The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-12-27
THE FISHERMAN.
BY S. G.. HALL.

1t was as calm an evening as ever came
from heaven: the sky and the earth were as
tranquil as if no storm from the one had ever
disturbed the repose OF the other: and even
the ocran-the great highway of the world
lay as gentle as if its bosom had never be-
traycd-as if no traveller had ever sunk to
death in its embrace The sun had gone
down. and the pensive twilight would have
rcigned over nature, but for the moon, which
rose in her full -orbed beauty. the queen of
an ilimltable world, TO mile upon the good
ly things Of ours, and te give radiance and
glory to all she shone upon. 1t was an
hour and scene that led The soul to the con-
temptation of Him who ' ser ceases to watch
over the woyxs he has mac, and whose pro-
tectins care displays Itself alike upon the SOL
id land and the trackless wastes of the de-
cetfui sea-
On the western coast of the country of
Devon, which has beer termed, and, it NAV
be added. Justly, 1.-THE garden of England"
upon such an evening group was assembled
around one OF the fishermens cottages. The
hahlta;ion was built in the true style of the
oldcn time, when comfort was the principal
Object Of the protector. 1T either side of
the door We're scattered tLc lines, ard nets,
and baskets that OctoI.en the calling of the
owner, and the fisherman was taking his fare
wei! for the night of his happy, loving tani-
Iy, who were hidIng him God speed on
his voyage. \ fine Old man was leaning his
arms on the railing. and taking to an inter-
c>tn- @rl whose hand " upon the shoulder
o. a Younger sister. The stout fisherman.
dressed III hi> rough .jcrkin. and large boots.
that reached far above the knees, was in the
act OF kissing hide chcrub, who seemed
halt terrified at beng elevated so hiyh as his
fathers lips: while the wife and mother, witt,
her infant nursing on her lap, was looking
anXIou>y upon her husband a. she breathe!
the parting blessing and the PRAYER for his
safe return. y little boy. the miniature of
lis i.ticr III cOuntenance and in dress. bear
ing huge boat-cloak across his shoulders.
and The lantern that was 10 give hight when
the moon departed. comp -trd the group, if
We except noble Newfoundland dog. some
steps III advance of the party. watching for
The Loi to command his march TO a kind of
Iicr where the fisherman and his boy were 10
cutIdIA.
"Good luck. COOL luck" exclaimed the
old man = good luck and safe home arain.
John, We want naugit more tut Gods bless.
NJ. ai.'i that ,c ma, nave ,o1 asking: Uuy We
may As well take E!ine too-God bless We,
and good h,e t, ye.'
Tie blessing was hearty echoed " his
kind partner and his cEllt.r"n. and VIII: >tlinr.
as Gc went. with boat hook on his shoulder.
his do= Neptune before, and his boy follow
lng, he trud.ed along to the beach. With
the cAlilc>t GAVIN OF morning the fisherman 5
family were a>tlr; ihe elder girl was bus.ly
arranging their lItti" laror. while the young
rr was PREPARING their break fast table, and
the mother spreading before the fire the
clothes Of her husband and her tov. An
hour passed and she grew somewhat uneasy
that he ha'! remained abroad beyond the us
ual period OF his return Another hour had
elapsed. when She sad to ner father, " Faith
er. go out to the hIllock. and try if YOU can
see his sail upon the water he seldom >tavs
out SO long when the sea is calm and the
weather fair my little boy. TOO. was not quite
we'll last night, and this alone should have
FASTENED him home
The OLD man went forth, and one bv one
his grand children followed him, until the
m"tl:er was lett alone rocking the cradle OF
her unt onscious tabe After the lapse of
another hour, her daughter entered, with
news that neShbor had spoken to her faith
er in the night, and that he would certainl,
be soon home.
God grant it ~ said she, and she spoke
in tone Of deep anxiety. lie never wa.
away so long but once, and that was when he
saved the crew of the ship Mary, and ther
the whlrl of the sinking vessel had well ncl
made his grave"
Again she stirred the fire, again arranged
the clothes before it, and poured some ho
water into the tea-cups Still the brpakfas
remained untouched.
The sun was now soaring to his meridian
height when once more the family assembled
IN their humble dwelling; the prop of the
Whole was yet wanting. They sat down to ;
cherries meal, the seats at either side of III,
wife remaining vacant. The old man was IN,
only individual who appeared to anticipat,
no evil; but he hastily finished his breakta,
and went forth.
The noon was rapidly passing, and the SUI
had already given token Of the glory of hi
departure, when the fsherman's wife. havin,
lulled her infant to sleep, went herself to tn,
hill that commaded an extensive view of III,
widespread ocean. All the little household
soon assembled on the spot, but no boat wa
seen upon the understanding that coulc
give hope except the aspect OF the waves
which looked too placid to be dangerous.
Their deep dread was no longer concealed
and when the old man paced to and fro, look
Iny ea1neSil1 af h1iet intervals over Aho lo.o