The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-09-22
From Chamber Journal.
THE FISHERS WIDOW.

From Chamber Journal.
THE FISHERS WIDOW.
In the early part of November, 1884,, during one
of those short but violent gales of such frequent
currence on the northeast coast of Scotland, an
event took place which is unhappily SO common on
our stormy shores as to create but passing
tion unless circumstances arise to bring it more i'm
mediately under our view. The facts were these:
Early In the morning, boat manned by five of
the 8 fisher folk of -, father and four sons,
went two or three miles out to sea- in pursuance of
their constant occupation after the close of the her.
ring season-fishing for haddock, whiting, etc,
There was a stiff breeze blowing from the north
west-but such as these hardy men have frequently
to encounter to be rendered often too careless of
its danger-and nothing appeared to threaten
Storm However, with the sun, as Is frequently the
case, rose the wind; and with the wind, in space
of time incredibly short to those who have not wit
nessedit, rose the wild waves, rolling in with a
deafening sound upon the ron-bound coast, which
speedily became encrced by belt of white surf,
reaching many yards out from the shore, and amid
which ii was impossible for boat to live. The
fishers perceived the change in the weather, and
differed In opinion to the course they should
adopt. Some were for remaining on the open sea,
where, unless the storm became very severe, they
were IN comparative safety; but the old father and
his youngest and favOrte urged their immediate
return, the season was too far advanced to per-
init of any certain reliance on the various prOgnos
seemed to announce that the gale would have but
short duration Their counsel carried the day, for
all loved and respected their father and the young
George, the only one of the brothers who had wife
and children, represented that 1t was due TO the
helpless ones dependent on him to run no avoida-
bic risk So the boats head was turned to land,
and the furious gale urged her EDWARDS with fear
full speed Veto this the hardy men were well ac-
custOmed and they guided her safely, so as to
avoid the breaking waters, till they reached the
entrance OF the bay In which the town of - is
situated, and which by this time presented an ap-
palling spectacle indeed to those who knew their
only chance of life lay through those furious and
foaming waters.
Still they held on their course, and the little YES
sci rode calamity; five minutes more of their swift
and perlous career, and the harbor would have been
gained. But it was not so to be- RAPIDLY they
neared dark and dangerous reef Of rocks in the
middle of the bay. Vaiuly were strength and skill
and energy exered to turn the little vessel from the
fearful barrier ahead the whole force of the North
en Ocean, in It's widest mood, was opposed to
their efforts; mighty wave carried them almost
on to the reef and as the bark keeled over on the
returning surge, another and another swept into
her; one smothered strickland she is gone!
Those on shore-oh, with what beating hearts =
had watched the gallant but unequal struggle; and
now a wild scream arose from many voices, and,
above all, was heard the despairing cry of the
Young wife-so soon to be a widow-as she sank
has righted. No--she rises, indeed-but keel up
permOst; and where are they, so lately straining
every manly sineW, and flushed with the struggle
for dear life Twice the waves carry under the
devoted bark but she rises again and oh ! this
time there are living forms clinging to her keel
and three strong men are seen supporting their
helpless and insensible old father. By this time
small boat, manned by two noblehearted fellows,
who have ventured in the face of almost certain
DEATH IN the hope of resCuing their comrades, has
neared them; the waves, too, seem pausing to con-
template their work of destruction. There is
momentary lull, during which the four men so won
derfully rescued are placed in the little boat by
their deliverers-the old man, to all appearance,
corpse But where is the fifth the youngest-bo
the pride of his fathers heart Alas in vain do
the gallant fellows linger among the foaming break
ers till every hope has fled and their own imminent
danger forces them from the spot He is gone; and
when the speedily-subsiding waters (for the storm
did not last above four hours permitted search to
be made tor the boat corpse was found, wrapped
in the sail as a winding-sheet, He had evidently
made gallant struggle for life; for a clasp-knife
was found cenched in his dying grasp, and the sail
was partly ripped open; but its deadly folds had
encircled him too firmly, and the choking waters
did the rest.
heard lamentabIe account of the despair of
the poor young widow, thus deprived of the COM
panon of her life, and the sole means of support
for herself and her three infants and was anxious
patched with offers OF service to the bereaved fami
ly, and the choking waters did the rest.
: Eh, mem, she said, Z" dinna gang, dnna gang
She kens maistly naebody, pur thing, and it s
awfu to see her greet; and she 3 whites sensible
iorbY, and Gamma thole onybody near her."
So | waited to hear that the first violence Of her
despair had worn itself out, for very much doubt
ed my own powers of consolation and who but
One, indeed, could console in such grief as hers
However, after time, / heard she had been partly
brought TO her senses by the illness of her baby,
who, deprived of its natural sustenance by the blow
that had shaken the very heart-strngs OF its poor
mother, had been at the point of death. However,
it was now better; and the young widow, recalled !
to the consciousness that there existed yet greater
depth of anguish than that in which her reason had
almost forsaken her, became calmer and more com.
posed at least in outward appearance; and hear
ing this set out day, about three weeks after
the fatal accident to visit her.
It was in the beginning of December; vet the
weather in this ftful climate takes no heed of the
ancient division of the seasons and the day was
bright and balmy as In early spring. 1t seems TO
as if nature had assigned to these northern re-
gions as many fine days, or nearly so, during the
year, as fall TO the portion Of happier climates but
they are in some mysterious manner SO strangely
jumbed, that many wintry day chills us in the
midst OF summer, while those belonging TO a more
genial season sometimes make their appearance I'M
expectedly among the blasts and frosts of autumn
or winter. One of these stray children of summer
was gliding and beautifying the wild country
through which had to pass, on my way to the lit