Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-03

rocking herself to and fro, weeping wildly, an,
apostrophizng by turns her dead husband an,
the child she held on her lap, and who gazed u
at her in terrified silence, with his large, blue
wondering eyes.
"Oh she sobbed, if had but known i
was the last time was to sse him. Father AL
mighty" ana she raised her face in agonize,
! pleading to heaven, give him back to me but
for an hour--only for IN honr Or, if tina
cannot be, let me see his dear face, even thougl
in death!
Here gust of weeping, that shook her fgur,
as hurricane shakes tree, convulsed her fo
II while. When it had passed, she addressed
her child, but in the same frantic strain. "Pool
orphaned one. /" she said, gazing sadly at him
you will never know what father is. Bu
you will recall to me- she added, straining hin
SO her breast, g that father; for you have hi'
eyes, bless God Tor that! Oh darling, dar
ling, you are the only comfort left me. If il
was not for you, should pray to die. But
must live to take care of you, dear little orphan. .
And she almost smothered it with kisses.
Lost in this, her first grief, she had not OBJ
served that somebody from the village was al
last approaching As She spoke these last
words, the visitor had even gained the cottage
door, and his broad shadow fell directly across
her, though without her heing aware of his
presence. But the child, looking over his
mother shoulder, behind the intruder and his
face instantly lost its half wondering, half ter
rifed expression while he stretched his little
arms out, and springing up,began to crow glee-
fully. Simultaneously the dog which had been
slumbering on the hearth, started up as if some
mysterious influence had reused him, and, with
joyful bark, sprang with one bound upon the
intruder.
"Down, Carlo, down. cried cheerful, man.
ly voice. "Ah, Johnney, you know father, do
you! Why, Hetty, dearcst,' added the speak
er, as the startled woman sprang up with a
shrek, drawing her into his arms "you didn't
think was lost, did you! There, don't look
at me as though was IL ghost-you frighten
mel came near being one, know Why, |
declare, if she hasn't gone off into dead faint
1t WAS indeed as he had said. After one long,
almost incredulous gaze into her husband S face,
her nerves, so long strained to her utmost ten
sion, gave way, and she would have fallen to
tho floor if his stout arm had not fortunately
supported her.
An hour later, while the wife hustled about
to prepare supper, the husband holding the
child in his arms, told bow he had been rescued.
1t was broken story it is true, for sometimes
the growing of the child, who seemed beside
himself with delight, interrupted the narrator,
and sometimes the fearful questions Of the wife
as she paused in her labors.
"You sec," ho said, when tho craft was
capsized, thoughtjall was over ; and, as went
down, my last thought, Hctty, was on you and
the boy" Here his voice grew husky. But
clearing it with brave effort, he went on. I"
came up, at last, however, and the first thing
saw was an oar which cutched. And now be-
gan to have some hope of life. had been max
ing for the hay, carrying every thing l dared
when went over; and | knew, though the
night was the darkest ever saw, that couldn t
be far at sea- At last, after fighting for an
hour with the waves, | saw light looming up
ahead | hallooed again, and then again.
The third time was answered. The light now
came down towards me, and | saw fishing
slnackS Immediately, shoot out of the gloom. ;"
After ii moment, he resumed. Well
there, don't cry, Hetty-I was soon on board
The smack made port, at her harbor, some do
zen miles down the coast. this morning and
came home as fast as possible, fearing you might
be alarmed. But little thought that the tide
had swept my hat, and Il part of my poor old
craft, to my own door. 1t was no wonders you
believed me lost"
What constrast was that happy night at
the cottage, to the one which had proceeded it
70 this day, though many Years have passed, its
anniversary is celebrated religio.sly. And the
tears of his wife still fall, as the husband, at
evening worship, returns thanks for the mercy
which once saved him from (" the deep waters" "
or begs that lie, who holds the waters in the
hollow OF Ills hand, will saccor those :" who
20 down to the sea in ships"