Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-05-16

had group of fine Merinoes, from Yer
mont, which he was taking West. But /
could not dismiss the picture Of the chill
dren over the grating; the night was
dark as pitch, end the lurid glare from
the furnaces of those bare headed. bare
legged urchins. made them to look like
progeny of the internal gods. I stopped
again close beside them. and they looked
into my face. "Poor wanderers" said
/ to myself. "You have had a long
journey from Fsther-land, and this is the
last night Of your travel. God grant you
q happy tomorrow"
Near this group, in a nook formed by
the state-room and Stewards Office, sat
upon heavy chest, young man and
woman. evidently much pleased with
each others conversation. I did not like
to seem rude, but stole dozen glances at
them. Their bronzed faces had not so
much of the stolid look as those of their
companions.
Sometimesother of the company would
Join them for a few moments, but those
two seemed mutually select, and any ac-
cession was only temporary. 1 went to
nv cabin and lay down, but somehow 1
could not sleep. Not that 1 cared for
storm, though the wind yelled among
braces and eordage. knew the Mis-
sissippi and Captain Hazard were both
all oak, and both to be trusted. 1t could
not be on account of the fifty emigrsnt
Germans in the steerage. whom should
never see again but l could not sleep,
and after tossing for an hour, detected
myself making for the steerage, with g
kind of feverish impression Of those poor
tired faces.
The wind still freshening and meeting
US full on the starboard quarter, every
"tenth wave" sent a column of water as
high as the pilot house, and the whole
forward deck was constantly drenched,
and the man with the fancy sheep was
becoming anxious.
But must confess my errand was to
look after the smigraat babies There
they were, bless their fat legs all fast
asleep.
Then it occurred to me had at no
time seen any one whom took to be
their mother.
Here was a stout, middle aged man
with one Of the little ones in his arms,
both asleep; and here a half-grown girl
With another. the smallest, asleep upon
her bosom there two pairs formed the
outside, and between them lay the rest Of
the group on some old bedding, and all
sleeping as quietly as though they were
on dry land upon beds of down, instead
of that boats deck in such gale.
"Poor tired Ones" I unused again
"You have no doubt weathered far
heavier storms while on your voyage to
the New World, and have learned to
rest, though not on roses. L looked for
my select group-what lovely sight |!
They were sitting with their backs to
the wall. the girl had leaned her head
upon her companions bosom, and both
were sleeping as quietly and innocently
as though Madame Propriety had never
made rules to govern such cases.
The Steamers bow played boo-peep
with the white swells at frantic
rate. Now pointing up, like the nursery
picture of the COW that jumped over the
moon, and now pointing his nose full at
a wave like portentious bull going to
battle. But the wind howled still louder
and the waves dashed still higher. All
the matches were closed, but the water
invaded the deck and came pouring along
by the sleepers. This ofcourse broke up
my nest of sleeping babies, and as the
old man rubbed his sleepy eyes, and
looked up at me l fancied his face famil-
lar, and as he called out L" Wilhelm !"
the whole riddle was solved, and those
were Pilgrims of the Rhine"
Wilhelm aroused his sleepy lady love.
and came forward to assist in getting
the little ones to place Of safety, close.
ly followed by his companion.
Madeline, as live p said l.
"Ahs !" said the old man, "Sind Sic
Herr HarTis?"
But we had short time for introduc.
tons, and hsstened to get the drenched
babies upon some piles of baggage. out
of the reach of the spray.
"Where is Frau Katrine ?" asked.
The old man shook his head sorrowfully.
and kissing the child he held to his bos-
ON, while he let fall tear upon its face.
only said,
"She is dead--we have left her in the
seal"
And that was the very baby that Net
tie held in the cabin. two years before,
away upon the Rhine; and now the
daughter Mathilde, was all the mother
her poor little sisters had, and she it
was 1 saw sleeping with the babe. not
year old. upon her bosom, sn hour be.
fore.
The good Frau Kstrine had set out
with the rest. feeble in body, but full Of
A.,e IT, 30 a. ~ -