The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-05-07

came with a heavy plash to the EARTH
The light had been put to the window o.
the cottage, and the solemn God have
the seamen in his Keeping" said by Mrs.
Richards, yet neither husband nor wife
had said a word 10 each other about the
peril Of their absent sons. They seemed
to hold back with fear from speaking al
them as in danger, and wondered only al
their long stay, and hoped they would
soon come. As the hour grew late, and
the heavy gusts of wind swept by, and
Mr.. Richards had been once or twice 10
the shore without any signs Of their APP
proach, anxiety became too great for ST.
lence, and impassioned prayers were put
pu by the mother for her sons'safely;while
the father in a voice slightly trembling
tried to comfort her by saying
Fear not, wife-.he boys are strong,
and a better sea boat never swan :; they
are we'll acquainted with the coast. Be-
sides, God will have them 10 his keeping,
and will not leave US chiidless in our old
age. Cheer up, and put your trust in
Him, a, whose bidding peace be still ?
The waves cannon narm.
Ten o'clock came and went by. The
bows came not. The storm was at its
height. After walking the room awhile,
Mr.. Richards asked his wife to prepare a
lanthern.
81 am going" said he, in answer TO
his wile's questions, "to kindle a fire on
Broadstone. if possible. Keep a good
heart-lrust 10 God and all will be we'll"
So saying be left the house. 1t was but
a short time before ne had a bright fire
kindled on Broadstone, which threw its
light far on to the troubled waters
"Pray God the youngsters may see
1t !" the old man uttered 10 himself as he
heaped on The brush. He will not leave
me desolate in my old age! Take me,
Father Almighty dropping on his knees
and raising his arms on high in a prayer
full attitude" take me, but spare my
children (! take me who am nothing worth
"a worn out hulk, but spare the boys 20
comfort and support their aged mother! ~
A hand this moment was laid on his
shoulder and a trembling voice, said has
lily
"James, James-His will, not ours be
done !"
"Wife, how came you here You
should not be out in this tempest"
clark I! there it is aaain-l was sure
| heard it
Heard what |" said her husband in
astonishment.
Hark-listen !" said the woman
pointing her arm seaward.
Here was a fine scene for a painter
By the ftful glare of the fire now blazing
high in the air and now quivering low 10
the earth, as the wind lulled and ~increas.
ed, the old man might be seen with his
head bent, and his body placed in that at
titude which denotes the senses Of the man
entirely fixed on one object. His wife
stood beside him, with one arm resting
on his shoulder and the other stretched
toward the turbulent sea, dashing and
foaming around, and her whole appear
ance exhibiting the same intense attention.
Her head being bare, her long grey hair
hung loose about her neck and gave her
an air of peculiar wildncss.
Ii was but a moment when a bright
fash was seen & a faint report was borne
on The breeze from seward.
"They are coming-the boys are COM
ing! !" burst simultaneously from the aged
pair.
They see the light" said the wife
hurriedIy-" let US heap on more wood,
Jamcs-praise God |"
We have reason to praise Him, wife,
and may He who has protected them thus
far restore them TO us in safety"
Ele Willie will" said the agitated
wife as she heaped large quantities of
brush on the fire. AS the flames shot up
in the air, and were curled about by the
wind, the old man and his wife seated
themselves 10 await the approaching ves-
sci, that contained all that was dear to
them. Their eyes were strained toward
the cove in the hope Of seeing her in that
direction ; but happening 10 turn their
eyes, they saw the little schooner dashing
over the waves right towards the rocky
part Of the Cape. They both uttered a
cry of horror. Death-inevitable death
seemed The doom of those on board. On
ward she came, now rising high on a
towering wave, 1uttering on its top like a
frightened bird and now plunging down
in the gulf of foaming waters, as il to
destruction-then slowly rising again,
sill towards the rocks, The aged pair
stood for a moment like statues gazing on
the scene before them, until the little bark
shot into the shade made by The cliff and
was lost to sight. Lustead Of running fran
ticly about, accomplishing nothing, as is
too often the case in scenes of alarm and
danger, the old sailor" was put on.--
Bidding his wife advance 10 the edge OF
the cliff with the lanthern, Mr.. Richards,
with the speed Of one some two scores
younger, went 10 the house, procured a
coil Of rope and fishing line, and was back
| - L l.