The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-26
A BURIAL
BY MARTHA v. MONROE.

The sun was standing low or the
coast. about to go down into a bank (
OF red clouds, when French ship was T
noticed making for the harbor. She |
came on until within mile of the |
docks, when she was brought up to /
the wind and the stiffness was broken I
by the rattle of her anchor chain in |
her hawse pipes. followed by another |
rattle marking the lowering of her |
sails.
On the dock were various loiterers |
all looking at the Frenchman. There |
were customs house men. ready to balk
any attempt at smuggling, free traders
watching for an opportunity to get
goods of the new conner without pay
ment OF duties, and the chronic Ioun-
ger. who has no business in view what
ever. The chief Of the customs officers
deployed his subordinates as a general
would post his men to be ready to
meet possible attack. He was a
pompous old fellow, seemingly as anx-
ious to display his zeal as to do his
duty by his government and ready to
nip in the bud any attempt TO run
goods ashore surreptiously.
'.They are lowering boat. SIR said
one of his men. saluting respectfully.
Notify all the stations was the
prompt reply. 1T will doubtless not
move till after dark, when it will make
for one of the creeks. She must be
intercepted
But the boat did not wait for the
n oy,I-~,
leased from the dayits, and, what was
still less anticipated, was pulled direct
ly for the dock where the chief was
standing. On came the boat. bobbing
up and down over the waters, whose
| crests were made blood red by the
rays of the sinking SUM-
They've got box aboard, SIR re-
| marked a customs officer.
The chief knit his brow and drew
down the corners Of his mouth severe
~. indicating that any attempt to de-
fraud the government would go hard
with the perpetrators, but on second
thought he concluded that people did
not attempt to smuggle thus openly
| and relaxed.
Its a coffin, sir" said another.
Somebody's dead"
''Of course if there's a coffin" said
1 the chief sternly, somebody's dead.
You don't suppose they'd be bringing
it ashore empty.
When the boat pulled up at the foot
of the steps of the dock those looking
on took off their hats respectfully in
presence of the dead. A Frenchman
with a serious expression came up. and
the chief of the customs advanced to
meet him.
"Are you the mayor?' asked the sail.
or in broken speech.
I'm the collector of the port" was
the dignified reply.
well. monsieur, If you have the au
thority | would be obliged if you would
grant US a permit to bury body il
your cemetery | had on board my
ship an American missionary lady
coming home from India. She was
delicate and from the first. having
worn out her body In an eXecrable eli
mate in the service of the Lord,
feared that she would never complete
!, the voyage. Growing rapidly worse
she exacted promise from me that il
case she died before reaching port
would not commit her body to tn
! deep The waves are so dreadful sh
} said, so merciless. Take me to tn
: shore, put me in the ground and plan
a willow beside my grave
The captain paused, took out a bar
danna handkerchief and wiped hi
eyes.
? Pardon this emotion, monsieur bu
7 the good lady was so kind to US al
t Every one of my men was devoted
: her. She converted nearly all til
j crew"
z He turned, cast a glance at the me
5 In the boat, and they, too. showed
i similar emotion.
e ITO keep my promise and to do wha
{ little | can to return the many kline
Y nesses of this admirable woman
= came far out of my way at great los
& of time and money to leave her r
n mains in your soil. l trust now that
}. have told my simple story you will III
: refuse me-"
II The chief stood listening respectful.
e feelingly to the recital Though
4 pompous man, he was tender hear
ed one. and the story moved him.
,e do not think, monsieur" he sal
" that the French are the only Poop
lie to possess that consideration for the
d fellows which. / admit, they have
is an extraordinary degree. Permit u
S. to thank you in the name of Il
a. United States government for yo'
y kindness to an American lady. B
your men remove the body from Il
Sc boat and l will myself conduct you
II our little cemetery. $3.50. ~e-------
W He sent a messenger ahead to maj
Id the necessary arrangements, and VIII
lie the coffin was brought ashore procs
or sion of melancholy sailors, nearly
lie In tears, wended its way slowly
lie ward the cemetery. Then after wa
Mt ing Il short while for the completl
es of the opening of the grave, the DO