STORIES AND SKETCHES BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 57

STORIES AND SKETCHES BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

IX.— THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

By Lucy Digbt-Smith (16 years), Normal

Boom, boom, sounded the minute gun over tho coating deep oae wild* stormy Christmas

Eve — indeed, so terrible were the lashing of the waves and tho roaring of the angry wind that ib seemed as though the elements were at w«r with one another. All along the beach "yrexo groups of men and women, pale and awestricken by the fearful danger those on the wreck were exposed to, and, at each repetition of the dull booming of the gun, fervent prayers were offered up to the Almighty for power to aid the wrecked ones. Although the ship was only a few mile 3 from the rocky coast, so dangerous was that part of Wales that even the stoutest held their breath when they saw how frail, how utterly unfit to battle with wind and waves wore their little fishing boats.

Apart from the fishermen and their wives, there sat in the shelter of a reck against which the waves dashed wildly a slight girl of about 18. It was easy to see that she was no kinswoman of those- rough though tender-hearted women near her. No, Dora Penhur&t, with her invalid mother, had but lately arrived at this little out-of-the-way fbhing hamlet. Very few knew why. Yet had they g»zed into the sad, yearning eyeß of the mother and the brave, sorrowful Mice of her daughter they would have needed no one to tell them that sorrow and troubla — aye, such trouble as come 3to but too many — had been theirs. Two years previously Mr aud Mrs Penhurst had taken their two ckildieu, Djra and Mutiel, to live for a short time at Swansea for the benefit of Mr Peahurst's health. While they were there an accident wbioh deprived Mrs Penhurst of both husband and child happened. Mr Penhurst had taken his youuger daughter, Muriel, then about 14, with him in a rowing boat ou.the haibcur. So much was known, but no more, for they never ciuse back, and by one blow Mrs Penhurst and Bora were parted from those they loved best on earth. Djia bnreup bravely, but her mother was utterly prostrated by the shock, atul it was thought; that she would never rally. However, uwipg to God'a mercy and her daughter's faithful care, -Mm Penhurat was^ abe, though dreadfully changed, to bi in. the busy world again. Finally she went, as we know, to live at Cuxhaven, for instead of dreading the sea she hungered fon a sight of it, hoping ever, With <i peculiarly sanguine spirit, that her husband and child might sbill live and bo restored to her. On the nigbt of the wreck neither Dora nor her mother could rest", so at last Dora, unable to remain inactive any longer — lirst rcakicg her mother comfottable — made her way down to the bjach to do what she could. Seeiug from her position on the rook how LesiUting tLe men seemed about venturing forth on tha dark wateix, she approached the little knot of fishormen, sapcl, calling forth all ber powers of earnest entreaty, begged — yes, begged— them'to try. Oh ! how helpless she felt having to stand idly on the beach herself, asking others to go ! How she winhed she wore a man for bufc a few hours ! But the man had got what they needed— encouragement. They .lost no time, and bravely did they fight their way to the sceae of disaster. Six boats act out, but three were driven back, so only three, though nearly swamped again and again, were left to do the work of saving perhaps hundreds of souls. Happily the veESfil, which they found to be a sailing ship bound for Liverpool, was laden with cargp and bore only 12 passengers. Nearly all were put iuto the fksfc ioa<", bub just rs she was leaving a falling yard struck her, and, although she was nob quite eap.Mzeci, several of the people were thrown into the wafcor. No lives were lost, _for there was One watching over them all the time, but wheu tbe shore was gained some were unconscious. Kind bands tended the wrecked ones '; arimulanlfe were given and homes offered. Dora Feuhurst told the men to bring two or three to their house, asut was larger than most of theirs, and then went homo to warn her mother and m*ke all things ready to recaivc her midnight vi3'tors.

The men were cot long with their burdtns — such sad ones — and, placing fchem gently on the bed, They tlepped back to let the two gentle women take their place. None were prepared for lAic c.cy from both Doca and Mrs Peuhurnt which was uttered at the sight of the unconscious torais ou the bed. How could they know that the very ones they bad borne up from the beach were the lost dear ones of that home ! Rough fishermen though they were, thsy picked Mrs Peuhursfc up like s. child and lsid her in her own room. Dora attended to her, bub her mother sent her in to revive the others.

When phe saw them life wan in them and the blood once more coursing through their veins. Sba)l we pass over fie happy union of those four ou that early Christmas morning and find out how II vraa that Mr Pauhurst and Muriel came to be on the Alice ?

Me Penhursb knsw perfectly how to manage a boats, aud S3, although they went far down thohsibour, entertained no feai'a for their safety. About 5 o'clock in tho afternoon a si iff breeze sprung up, and Mr Penhureb's utmost i ff i>rfcs were in.-ufficittnt to keep the boat, from gradually drifiiug out to sea. Muriel, intent on holdiug on her hat and keeping her sea'; in the boat, thought they were on their way home again, and it was not till after aboub an bout's hard rowing aud her father seemed utterly exhausted that she realised the real state of affairs. As often happens in times of renl danger, their thoughts and fears « ere for those they had left bebiDd ; but as hour after hour paesed and they seemed to gain nothing, but rather (o drift farther out to sea, they felt that they had now no hope but that ever-powerful one, their Father in heaven. They prayed that night for themselves as they bad often before prayed for others in distress or danger, and as if in answer to their prayers they saw a, light, and made it out to be on a ship close at hand. They shouted till they were hoarse, but no answer came, v<hen on the wind was borne a welcome sound — "Ahoy, there!" "Ahoy!" went back, and soon little twinkling lights approached or went away from them, for although the storm was spent the moon did not shine very brightly. Ju6t as a boat came near them the moon uncovered her face aud shed a bright light over the waters. The two, almost exhausted, were taken over to the Alice, a»d became her passengers for more than a month. The vessel was goiDg southwards first, and theD, after receiving cargo, turned her head towards Liverpool. Contrary winds delayed her course, stormy seas threatened her all the way, and did their work of destruction off the west coast of Wales. There is not a happier family in England than that of the Peahursts— once broken up— and if you do not believe it ask any of the fisher folk of Cuxhaven who are the 6uube»ms

of the hamlet, and if that wreck did not givtf them tho nicest Christmas present' they' had ever had.