevation. it was so
scanty In space as 20 afford but two
apartments, OF which the largest was
not above ten feet square. II was
strongly built OF hswn logs, and the
door. strengthened by nails thickly
studded over its surface, was further
fortified by o heavy paddock, which
rendered it sufficiently impregnable
against o sharper assault THAI might
be counted on from such rs ordinari-
ly should find motive TO molest the
proprietor Of such . dwelling.
A small enclosure surrounded
the hut and furnished ground for
some common garden plants which
were not neglected In sheir culture.
A few acres, On the higher plain
above the bank, exhibited signs of
husbandry; and the small nets and
other fishing tackle disposed about
the curtilage, together with a sklff
drawn up on the sand, gave evidence
OF the osaensible thrift by which the
occupant Of the hut obtained liveli
hood.
To this spot I propose to intro oduce
my reader, the day preceding that
at which my story has been opened.
10 was about IN hour before sunset,
and light drixxling rain, with q
steady wind from the north. east, in
fused o chilly gloom into eair. and
heightened the tone of solitude which
prevailed over the scene. A thin
curl OF smoke which rose from the
clumsy chimney OF the hut gave O
sign OF habisation 10 the premises,
and this was further confirmed by
the presence OF large and cross
visaged mastiff bitch, whose heavy
head might be discerned thrust forth
from beneath the sill OF the gable
o sullen wsrder OF this sulleu place
Of strength. The waves, now pro-
PEELED uD0n food tide. rolled In
upon the shore. and broke almost as
the door OF the hut. with q hoarse
aud harsh and ceaseless plash. Far
out over the bay. the white caps OF
the wind driven surge Hoated like
changing snow-drifts upon the sur.
face Of the waters. The water fowl
rose In sQuadr0ns above this murky
waste and struggled TO wind ward
In . flight SD low a frequently tc
shield them from the sight in the
spray. An old bald eagle perched
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