The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-06-17
From the Episcopal Register.
THE STORM,
AN AFFECTING STORY.

peauuluI bay that formed the harbof of the
seaport ia which she resided-Her eve
had never rested on a scene more lovely.
The pure blue sky without cloud. and the
calm clear water sleeping beneath it in its
ioyellness, like The baby boy that was pill
lowed on her own fair breast.
But it was not the beauty of the scene
that made itso attractive to her Hers was
not the delighted gaze of one whose feelings
are all absorbed in the loveliness of nature.
On the contrary, her anxious eager eye
told that she was not satisfied with the
scene before her, though so fair: but she
was looking for an object of greater inter-
est than any that appeared. But not
speck was TO be seen on the silvery expanse
before her, and she turned away with a
disappointed and heart-sickened feeling.
Emma had looked forth many times in
the day, for several weeks, on the same
scene, sometimes fair as now, and some
times dcformed by storms, for the ship
which contained her dearest treasure, Still
the husband and the father came not, and
her thoughts grew troubled and her heart
sad, and now the tears fell fast on the dear
face of her sleeping infant. But Emma
was christian, and the sweet promise,
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose
mind is stayed on Thee, came over her
spirit so soothingly, and with power SO
divine, that her heart at once rested on the
promise of her Almighty Father, and her
perturbed and anxious feelings were hush
ed to repose.
While she still sat at the window, her
little boy, of about 10 years, ran INTO
the room eXclaiming, 30, mother! dear
mother! father is coming!' what do you
mean, my child!' said Emma, turning very
pale. 'Why look, mother! don't you see
that pilot boat! Well, the men on board oil
her say that the ship Anne is in the otilng
and will be in the harbor before morning.
20, my dear boy said Emma, tears OF JOY
now filling her eyes, 'what gratitude do we
owe to our heavenly Parent! But are you
sure, are you quito sure it was the vessel
that contains your father!' 'Oyes, mother,
the men said they could not be mistaken
and see, one of them is coming this way,
now | do believe, to tell you about it him
self 1t was as William had conjectured;
the man soon arrived, with the blessed IN
telligence that the vessel would undoubtedly
be in the harbor before next morning.
''What do you think father will say to
You, little Charley said William to his
lovely little brother, as he opened his soft
blue eyes, and smiled upon him; 'l am sure
he will give You so many kisses as to make
you cry, for | don't think you like to be
kissed much Don't you believe said
he, turning to his mother, ''that father will
think him the finest little fellow he ever
saw! expect he will love him even bet
ter than do added he, pressing his lips
tenderly to his soft, fair checks.
The grateful mother smiled upon her
precious boys, while her heart was hited
in adoring thankfulness to Him who had
bestowed these gifts, and was about resto-
ring to them and to her the life OF all their
earthly joys.
Williams exuberance of Joy continued
to overflow at his lips, while the mother S,
.chastened, but far more deep, kept her 81
lent and thoughtful, though she listened
with complacency, and would now ana
then reply to the playful remarks OF her
child. They were sitting in this way
when a peal of thunder, loud and long, roll
ed over their heads, and in a moment, EN-
ma and her boy were at the window
Their eyes having been directed only to,
wards the water, they had not observed
the cloud,which had arisen in the east, ano
which they now perceived had nearly Gov
erred the heavens. 'God, in mercy, pre-,
serve the father!' exclaimed Emma 'ior
feora storm is close at hand!'
In one short hour how had the scene BE-
fore her changed. Dark and heavy clouds
were driven with frighdul rapidity across
the heavens, and the water was lashed tI {
foaming fury by the violence Of the wind
II seemed indeed impossible that Vesse
could live for moment on the heavlnt
Ebillows of the stormy sea.-W hat change
too, in the Joyous feelings of William I
Inle affectionate heart. The blg tears ciia
.sed each other down his sweet, pale cheeks
and all his childish prattle was torgoiteh'
1t was now nearly bed time, but poo
Emma thought not of retiring. Her ul
conscious baby, laid to rest in its little era era
die. was softly breathing and sweetIy sleeE
inc and William, wearied with watchln
and weeping, sank beside him on the floor
and for while forgot his sorrows IN I'll
.nrocound slumbers ofchiIdhood. But nc
~ the wife and mother came this soothin
balm. Her aching head pressed not tn