The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-12-24


Shott had resolved to do the thing
We'll now he was embarked upon II,
no haif-waIer measures for him.
EaCh man, receiving his allowance,
raised his drinking vessel IN the di-
rec:ion Of Mrs. HapShott, who was
watching them from above, and drank
d silent toast, to her and to the n1eu1-
Dry of Christrnases past.
SO the wonderful day passed away.
and ance again night dropped down
upon the sea.
We'll have To make up for what
we've lost" said the skipper over the
supper table that night We ought
to have been d good forty miles fur
tner south than We are" He was be-
ginning to repent his action, but the
serene content OF his wife's face
more than made up for this tumhiing
apart Of accepted ideas.
But he men have holiday till mid
/ night; don't forget that said Mrs.
Hapshott. They've enjoyed their
day-I know it, Hiram. I'm glad I
spoke-Fm glad I spoke
She went to bed, but sleep de-
! serted her eyeIids.
The craving for motherhood that
the happiness OF the day had set
aside returned to her in double meas-
| urc; the fierce mother hunger OF her
| heart would not be ~assuaged. Vain
Iy now did she attempt to combat
II SC1AA A16S AL OI0 SKI SOSA Z
herself thai God was Just and swift
to repay ~ kindly action.
| fte- child was gone forever: there
could be another child. Her
!ife was N empty. useless thing-no.
| not altogether useless. TWENTY men
! had been given &, days happiness
i through her intervention: that in it
| self was something to remember with
gratitude
She heard eight belts struck over
! head: she heard the voice OF the
mate. newly come on deck. bawling
tt, the men to make sail and trim
the yards; h felt the ship gather
hsrself together and leap through
the growing waves. she heard the
strain and ereak OF the deck pianks,
the vibrant senses OF speed. But
still she could not sleen' her pain
began to give place TO a growing sus-
penSe. She was on the verge OF some
marvellous discoVery-somewhere in
the world outside there was some
thing that meant more han life or
death to her.
She rose. slipped on her clothing,
and went swiftly out on deck.
"ffirarn-what was that" The
skipper had awakened and. missing
her. had made for the deck. The
faint streaks in the sky showed him
q strange figure. clad in a gaudy
sleeping suit such as sailors love. Mrs
Hapshott eiutched at his arm and
held tightly.
Whats what" He had been
thinking what a foot he would seer
day now past, and his manner was
ungracioUs.
That" Her finger was outstretch.
cd and quiyering, but all beyond was
still dark.
"a sea hird-your nerves are or
I l f3rN - HG. told Nor bVno <|,o+J, ~.
it ia sea bird: they cry out louC
with the dawn. It's their way, O
welcoming it."
Mrs. Hapshett drew herself to tn,
tatfrail and leaned out, listening. TIL
wind was failing again: the ship hae
almost lost her way; she was onl,
crawling through the water. to tn.
accompaniment of Tapping eanya:
a1oft- Captain Hapshott began t
pace he deck, looking to windward t,
see what romise the growing da.
would bring.
Hiram, 1t wasn't a sea bird TIL.
Weman's voice WAS full OF somethins
to- which her husband could put n.
name.
|t TT must have been-what els,
could 1t be, lass?"
ITO me it sounded Hke-but, nc
that's f~oolishness. My mind is play
ing me tricks, husband" But Sit,
did not leave the rail for fully tweat,
A3ittiitcS, lli0 tA1t1S IL way til step dow
h ladder an to walk briskly alon,
h deck until she reached the fore
castle h could not have explain
ed to herself what impulse took he
II there: It was something outside her
self. some strange power working de
tached1y. yet compelling her TO ODE
III it's behestS.
It'll She crouched up in the bows
II watching the sparkle OF water sprin
~urgiing from the forefoos. watchin
the frothing bubbles stream away O
either side the black bluff bow. A,
III ways that same feeling OF suspens
as if she tren1bled on the verge Of
Hi great discovery held her enthraled
Eainly she shook herself and as
s,zred her own heart Of it's foolish
ness. Vainly she tried to dra~ hersel
away from her seif-appointea DOS
The air was chill with the beginning
II OF the dawn wind: h shiyered re
peatcd!y and remained.