The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-11-18
From the child's paper
GRACE DARLING.

:
The Fame lslands are rocky and des'
olate group off Northumberland, on the
English coast. A few siunted bushes
with tufts Of grass, force growth in the
sheltered nooks, while nothing lives there
but the sea~fowl in the clefis Of the rocks
whose hoarse screams chime with the
dashing Of waters and the roaring Of winds
Sometimes there are sounds louder thar
the wind and waves-,he minute gun o
distress from foundering vessel, ant
the shrek Of agony from the sbipwreckec
mariner; for these Islands Are dangerous
10 coasters, and many bark has gone tc
pieces upon their rock-bound shore.
/. was on one Of these isfands tha, .
steamer on her way from Hull to Dun
dee. the 5,h Of September, 1888, struck
ledge, and speedily broke up. She had
on board a valuable cargo, with forty pass
enges besides the crew. Il was four in
the morning, dark, wild and stormy; all
but nine persons found q watery grave
These clung 10 portions Of the wreck
exposed to the buffetings Of The tempest
in the hope that dayligh, might bring
succor il succor could be had. When
morning came, the unfortunate men were
deserted from the lighthouse built on
Longstone, and kept by a Nea.her-beaien
car by the name Of Darling.
So perlIous was their situation that il
seemed hopeless; no boat could stand the
breakers, and the siou, heart Of the hardy
keeper ,rembled q. the thought of brav>
ing the mad fury Of the SEQ, as it drove
against the rocks. The little solitary fam-
iy in the lighthouse watched with painful
anxiety the poor men struggling for life,
yet doomed 10 certain and speedy death,
ifno aid could reach them, and that aid,
they we'll knew, could be given only by
themselves. One Of the daughters was
deeply moved by the spectacle. "Let us
20 TO the rescue!." she cried. The old
man surveyed the stormy heavens above
and the angry sea below and shook his
head: Besides il would be madness for
him TO venture alone. II will 60 with
you father" said the heroic girl; and
u:ged on by her entreaiiea, the keeper
launched his boat. The girl jumped in
bside him, and each with an oar, they made
the perilous passage. What cool heads
and steady hands and brave hearis we're
needed to guide the frail boat over the
boiling eddies, drencheS with the bewil>
eriug spray but storm and wind and spray
were all breasted. --.
After almost incredible skill aud brave
~, the men were taken from the wreck
and landed safely at The lighthouse; and
as they looked upon the young girl, TO
whom under God they owed their deliv-
erance, their hearts filled with wonder
end gratitude. Her name wus GRACE
DARAlN0, and when the rescued men
reached once more the main land and told
she story Of her heroism,it filled all hearts
with admiration, and everywhere excited
the liveliest interest in her behalf. Many
tokens ofrespect did she receive from both
individuals and societies; handsome
subscription was raised for her in London,
and visitors hocked to her island home for
the pleasure Of seeing her. One Of the
sheusers OF London offered TO make her a
fortune, If ahe would consent to show
herself on the stage in her little boat
But Grace was as modest as she was brave.
She did no, seek notoriety, for true no.
bleness always shuns parnde. In doing
what size had done, she only followed the
impulses Of brave and generous heart,
which will dare and suffer all things TO
release the distress OF fellow-being.
The admiration which this act every
where called forth, shows what deeds are
truly great; and though she died only
four years Afterwards ofconsump'ion, the
name Of GRACE DARLING, the humble light
house girl, is likely ever to stand beside
those who have rendered themselves il
lustrious by generous devotion and no.
bic daring !or the good of Others.