The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-09-04

widow. As soon as II was known what
labor she could do, those lntrusted with
the work of assisting the women and
children who had lost husband and
father, secured her a place In mills
where she could ply her trade, and she
became self supporting. Some time
after her arrival In America a little
girl was born to her, and although
there was n melancholy in not having
her husband with her at the time she
welcomed the child as a memento OF
her husband and as a solace In her
loneliness.
Amelia for awhile had a lingering
hope that Adolph might be picked up
and brought to land by some passing
vessel, but as month after month pass
ed and she heard nothing from him,
the hope gradually died away. She
was well skilled in her work and re-
ceived every attention and encourage
ment, as did all survivors of that ter
rible shpwreck.
And so time passed. The widow
worked hard and saved that she might
educate her child. Amelia was stiH
young and comely, with the fair hair
and complexion Of the people Of the
north and a pair of melancholy blue
eyes. Suitors came, but she listened
to none of them. From childhood she
had been Adolph Stairs sweetheart
and there was little prospect of her
ever giving herself to any other man.
Six years passed. Little Lena Stair,
who was now old enough to be amused
by pageants, when a Labor day came
round besought her mother to take her
to see the procession.
SO Mrs. Stahr, putting on the child's
best clothes, took her into the city and
found vacant stoop where they would
be sufficiently elevated to see the
marching men There they waited.
The child was wild with that excite
ment children Of her age display at
some unusual occurrence, especially a
parade. When necks were craned In
the direction the trades unions were
expected she would shout, Here they
come!" and when disappointed would
begin to look forward for the next fore
cast of the approach. In this way an
hour passed when a distant roll of
drums was heard, followed by faint
strains of martial music. Then Lena
danced and clapped her hands and
laughed with anticipation.
At last came the band, headed by the
drum major, whose tossing of his staff
was a delight to all unlocking children.
Then the grand marshal, surrounded
by his aids, passed by, followed by one
union after another. When the masons
passed suddenly man darted from the
ranks, pushed his way through the
crowd that lined the sidewalk and,
leaping over several small boys and
disarranging the big hats of number
of women, clasped Amelia in his arms.
The man was Adolph Stair, her hus-
band. Amelia saw him and knew him
before he reached her. Almost before
his arms were about her she lost con-
sciousness. Her first act after coming
to herself was to point to Lena.
Adolph understood, and, taking the
child in his arms, the three were united
in one embrace.
Stair, after parting with his wife on
the sinking vessel, began to think of
himself First he picked up a life
preserver and put 1t about him. He
was cool and took forethought for q
possible saving of his life. He secured
bottle of water and some meat and
bread. These, with q small flask Of
liquor he had brought with him on his
journey, he slowed away as best he
could on his person, then, returning to
the deck, gathered what loose material
he could to make raft.
The latter stood him in good stead,
for, embarking upon it, he managed to
paddle himself far enough away from
the ship not to be drawn down with
her when she sank. He was among
very few who did so, and soon after
the ship went down he became separat-
ed from that few.
He saw the steamer that came and
took up those in the boats, but he had
meanwhile drifted away from them too
| far to be seen or heard, but he re-
| joiced at the knowledge that those in
the boats, especially his young wife,
were saved. He drifted slowly on till
there was nothing in sight except the
sky and the ocean. The sea was COM
paratively calm and his bread and
meat he kept dry till it had been con-
sumed. This, with his bottle Of wa
ter, kept him alive for three days-days
Of horror, but not bereft of hope. Ships
passed, but they were too far away to
be attracted. At last he kept what re-
mained Of his strength by an occasion
al draft from his flask.
He was passing into semiunconscious-
ness when he was aroused by a shout
and saw a small boat pulled toward
him. He was taken on board a sailing
ship bound on a trading tour around