Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-02-23
A BURIAL,
BY MARTHA v. MONROE.

BY MARTHA ". MONROE.
Copyright. 1909. by American Press Asso-
ciation.i
The sun was standing low Oh the
coast. about to go down into bank
Of red clouds. when a French ship was
noticed making for the harbor. She
came on until within a mile of the
docks, when she was brought up to
the wind and the stiffness was broken
by the rattle Ut 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 ut the Frenchman. There
were customs house men, really to balk
any attempt ut smuggling. free traders
watching for an opportunity to get
goods Of the new conner without pay
ment of duties. and the chronic loun.
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
darkness. She put off as soon as re-
leased from the davits, and. what was
still less anticipated. was pulled direct
~ 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 sun.
'"They've got box aboard. SIR re.
marked customs officer
The chief knit his brow and drew
down the corners Of his mouth severe
ly. indicating that any attempt to de-
fraud the government would 60 hard
with the perpetrators. but on second
thought he concluded that people did
not attempt to smuggle thus openly
and relaxed.
'1t's coffin, SIR" said another.
"Somebody's dead"
"Of course if there's a coffin" said
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 of their hats respectfully in
presence of the dead. A Frenchman
with 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 l would be obliged If you would
grant us a permit to bury a body III
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 in
case she died before reaching port l
would not commit her body to the
deep. The waves are so dreadful she
said, so merciless. Take me to the
shore, put me in the ground and plant
a willow beside my grave"
The captain paused, took out a BAN
danna handkerchief and wiped his
eyes.
"PardOn this emotion, monsieur, but
the good lady was so kind to US all.
Every one Of my men was devoted to
her. She converted nearly all the
crew."
He turned, cast glance at the men
in the boat, and they. too. showed a
similar emotion.
ITO keep my promise and to do what
little l can to return the many kind
nesses Of this admirable woman |
came far out Of my way at great loss
Of time and money to leave her re-
mains in your soil. l trust now that I
have told my simple story you will not
refuse me.'
The chief stood listening respectfully.
feelingly to the recital. Though a
pompous man, he was tender heart
ed one. and the story moved him.
do not think. monsieur" he said,