Martha Finley

“ You are too young for that,” laughed Grandma Elsie, “as well as too young to talk so wisely and well.”
“Yes, ma’am; but my papa helps me,” murmured the weak little voice, and everybody looked at Max and laughed.
“What a nice little truth-speaker you are, little niece,” said Lucilla, leaning over the babe and softly touching its cheek.
“I want to be that always, auntie,” replied the same little voice which had spoken before.
“Oh, what a good little thing you are,” laughed Ned. “I’m glad to be your uncle.” ”

“ No, sir; what is it?” he asked, putting his hand into that of his father. “Nothing bad, I guess, ’cause you look pleased; and so do sister and uncle.”
“I hope you, too, will be pleased when you hear it,” said his father. “You have a little niece, Ned. You are an uncle.”
“Oh, am I? Why how did it happen? Where is she?”
“Only a little baby,” laughed Lucilla. [44] “Brother Max and Sister Eva are her father and mother.” ”

“ The homeward trip of the Dolphin was a speedy and successful one. Her passengers, healthy and happy, enjoyed it greatly, yet were rejoiced when she cast anchor, one lovely morning, in the harbor near their homes, where they were wont to leave her, to travel the few remaining miles on land.
They had been expected at about that time, and Edward and Zoe Travilla were there to meet them. Grandma Elsie was the first to step on shore, and Edward caught her in his arms with a glad exclamation:
“Oh, mother, I am so rejoiced to have you at home again! We can’t do without you. ”

“ The sea was rolling heavily under a stiff breeze. The Frolic fired very rapidly, delivering three broadsides to the Wasp’s two, both crews cheering loudly; as the ships wallowed through the water abreast of each other the Americans fired as the engaged side of their ship was going down, aiming at the Frolic’s hull, while the English fired while on the crest of the sea, their shot going high. The water flew in clouds of spray over both vessels, they rolling so that the muzzles of the guns went under. ”

“ Then Grace read: “The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall He rejoice.”
Then Lucilla read: “Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.”
“Seek the Lord and His strength: seek His face evermore,” read little Elsie.
Then Harold: “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”
Then Herbert: “Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord, JEHOVAH, is everlasting strength.”
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Then Max: “Let him take hold of any strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” ”

“ He paused, and after a moment’s silence the captain spoke:
“You mean my daughter Grace? Surely, you forget that I long ago consented to the match.”
“If I would serve for her as Jacob did for Rachel; but I want her now, and if you will give her to me directly I will watch over her with all the care and solicitude of both a devoted husband and physician; and I think you will find that marriage will not break down her health. Has not that improved under my care? and may we not hope to see still greater improvement when she is my dear devoted wife?—for she does love me, unworthy as I am.” ”

“ At that moment the vehicle came to a standstill at the veranda steps, and instantly out sprang a manly form and came quickly up them.
“Walter!” exclaimed Herbert, reaching out his hand, which the other grasped and shook heartily.
“Yes, brother mine, it is I. Where’s mother? Mother! mother, dear! Oh, how glad I am to have you in my arms once more!” as she sprang forward with a cry of joy.
“Walter, my dear, dear youngest son!” and he caught her in his arms. “My baby boy,” she laughed the next moment; “my baby boy grown taller than his mother. ”

“ It is a hard thought, though I am proud of my husband’s readiness to serve his country.”
“A country well worth serving, I think,” smiled Max; “the grandest one in the world.”
Doctor and nurse both came in at that moment.
“In which opinion I heartily agree with you,” said Harold, having overheard Max’s last sentence. “But remember, my good naval officer, that you must not talk in too exciting a way to my patient.”
“Oh, I am not at all excited, but if you abuse my husband I shall be,” said Evelyn, with mirthful look and tone. ”

“ But the sun was now nearing the horizon, and the Woodburn and Sunnyside folk were growing eager to see and rest in their own loved and comfortable homes. The carriages were brought up, the adieus said, and they went on their way rejoicing. Each family went to its own dwelling at first, but they would not be long apart; that evening would see them all gathered, first at one residence, then at the other, and there would never be a day that would not be spent more or less in each other’s society. This would be true of all excepting Max, who must soon return to his ship. ”

“ Raymond; but by no means young enough to be an obedient son to you,” Harold returned in playful tone, “or, indeed, any son at all. It will be well enough to bear that relationship to your husband, but fairly ludicrous to pretend to bear it to so young and fair a lady as yourself.”
“I should think the fairness would make it a trifle less objectionable, if anything could,” returned Violet with mischievous look and smile.
“Really, those mutual relationships make small difference, except as they may affect your docility when you are the patient and I the physician,” returned Harold gravely. ”

“ Violet’s turn came next, as she sat beside her husband, and she read: “I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, [245] my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
Her mother sat next, and she read: “The Lord is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.... This day is holy unto the Lord: neither be ye sorry: for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ”

“ He went directly to the instrument, saying to himself a trifle regretfully:
“Somebody wanting the doctor, I suppose. Hello!” he called, and was instantly answered in Captain Raymond’s unmistakable voice:
“I am glad it is you, Harold, for we want you badly, as soon as you can come to us. Ned is, I fear, very ill; has a high fever and is quite delirious.”
“I will come at once,” returned Harold. “Poor, dear little chap! His uncle loves him too well to let him suffer a moment’s illness that he may possibly be able to relieve.” ”

