The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-10
SELF.DEvOTION.
A Thrilling INCIDENT

THRILLING INCIDENT.
In the latter part of the month OF Feb
ruary, many years since, schooner from
the State of Maine, which had been to New
York with a cargo, and was now on her
return home, anchored under Sandy Point.
The wind increasing from the northwest
to q gale, she parted her cables; sail was
got upon her as soon as possible, but not
having in much ballast, she did not fetch
in 10 the westward Of Great Point Light,
on the Northern part Of Nantucket, and
z had thtrefore to 60 outside or to the east
ward 8f The island. With comparative
" light Vessel, and with no cables or an.
chors, and with a prospect of snow
storm before him, the captain of the
schooner did not think it prudent or prop.
er to be thus forced TO 60 10 sea with the
wind blowing almost hurricane.
He made up his mind, therefore. at once
to run his vessel on to Nantucket. which,
with the wind at northwest, would make
an entire Tea, and enable him to land with.
out much danger. All this was effected;
the vessel was beached, and the crew. con.
sisting Of the captain, mate, and two
young men, one about the age OF nine
teen, and the other about seventeen, both
sons of the captain, were landedi in safety.
except, perhaps, the incidental exposure
and fatigue, about five O'Clock in the al
ternoon. The place of their landing was
about three miles from treat Point Light,
to which they proposed TO proceed, it be-
ing, as they supposed, the nearest place
where they could find rest and shelter for
the night.
The mate took up his line Of march
first, the captain and his two sons having
remained to secure some few thiGgs about
the boat, and then to follow immediately
after him. The whole distance 10 be trav-
elIed was over sandy beach, against a
furious northwester blowing direct in their
faces and hurling the sand and gravel,
with occasional flights OF snow. making it
very difficult to even keep foothold
against the combined elements.
The mate succeeded after much Difficult
'ty in reaching the keeper of the lights
hospitable mansion in safety. A far dit.
ferent fate was to be the lot Of some OF his
companions. j.,
Tie captain was man who was Injured
from his boyhood to hardship and toll; his
was the will and the power which the ele-
ments could not conquer. Taking the
lead oil his sons for the purpose OF break
ing off as much as possible the force OF the
wind, he kept them Immediately behind
him, and thus their journey commenced.
One.haf the distance, perhaps, was over
come, after incredible anxiety and perse'
verance on the part Of their father, when
the Younger son begged his father and
brother 10 90 on and leave him, as his
strength had SO entirely failed that he
could walk no longer.
No persuasion could revive his exhaust.
ed powers, and it became necessary to
act as the exigency Of the case required
The father taking off his own outside coat
that his limbs might be more free to act
wrapped it around the less hardy frame o
his son. ard taking him in his arms, the
tolsome Journey was again resumed. Fol
halt mile did the fathers power OF en-
durance bear up against the violence o
the storm with his additional burden; bu
his cup was not yet full; the other son now
showed the symptoms that his exhausted
nature was about to give way. and few
minutes after. he sank to the ground, ap
parently unable to rise. .,.....
LAYING down the one he had borne 81
long. the father took up the elder. ant
carving him some distance, he LETT hin
and then returned, and took the younge
and brought him to the same point; ant
thus the old man struggled, alternatel.
carrying one and then returning and bring
ing the other to the same place; whisper
ing hope into their ears, which, alas. wer
fast becoming insensiOle to their parent
love. II was sight, it would seem, SOM
pitying angel might have relieved.
The younger son was growing yer.
weak and insensible. and when the fathe
laid him down for the last time, he say
that the elements had done their work, AM
that the poor boy was at rest.
Going back and taking the elder in hi
arms, he redoubled his exertions to saw
him; on he struggled, and between tn
flashes of the storm the light could be see
in the distance; but fortude, energy an
perseverance,. we're Of no avail; a singl
moan told him he was childless. u
The old man arrived at the light. an
found that preparations had been made
come out in search of him; Years he ha
not many to shed. Such people have b,
few to their call; those few, however. max
q furow which nevereaves the face b'
with the close OF their early existence
,Boston Journal ~ iis va sogt sti iiFp
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