She Rescued Her Chickens

Several of the violent storms tnat have whirled over the Matinicus rock have tried the fortitude of the llttle band of faithíul watchers upon it, says the Century Magazine. One of these I watchers, Abby Burgess, has become famous ia our lighthouse annals, not only for long service, but also for bravery displayed on various occasions. Her father was keeper of the rock from 1853 to 1861. In January, 185G, when she was 17 years of age, he left her in charge of the lights while he crossed to Matinicus Island. His wife was an invalid, his son was away en a cruise and his other four children were little girls. The following day it began to "breeze up," the wind increased to a gale and soon developed into a storm almost as furious as that which carried away the tower on Minots ledge In 1851. Before long the" seas weresweeping over the rock. Down among the bowlders was a ctíicken coop which Abby feared might be carried away. On a lonely ocean outpost like Matinic'js rock a chicken is regarded wlth affectionate interest, and Abby sollcitous for the'safety of the inmates of the little coop, waited her chance, and when the seas feil off a little rushed knee deep through the swirling water and rescued all but one of the chickens. She had hardly closed the dooi of the dweiling betuna ner wnen a sea, breaking over rock, brought down the old cobblestone house wlth a crash. While the storm was at lts height the waves threatened the granite dwelllng, so that the family had to take refuge in the towers for safety, and there they remalned with no sound to greet them without but the roaring of the wind around the lanterns, and no slght but the sea sheeting over the rock. Yet through it all the lamps were trlmmed and lighted. Even after tho storm abated the reach between the rock and Matinicus Island was so rough that Capt Burgess could not return until four weeks later.