“ Now what is the latest news about uncles, aunts, cousins and friends in this neighborhood?”
“I really think but little has taken place which would be new to you, Walter,” replied his mother.
“I doubt,” laughed Edward, “if he has heard of the good fortune of Eva and Max.”
“Money or estate?” queried Walter.
“Something better than either,” remarked his mother, with a pleased smile. ”

“ A slight pause, then Captain Raymond spoke.
“I have had many, many blessings and some trials also. My dear father died when I was a young lad, my best of mothers when I had scarcely more than reached man’s estate; brother and sisters had gone from earth also, and I was left alone, with small means, but good health. I was still quite a young man when I met a sweet young girl who had been, like myself, bereft of all her nearest relatives. ”

“ Eva says she feels quite well enough to be up and about if that tyrannical doctor didn’t forbid it. And our baby is good as gold—and a great deal more valuable,” he added, with a happy laugh.
“She’s prettier than gold this one of her aunts thinks,” laughed Lucilla. “And what a treasure she will be in Sunnyside, our sweet, pretty home.”
“Yes, I hope so. It is very good of you to give her such a royal welcome.”
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“Ah, if only her father could be with us all the time!” sighed Lucilla.
“Perhaps in that case his companionship might, at times, grow wearisome,” laughed Max. ”

“ Isn’t it time for letters?”
“Hardly, Eva, my dear, though possibly we may hear to-morrow or next day,” replied the captain, putting an arm about her and drawing her close to his side.
“I wish Max could get a furlough and join us here,” said Lucilla. “I feel almost mean, Eva, to be enjoying the society of my husband while yours is so far away.”
“Oh, Lu, dear, don’t feel so,” returned Evelyn; “your happiness certainly does not [24] make mine any less; no, it makes it more; because, loving you, I rejoice in your happiness.” ”

“ The Sunnyside folks were not more glad to see their home than were the Woodburn people to reach theirs. The captain’s carriage contained, not his own family only, but his future son-in-law also. Harold was bidding an affectionate good-bye to Grace on the veranda at Ion when her father said laughingly:
“Don’t indulge in adieus just here and now, Harold, but come with us to Woodburn. Who can tell but there may be a patient there longing for a sight of Dr. Harold Travilla’s face?” ”

“ It was at a quarter past twelve that Lieutenant Biddle hauled down the Frolic’s flag—just forty-three minutes after the fight began. Her total loss of men was over ninety, about thirty of whom were killed outright or died of wounds.”
“Were there as many killed and wounded on our vessel, the Wasp?” asked Edward Leland.
“No,” replied the captain; “five of her men were killed, two in her mizzen-top and one in her main-top-mast rigging, and five were wounded, chiefly aloft. She, the Frolic, had been desperately defended; no men could have fought more bravely than Captain Whinyates and his crew. ”

“ The Lord has been exceedingly good to me through all the years of my life. I have had very many troubles, trials and difficulties, but His grace and the many great and precious promises of His Word have helped me through them all. I have seen the grave close over wife, children, parents and friends, but have been sustained under the sore trial by the glad hope of meeting them all in that better land where there is no more death, no sin, no parting, but all is righteousness and peace and joy forevermore. ”

“ Harold, can I go in now, speak to Eva and look at her treasure?”
“Not yet,” he said; “she needs rest and I think is sleeping. We will let you in some hours later.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to go to her until her physician considers it quite safe to do so,” returned Lucilla.
“Nor do I,” said the captain, “though I shall be pleased to get sight of my first grandchild.”
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“Oh, yes, she has made you a grandfather, papa,” laughed Lucilla. “How odd that seems!”
“And you, Grace and Elsie, aunts; Ned—my little Ned—an uncle.” ”

“ Where did it come from?”
“It is father’s gift,” answered Max; “the dear, kind father who always thinks of everything he can possibly do to add to the happiness of his children.”
“He does, indeed!” exclaimed Evelyn. “Nobody could have a better, kinder father.”
“We are all going over to Woodburn this evening,” said Max, “and we will take baby in her carriage.”
“She, as queen of the party, will ride, and the rest of us will walk,” laughed Lucilla. “Oh, you little darling, auntie hopes [202] you will always be able to ride when you want to.”
“Doubtless she will if it is best for her,” said Max. ”

“ Violet and Lucilla came in together at that moment.
“I must have a look at my little niece,” said the latter.
“And I at my granddaughter,” added Violet.
“Oh, mamma, don’t say that,” exclaimed [58] Elsie. “You are too young for it; isn’t she, grandma?”
“She does look rather young to lay claim to that appellation,” Grandma Elsie returned, with an admiring smile up into her daughter’s beautiful and youthful face.
“Ah, but her own grandsire being my husband gives me something of a right in that direction,” laughed Violet. ”

“ Lilburn, in tones of delight.
“Yes, one of the finest in the world,” responded the captain. “What a perfect crescent is that ocean beach, and how singular is the formation of North and South Coronado Beach! Notice the entrance to this harbor here along Point Loma, where we are standing, and on the spacious inner bay, the towns of San Diego, and National City; notice the lowlands and heights outside sprinkled with houses, gardens, vineyards and orchards.”
“It is a beautiful scene,” said Mrs. Rose Dinsmore; “it alone is enough to repay us for our long journey.” ”