Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-06-06

came suddenly visible, and at the same in
staHt, hollow roar came down upon ths
winds as if it had been the sound of wave.
IN rocky cavern. The cloud rolled gu,
like banner unfolded upon the air, but
still the atmosphere was as calm, and the
leaves as motionless as before; and there
was not even culver among the sleeping
waters TO tell of the Coming hurricane.
10 escape the tempest was impossible
As the only resort we fled to an oak that
stood at the foot of tall and rugged preci-
pice. Here we stood and gazed almost
breathlessly upon the clouds marshalIing
themselves like bloody giants in the sky
The thunder was not frequent, but every
burst was so fearful, that the young crea-
,ure who stood by me shut her eyes convuI-
sively, and chung with desperate strength
to my arm, and shrieked as if her heart
would break.
A few minutes, and the storm was upon
US. During the height of its fury, the little
girl lifted her finger towards the precipice
that lowered over US. looked, and saw
an amethostine peak aud the next moment,
the clouds opened. the rocks tottered to
their foundations, roar like the groan of
of the universe filled the air, and felt my
self blinded and thrown knew not whth-
er. How long l remained insensibie,
cannot tell-but when consciousness re-
turned, the violence of the tempest was IL
batting, the roar of the winds was dying in
the tree tops, and the deep tones of thunder
clouds came in faintiig murmurs from the
eastern hills.
rose, and looked almost deirousy a.
round. She was there, the dear idol of my
infant love. stretched out upon the green
earth. After moment Of Irresolurinn, |
went up and looked upon her. The hand
kerchIef upon her neck was slightly rent,
and single dark spot upon he. bosom told
where the pathway of her death had been.
AT first clasped her to my breast with a
cry of agony, and then laid her down and
gaZed upon her face almost with feelings of
calmness. Her bright dishevelled hair clus-
tered sweely around her brow the red
rose tinge npon her cheeks was lovely as
IN life, and as pressed it to my own. the
fountains of tears were opened and wept
as if my heart were waters. have but
dun recollection of what followed Il only
know that | remained weeping and notion
less Till the coming twilight, and was Ia
ken ienderIy by the hand aud led away
where | saw the countenances of parents
aid sister,
Many years have gone by on the wings Of
light aud shadow; but the scenes have
portrayed, still come over me at times with
terrible distinciness. The oak yet stand,
al the base of the preciplce but lis limbs
are black and dead, and the hollow trunk
looking upwards to the sky as calling to the
clouds for drink is an emblem of rapid
aud noiseless decay. A year ago, visited
the spot, and the thought of by-gone years
came mournfuily back 10 me. thought of
the little innocent being who tell by my
side like some beautiful tree of Spring, rent
up by The whirlwind IN the midst OF bios
snuling. But remember-and o! there
Was Joy in the memory that she had gone
where To lighinlngs slumber in The folds OF
the rainbow cloud, aud where the sunlight
waters aye broken only By the storm breath
OF O.nnipotence.
NV readers Will understand why | shrink
in terror from thunder. Even the con-
sciousness of security is no relief Tor me
my fears have assumed the nature of an
instinct, and seem indeed part Of my ex-
lsteuce