Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-04-16


at his bidding. To have written one
word, to have sent his mother his care
fully boarded savings, would have been
a boon for which he would gladly have
risked everything. But the fear OF an
ignominious death kept him silent. The
mental strain had told upon him; the
pale face wore a settled tinge of sad
ness. while the brown hair had changed
to iron gray.
The good ship Aurora finally found
refuge in the harbor of Cronstadt. Rus
sia was on the eve of war with Tur-
key, and the cargo of naval stores In
the Aurora's hold found a good market
with the warlike Moscovites.
It was a gala day. The Russian
fleet was to be inspected by high dig
nitaries, and each man-of-war was
gayly bedecked with bunting. The Au-
rora had also put on her holiday attire
with yards squared, running gear haul
ed taut, brass work glistening merrily'
the Stars and Stripes floating proudly
from the monkey gaff.
The boom Of cannon, assembling OF
officers and marines, the manning ol
yards, and a succession Of wild huz-
zas, announced the coming OF the royal
steam yacht, bearing on board the car
of all the Russias.
Dick Granger, arrayed in his best at
tire, stood by the signal halyards, wait
ing for the proper moment to dip the
ensign in honor of the event.
The royal yacht passed slowly
through the fleet, the quarter-decR
crowded by gay and glittering throne
of ladies and gentlemen. The hand
some American clipper-ship was the
center of attraction, and from the spa
cious deck Of the yacht rose suodued
murmur of applause.
A child, in its eagerness to witness
the spectacle, approached the broad
open gangway of the royal yacht. A
slight lurch was sufficient for the little
unpracticed feet to lose their hold. the
1.-THE body lost its equilibrium. "A
scream, a fash Of white clothing amlo
the eddying wake astern. terror ano
confusion on the deck Of the yacht
were events that followed each other
in rapid succession.
While the stupid, stolid sailors o1
the czar hesitated, abashed by the
presence of their all-powerful ruler
Dick, who had witnessed the accident
was overheard quick as flash. The
cold waters of the Neva caused him TO
gasp for breath, while the child, weigh
ed down by her clothing, sank beneath
the surface, a hoarse roar resounding
in Dicks ears as he, too, disappeared
from view.
Down, down amid the treacherous,
swirling tides of the Neva went the
brave Dick, his hands clutching the
outspreading clothing; then up, up
with a terrible pressure on his heart, a
wild commotion like the roar of cat
aract resounding in his ears. A dozen
hands proffered the aid so sorely need
ed, and Dick, still clinging to his little
charge. was taken on board the yacht
He was partly conscious of the pres
ence of a tall, majestic figure standing
beside him; uniforms, ladies. and jew
els danced before his eyes; an Icy
tightness tugged at his heart, then un-
consciousness mercifully came to his
relief.
Ten days later and the young mate
was closeted with Captain Bell in the
cabin Of the Aurora.
1T is a short yarn, but an eventful
one, sir. The child 1 saved was IA
vorite grandchild Of the cars. He ex-
pressed his gratitude in warm terms
and made me a proposition to enter
his service as captain. l accepted
knowing you would not object to this
my great opportunity in life. He took
from his breast a decoration and pin
ned it to mine. Here is my uniform;
nv frigate is moored astern Of the Au-
rora; and oh, Captain Bell, my heart Is
too full to say more. l owe 1t all tc
YOU and your kind heart. God bless
YOU for it all, and the helping hand
you extended to a poor, friendless vag-
abond."
Orders came for the fleet to sail, and
Dick bade his friend and benefactol
| farewell.
We'll, Dick" and Captain Belrs
voice trembled with emotion, so oul
cruising together has ended in this
You are a full fedged Russian, with
sword, epaulets, cooked hat, and an or
der on your breast With the friend.
ship of the czar to back you, 1t will be
all plain sailing, l fancy. You came
to me in rags, and you leave the ole
ship logged out like a lord. You de-
serve it all. You have been a gooc
boy, and faithful to your duty. Bu
there goes the signal-gun to unmoor
God be with you, my lad. Don't forge
the Stars and Stripes in your new ca
reer. Good-by."
On swept the fleet, moving maJesti'
cally from the harbor. One frigat'
lowered it's white ensign emblaZonet
with a blue cross as she glided closel!
alongside the American ship. The fig
ure of an old man stood on the quar-
ter-deck with uncovered head the colt
wind tossing his silvery locks about II
wild confusion. The form of a naVa
officer was seen in the miZZen-rigging
standing out clear as silhouette
against the gloomy horizon.
"Good-by, Captain Bell, dear ole
friend!" came from the frigate. Re
member to deliver the package to m!
mother hope to meet you at my
home before the close of another year.
A last wave of the hand, longing
lingering glance, and Captain Bell re-
tired to his cabin to smoke, to ponder
and muse, with great tears rolling
down his furrowed, weather-beatel
cheeks.
A year rolled swiftly by, and th'
Aurora once more rode to her anchor:
in a home port, with Captain Bell bust
ling about, anxious to seize the frs
opportunity to acQuit himself OF th'
errand with which he had been in