Year: 1862

so we bound him for his own safety


''In few minutes after they were landed
Neds wife came. We had sent boy for spir-
its and things and he, youngster-like, told what
Ned was about. None who were there will ev-
er forget that fair young thing as she fell on her
knees by her husbands side and swooned away
with her head on his breast.


''Ah, the man that had just hrayed such dan
ger, wept like child as he smoothed tho golden
hair of his wife


''As weak as a child he was, too, from loss of
blood Well, other women came soon after,
and bound up their wounds, and then we got a
cart and brought them down to my house
eleven men and three boys were the crew Of
the Ilesperus, as the ship was called, and only
that one man saved He lay for days-very
quiet at last-and scarce spoke word. What
he did say was about his mother, and the name
of some young woman. When we stripped him
by the doctors orders--we found little pack
ct hung around his neck by black riband, and
as it WAS wet with the salt water, we took it a.
way to dry. Ny wife who tended him more
than the rest said he seemed 10 keep cropping
for something III his bosom, so she put it back
again: and when he found it there all right he
never stroye to rise and call out as he did before
1t is not for me to say, but my old woman al
ways considered that packet to hold some true
love token. She often said she wished she knew
for she thought how glad his mother aRd sweet
heart would he to know he was alive


''Well, he went on in that strange way nigh
on three weeks, and we did not know so much
us the name of the sick man. Just Us Ned was
going about again all well, we thought the sight
OF him might bring the sailorto his recOlections.
So Ned went and sat hv the bedside till he a
woke. 1t was getting near Christmas, and he
wanted the poor man to be well enough to en-
Joy the time with MS. When he opened his eyes,
Ned held out his hand, and says he:


Give you JOY, eomrade Ay, see you'll be
more than match for me qeXt turn we have,
particularly when lis grass we stand on


''With that the tears came into his poor, dim
eyes, and catching Ned's hand, he said:


Il remember now. Were none saved but me2'


''Ned was fearful to tell the truth, in case it
might make him worse, so he Inst laughed and
said;


"You've been SO long sleeping off the effects
&c Your wetting, that they've gone and left You.
But It's time knew your name, stranger, if
II pleaae you 10 tel. =


"Gascoigne," he -"Richard Gascoigne.
Has no one written to my mother p


''How could We" says Ned ''as we did not
know where she ived!'


'With that he got up TO come away, for he
was afraid if he stayed he'd tell himself about
his shpmatcs, only three of whose bodies were
ever found


..iIe'd just got to the door when the poor man
wanted him TO come back, but before he could
tam about the parson came into the room, and
Ned GOT away


1--WE never knew the particulars for certain,
but always believe. to this day, the young man
was no common sailor.


E.The parson used to come and sit with him
hours together. and fine lot of letters they
wrote between them. But we were never the
wiser for any of ther scholarship doings, but in
one thing and that won't he forgot round here
for manv's long day.


"The Christmas day we were all standing a.
bout me church door, shaking hands, and wish
inc each other merry Christmas and happy
New Year, when the Iittle gate that led from
the parsonage lawn into the church-yard opened,
and lady came among us, so beautifully dress
ed and so beautiful herself that we all stopped
talking to look at her.


''Im before my story, though, for / should
have told you the stranger had gone to the par
sonage as soon rs he could be moved.


''Well, the lady came forward into the midst
of the crowd and she said


(Which of ali YOU brave kind men is Edward
Smccth?'


'Ned was inst behind me, and seemed ready
to slink away, but pushed him fore, and said
/:


''If it please your ladyship, that's him.


''Well, Ned knowed manners too well to run
L.
girl


''The lady took his hand, and seemed going
to make speech; but she had only Just begun
her thanks when her heart rose her throat, and
the tears stood in her. eyes, and she only said,
God bless you and put little box into Neds
hand, and then kissed his great rough hand as if
had been a babys face. Ned seemed struck all
of heap. He looked at the things she had CIV
en- him, and turned his hands as if he expected
to see a mark where her beautiful lips had touch
ed


''Well, as the lady could not speak for her.
SELF the person up and told us all the sense of it.
How that there was grand place up to Lon
don, with great many grand people, who sub
scribed among them to reward them that saved
life


''And proud" says the parson, proud / am
that such token has come into my parish


He said many kind and good words, and then
told Ned to open the little box and show what
was in it. There, sure enough, was q beautiful
medal with Ned's name, and the name of the man
saved and soRe Latin words, which the par
son said was that we should never give up trying
to save life, for perhaps little spark of hope
might yet remain, though all seemed gone.


''Ah! here comes Ned, he'll be proud to show
your honor the medal"


SO we walked into Neds cottage hardly, and
Were delighted to find that, though seven long
years had passed-years that had robbed him