The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-07-03

tranquility of the day continued until
noon. Then for the first time the indi-
cation of an approaching tempest was
manifest. Over the summit OF noun
tain, at the distance of about mile,
the folds of large cloud became sud.
denly visible, and at the same instant
a hollow roar came down on the winds
as if it had been the sound of waves in
a rocky cavern. The clouds rolled on
like a banner unfolded upon the air,
but still the atmosphere was as calm
and the leaves as motionless as before,
and there was not even qulVer upon
the sleeping waters 10 tell of the
coming hurricane. To escape the tenn
pest was impossible. As the only re-
sort we fed to mighty oak that stood
at the foot of tall and rugged preci-
pice. Here we remained and gazed
almost breathlessly upon the clouds
marshaling themselves like armies of
bloody giants in the sky. The thunder
was not frequent, but every burst was
SO fearful that the young creature who
stood beside me shut her eyes convul-
sively, clung with desperate strength
to my arm, and shrieked as if her heart
would break. In few minutes 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 amethystine
peak, and the next moment the clouds
opened, the rocks tottered to their foun-
dations, a roar like the groan of the
universe filled the air, and felt myself
blinded and thrown, | knew not whittier.
How long | remained insensible | can
not tell, but when consciousness re-
turned the violence of the tempest was
abating, the roar of the winds was
dying in the tree tops, and the deep
tones of the thunder-cloud came in
fainter murmurs from the eastern hills.
| rose and looked tremblingly and
almost deiiriously around. She was
there-the dear idol of my infant love
stretched out upon the green earth
After a moment of irresolution, | went
up and looked at her. The handker-
chief upon her neck was slightly rent,
and a single dark spot upon her bosom
told where the pathway of her death
had BEEN
At first | clasped her TO my breast
with cry of agony, and then laid her
down and gazed upon her face almost
with feelings of calmness. Her bright
ringlets clustered sweetly
around her brow the look of terror had
we're pfcsr16Pr pffsr16Pr III 1beFr Frliips and pfaut SMILES
her cheek was lovely as in life, and |
pressed it to my own, the fountain OF
tears were opened, and wept as if my
heart was water. I have but dim
of what followed. know
that remained weeping and motion
less till the coming twilight, and was
taken tenderly by the hand and led
away where | saw the countenances of
parents and sisters.
Many years have gone by on the
wings of light and shadow, but the
scenes have portrayed come over me
at times with terrible distinctness. The
oak yet stands at the base of the preci-
pice, but its limbs are black and dead,
and the hollow trunk, looking upward to
The sky, as if calling to the clouds for
drink, is an emblem of rapid and noise
less decay. One year ago | visited
the spot, and the thoughts of by-gone
years came mournfully back TO me.
thought of the little innocent being who
fell by my side like some beautiful tree
of spring, rent up by the whirlwind in
he midst of its blossoming. But | re-
membered-and oh f! there was Joy in
he memory-that she had gone where
10 lightnings slumber in the folds of
he rainbow cloud, and where the sun
light waters are broken only by the
storm breath of Omnipotence.
My readers will understand why /
shrink in terror from thunder. Even
he consciousness of security is no re-
ief to me-my fears have assumed the
nature of an instinct, and seem indeed
| part of nv existence.