True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-08
The Light House.

Burning still, how beautiful it looks in
the distance; just the same as it did years
ago from my window at Brick Lodge,
with its revolving light gliding the dark
waves And yonder is the old Barracks
upon the opposite Island, with high pick
ct fence, enclosing its bow shaped parade
ground, the spread eagle holding in its beak,
heavy lantern over the arched gateway
leading to the porticoed entrance, the wide
pavement in front, where the spirited re-
veille is played upon fife and drum. The
sunset roll, was the most suggestive to me,
as it foated over land and sea, it told the
hour for retiring from the duties of the day
when the gorgeous clouds in the west,
which herald bright to morrow, mad mel
ted into the purple shades of evening, my
eyes wonld wander to the Light House,
for l loved to watch its increasing light,
through the deepening shadows of night,
shining 'like star on the breast of the
ocean,"
What made it stand so still upon the water,
resisting the stormy waves that were dash
ing the heavy ships about as if they were
but mere tOysin their angry grasp; did
God make it and light it too? These were
among my first vague impressions of the
Light House. 1t was an inexhaustible
subject, among my go-to-bed stories. On
the dark stormy night, when the ice cover
ed twigs of the elm, thrashed against my
windcw-panes, and the wind whistled
through the branches and round down the
chimney, it seldom failed to draw from my
old nurse some painful story of the past, as
she gazed out upon the ocean, exclaiming
"Lord help the poor sailors this night"
then followed graphic and true story, Of
outward or homeward bound vessels wreck.
ed upon these shoals, before this cheering
light was raised to warn them of their dan
ger.
Many fond father who had braved the
perils of the deep, for months, ay! for years.
here found watery grave. As he caugh
a glimpse ofhome when the quivering com
pass needle and chart, assured the weather
beaten helmsman that land was near, thai
land so long looked for, their home. They
needed not the threatning mountain waves
lashing their frail bark, for home was clost
at hand, they could almost feel the press
ure of loving arms around their neck, thC
warm kiss upon their cheek, as the signal
gun went booming across the land, telling
the weary watching eyes on shore of thei
approach but alas! no cheering beacon ligh
to guide or warn them in these dark night
upon our coasts, the strained vessel wrest
less with the breakers until dashed to piece,
upon these hidden rocks, few ardstrug
giles and all is over.
Ye who sleep upon warm beds, surroun
ded by all the blessings of homo, then mur
muir not that Providence has debarred yo,
from some fancy created want. Think fo
few minutes upon the lot of the storm-toss
ed sailor; 60 ask him in his reveries upoI
the midnight deck how sweet word
home; however humble, he will tell it
priceless value, to him powerful magnet
sending electric sparks through his benum
bed limbs till the current of life flows war;
through every vein. Home! quenchles
! beacon-light hung by Him who never slun
, bers nor sleeps, in the breast of every ocea
wanderer, thrilling his soul and ncrving hi
arm to duty; when the visions of home fl
before him, he is strong for battle "Lor
help the poor sailor, first fell upon my es
( from lips long since stilled by death,
that little chamber where I first knelt I
say the prayer, "Our Father" where I frs
felt the good night kiss, and took the las
, look out upon the light, the sweet sleey
no discordant sounds to break my slumber
if ever awakened by some startling dream
the soothing watchman's cry of "All
well" would assure me twas only dream
the beacon-light was burning still.
n Pleasant voices of the night
n Chasing all my fears away,
And this ever changing light
Shining till the beams of day
Unsealed mine eyes, and tingled the flowers
With its rosy fingered hours.
RUTH CLARENDON.
IS s@-1n Buenos Ayres the anti -Cathol
r. nortU ic now IN Youo, Ill., Dono;.L i =