Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-10

But suddenly. the boat grated lts
keel on the sand, and from behind the
sail sprang two men, small, light
creatures They leapt up the beach
coming to the very spot where Nor
man stood.
Are you Norman. the son OF Dan
the fisherman" asked one Of the little
fellows. He was dressed like sailor
only was not soiled and tanned az
most sailors are His companion was
the same in dress and person.
Eyes, I'm Norman, the son of Dan
the fisherman" replied Norman, won
dering what these strange little sail.
ors could want OF him.
Come with us and We'll take you to
a place in mid-ocean where you will
find your father shipwrecked."
my daddy" Norman exclaimed.
"Ah, that is the reason why he has not
come today. Oh, take me at once,
good sailors"
I'VE are faries,' said the one who
had not spoken. Fairy sailors, and
we sail the ocean deep to assist those
in distress. Come with u.s."
Norman ran to the boat and sprang
into it. The fairy sailors followed
him, and soon the sail was filled with
the wind and carrying the light craft
to sea. They went like the wind
which swept them before 1t, and Nor
man sat in the Prov, looking sea-
ward.
Soon they were out of sight Of
land and Norman began to feel sleepy.
Take nap, son. said one Of the
fairy sailors. We'll call you when
We arrive at the sea-grit rocks So
Norman dropped into light slumber,
but all the time that he slept his ears
were filed with the sound of the dash
ing waves and the song Of the wind In
the sail. After about half an hour OF
sleep he was awakened by One Of the
sailors touching his shoulder. Come
there are the rocks-and there is your
fathers boat, Comet"
Norman did not need second wax
ing He was on his feet instantly and
looking toward a dark object in the
center of the mad, foamy waves. 1t
was the little island or rock upon
which many a good vessel had gone to
her ruiz. Norman could see the Gull
making frantic efforts to get out OF
lAC u1du W0UCA0 WAACA uaoACu OooAASS
the rocks, and he could also see the
three fishermen, his father, old Jack
and young Tom. How they were fight
ing for their life.
Nov we shall 60 right up to them
and rescue them" said one Of the
fairy sailors. And right into the
roaring water went the fairy
craft without so much as tipping to
one side. And all the time her great
sail remained spread.
Come ahead" said the fairies, ad
dressing the men who were fighting
for their lives. Come, don't stay by
your boat Well tow it out Of danger
as soon as ever we have you three NOR
tails safe and sound"
Then Dan, the f1sherman old Jack,
his mate, and young Tom, the appren-
tice, were in the fairies boat, and Dan
was hugging his son to his wet breast.
We'll, how did you come here, me
boy?" asked the good man when he
could! speak for his emotion.
And Norman whispered to his "a
Their the story Of the fairies coming
for him and of their journey to the sea-
grit rocks.
AL, OWL, ~ 10 WY on "AAoSb os~AN
Dan. "But-we must save our load OF
Ash. It's a great haul, that I can tell
We, lad"
Soon The Gull was made fast to the
fairy bark and away the two sped over
the sea till they were in safe waters
once more Then the captain OF the
fairy ship said to Dan: "Now you may
re-enter your boat, you and your men.
And If you wish it, we shall also leave
your son in your care"
But good Dan shook his shaggy
head. mo, my good fairies he said,
I'VE might get into another gale and
meet with trouble. You take my boy to
his home and leave him safe and
sound on the sandy beach where he
will wait for his daddy. / would not
like to risk the little laddie's life by
having him in this boat. The weather
is rough and we may see some more
danger before we get into port"
So they parted company, Dan, old
Jack and young Tom sailing away in
The Gull, while Norman was taken fly
ing like a bird over the waters in the
fairy bark And pretty soon he landed
safe and sound and as dry as a sun
baked fishbone on the sandy beach of
his own dooryard. And feeling drowsy,
he stretched out in the late afternoon
sun and fell fast asleep.
But his slumber was not to remain
unbroken long, for suddenly his ears
caught his fathers voice, calling out
to him: eli, sonny, lad! Hi, there!
Sleeping like a little alligator in the
sand, Ell! Come, give US welcome.
We've got the finest haul Of fish for
many a moon"
Norman jumped to his feet, shook
himself and rubbed his eyes. "Ah, here
you are, daddy. Why, you got here al
most as quickly as did. You see, even
a fairy ship cannot get ahead Of The
Gull. But, say, wasn't that terrible
place where you were stuck upon the
rocks?'
why, sonny" said Dan, the fisher
man, standing on the beach and look
ing at his son wonderously. "Why,
son, what's in your noodle? We have
not been on the rocks-nor have we
seen any fairy boat-nor have I set
eyes on you before for two weeks.
You've been asleep and dreaming"