The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1851-10-09
COME THIS WAY FATHER"

OF our State, some two years since. it'll
party OF friends, i, was proposed one
bright afternoon that We should make
up party to &, down the harhor on a
fishing excursion. We accordingly
started, and after sailing about three
miles, young lady Of the company de-
clined going farther, and requested US
TO land her on one Of the small islands
in the harbor, where she proposed to
remain until our return. My little boy,
then about four years old, preferred re.
naming with her. Accordingly we left
them, and preceded some six miles fur
thcr. We remained out much longer
than we intended, aud as night ap.
preached thick fog set in from a,cn-
lirely enshrouding US. Without COM
pass, and not knowing which way TO
steer we groped our way along for some
hours, until finally We distinguished the
breaking Of tho surf on one Of the Is.
lands. Sut were at loss 10 know which
one Of them. stood up in the stern
Of the boat, where had been steering.
and shouted with all my strength. !
listened moment, and heard through
the thick fog aud above the breaking Of
the surf. the sweet voice of my boy
calling, Come this way, iather-stecr
straight for me-l'm here waiting for
you" We steered for that sound. and
soon my little boy lcaped into my arms
with JOY, saying. 81 knew you would
hear me, father !" and nestled to sleep
on my bosom. The child and the maid
en- are both sleeping now. They died
in two weeks after tie period I refer
to, with hardly an interval Of time be-
tween their deaths. Now tossed on the
rough sea Of life, without compass or
guide. cnvelopcd in the fog and sur
rounded by rocks, seem TO hear the
sound Of .ha, cherub voice calling from
the bright shore, Come this way ia
ther steer straight for mew When
oppressed with sadness, take my way
to our quiet cemetery and as ! stand
by one little mound, the same musical
voice echoes from thence-"Come this
way, father I'm waiting for thee!'
| remember a voice
Which once guided my way
W hen lost on the sta,
enshroud.d lay;
| Twas tho voice of a child,
As he stood on the shore
!, sounded out clear
O eT the dark biiiows roar
"Come THIS way, my father
Here safe on the shore
am waiting for thee -
remember that voice
Midst rocks and through bse akers
. And hlgn dashng spray,
How sweet 10 my heart
Dad 1t sound from the shore,
As II echoed out clear
Ger the dark billow $ roar--
"Come this way, INV father -
Steer straight for me;
Here safe on the shore
am waiting for thee
remember my JOY
When held to my breast
, The form Of that DEAR one.
And s,othed II TO rest
For the tones a. my child
81 called you. dear father,
:. And knew YOU would hear
. The VOICE OF your darling
Far DER the dark sea,
While safe on the shore
was waiting for thee.
Ths, voice now is hushed
Which the N guided my way,
1hc form ihrn press d
4 l. nuw m,nslng with clay,
But the tones Of my child
Still sound IN my ear
q al sm calling you iatLe'.
o o, can you not hear
=. The voice Of your darling
Asyou toss on life . sea-
For on bright shore
q m waiting tor thee,
u rem-ur,er that voice
o la maay hone hour
e 1t speaks 10 my heart
+, Witb fresh beauty aud power,
And s,ill echoes far out
OyeI liss troubled wave,
II And sounds from lov lips
d Thai lie IN Lhe grave
Il Come th,s way, father,
b q, steer straight for me,
Here safe IA Heaven
!, lam ~Aung ior thee.
n