Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-11-09

lonely hearth smoking and thinking.
The wind blew and howied about the
little brown house 1t rushed down
the chimney and beat against the side
of the house until 1t rocked. But Ben
does not notice bit of wind.
Presently his gloomy thoughts got
the better of him. The tiny room
seemed to grow as narrow and as suf-
locating as a grave. and be rushed out
into the night and the storm, where be
could draw in deep breaths Of the
wild salt air.
There was no rain. but the clouds
were scurrying swiftly across the sky.
And well they might with such wind
at their heels.
Such wind! II Ben had not been
the broad, sturdy fellow that he was
It would have blown him off his feet.
But as it was he strobe up and down
the beach with long, fierce strides and
needed neither the wind nor the roar
ing surf.
Was it strange that. with the fierce
storm ranging without and the equally
fierce storm raging within. Skipper Ben
should not have heard the shrieks and
cries of distress that night? Not so
very strange. think, but what was
strange was that above all the din and
commotion he should have heard a
feeble wail-the faintest little wall in
the world.
But he heard 1t at any rate and hur-
ried to the spot whence it came.
There, lying on the beach, with its
frock securely fastened to broken
spar. was little child.
"Why, you poor little creeterp' ex-
claimed Ben as he unfastened the
dress. "How'n the world did you git
out hereT
The baby stopped crying as soon as
she saw him and, stretching out her
tiny arms, gave little chuckle OF de-
light
He picked her up tenderly and,
wringing out the soaked little gar
ments, which were like cobwebs and
were trimmed with the finest lace,
buttoned her up inside his heavy
jacket.
Then it was that he heard the shouts
and cries for the first time and saw
men running helplessly up and down
the beach and gazing seaward.
What were they looking at? Look
ing at nothing. They were staring
and gaping at the place where good
ship had just gone to pieces. Could
no one be saved? No; it was impos-
sible. No boat could live in such O
surf, and there is, moreover, no life
boat at the Cove.
The ship went to pieces where she
struck OF all the crew not one lived
to tell the tale. and of all the passen-
gers not one was saved except the lit
tie baby buttoned up under Skipper
Ben's rough pilot jacket.
But the baby lived and was like o
sunbeam in the little brown house, fol
no one talked of putting her In the
asylum. Nor is there any orphan asy
lum at the Cove. though there are or
phans in plenty. for many a good fel
not supposing that he has said goodby
for the last time to the youngsters nj
home.
The baby cried for mamma" little
at first. but she soon learned to say
ben" instead. And from that day on
the little room never became narrow
and stuffy. and Ben's pipe was the
pipe of peace and comfort.
The next year. when he went to the
banks, he left her in the care of Lisha
fuckers wife at the store. but the year
after she cried so hard when he was
going that he took her with him. And
ever since she has been his constant
companion, and he named her Dolly.
Five years have passed since that
stormy night. and Dolly Is six years
old. She is bright, happy little girl,
and she loves the grim old ocean dear
ly, even If 1t did so nearly become her
tomb
Sometimes in the evening when the
wind is blowing and shaking the little
brown house and the fire Is roaring
brightly aud merrlIy up the chimney
Skipper Ben will tell Dolly how be
found her lying on the beach securely
fastened TO broken spar.
Then he will pull out little old
worn leather trunk and will take fron
1t the once dainty baby clothes. They
are yellow now and still stained witt
sea water. lie will hold the delicats
fabric In his hard. rough hand witt
reverential awe and look with wonder
at the little faded blue ribbons tina
3nce were shoulder knots.
81 wonder who your parents was!'
be says to Dolly. only think wha
| you might ha' been. Why. you nigh
| ha' been markisr'
Skipper Ben's round blue eyes be
come rounder and bluer at the thought
and he takes his pipe from bis mouth.
You might ha' been a dorchessi"
But Dolly shakes her head with be
brown curls and lays her cheek agains
BeD's rough coat. saying: mo. no. II
rather be Skipper Bens girl
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