`` I was only five when my mother died , '' she sobbed . `` Robert was both father and mother to me . Never had child or girl so wise and loving a guardian as he was to me . I have never forgotten the lessons he taught me . Whatever there is of good in my life or character I owe to him . I was often headstrong and willful , but he never lost patience with me . I owe everything to Robert . '' Suddenly the little teacher rose with wet eyes and crimson cheeks . `` I have something to say , too , '' she said resolutely . `` You have spoken for yourselves . I speak for the people of White Sands . There is a man in this settlement whom everybody loves . I shall tell you some of the things he has done . '' `` Last fall , in an October storm , the harbor lighthouse flew a flag of distress . Only one man was brave enough to face the danger of sailing to the lighthouse to find out what the trouble was . That was Robert Monroe . He found the keeper alone with a broken leg ; and he sailed back and made -- yes , MADE the unwilling and terrified doctor go with him to the lighthouse . I saw him when he told the doctor he must go ; and I tell you that no man living could have set his will against Robert Monroe 's at that moment . `` Four years ago old Sarah Cooper was to be taken to the poorhouse . She was broken-hearted .
One man took the poor , bed-ridden , fretful old creature into his home , paid XXXXX medical attendance , and waited on her himself , when his housekeeper could n't endure her tantrums and temper .
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