Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-13
Nlisrellanp.
The Storm.

window which overlooked part of a beautiful
bay that formed the harbor of seaport in
which she resided. Her eye had never rested
on a scene more lovely. The pure blue sky
without cloud, and the calm clear water sleep
ing beneath it in its loveliness like the baby-boy
that was pillowed on her own fair breast.
But it was not the beauty of the scene that
made it so attractive to her. Hers was not the
delighted gaze of one whose feelings are oil
absorbed in the loveliness of nature. On the
contrary, her anxious eager eye told that she
was not satisfied with the scene before her,
though so fair; but that she was looking for
an object of greater interest than any that ap-
peared. But not speck was to be seen on the
silvery expanse before her and she turned away
with disappointment and heartsickening
feeling.
Emma had looked forth many times in the
day for several weeks on the same scene sometimes
fair as now, and sometimes deformed by storms,
for the ship with her dearest treasure. Still
her husband and father came not, and her
thoughts grew troubled and her heart sad, and
now the tears fell fast on the dear face Of her
sleeping infant. But Emma was Christian,
and the sweet promise, j." Thou will keep him in
perfect pease whose mind is laid on thee came
over her spirit so smoothly, and with power
so divine that her heart at once rested on the
promise of her Almighty Father, and her
perturbed and anxious feelings were huslied to
repose.
While she still sat at the window, her little
b oy of about ten years ran into the room ex-
claiming, " 0 mother dear mother father is
coming! "What do you mean, my child! "
said Emma, turning very pale. I" Why look,
mother don't you see that pilot boat' Well
the men on board Of her say that the ship Ann
is in the of6ng and will be in the harbor before
morning." 80 my dear boy" said Emma,
tears of joy now filling her eyes, what graft
tude do we owe to our heavenly Parent But
are you sure it was the vessel that contains your
father!" go yes, mother the men said they
could not be mistaken-and see, one of them is
coming this way now, do believe, to tell you
about it himself" 1t was as William had con.
jectured; the man soon arrived with the bless
ed intelligence that the vessel would undoubted.
ly be in the harbor before morning.
"What do you think farther will say to you
little Charley!" said William to his lovely lit
tie brother, as he opened bis soft blue eyes ant
lk 7 ha cxsu
30 many kisses as to make you cry, for l don
think you like to be kissed much."-" Don
you believe" said he, turning to his mother
that father will think him the finest littl
fellow he ever saw expect he will love hin
even better than do" added he, pressing hi
lips tenderly on his soft cheek.
The grateful mother smiled upon her preciou
boys while her heart was lifted in adoring
thankfulness to him who had bestowed thes
gifts and was about restoring to them the life o
earthly joys.
Williams exuberance of joy continued tt
overflow at his lips, while the mothers chastenet
but for more deep, feelings kept her very
thoughtful, though she listened with com
placency, and would now and then reply to tn
playful remarks of her chld.-They were act
ing in this way when peal of thunder onI
and loud rolled over their heads, and in mo
ment Emma and her boy were at the window
Their eyes having been directed towards the wa
ter, they had not observed the cloud which ha
arisen in the East and which they now perceive
had nearly covered the heavens. "God in me-
cy preserve thy father!" exclaimed Emm'
'' for fear storm is close at hand" Oh
if" she checked herself and only added, "E
who has hitherto preserved him can still ket
him in perfect peace if thy mind is stayed {
me- was whispered by the blessed Spirit " Cor
passionate Father" she responded inwardly,"
will lean upon thee, will trust thee will I
pose on thy faithfulness. Again was her sp
it calmed, and the painful throbbings of h
nxious heart quieted, although the storm W
evidently increasing. In one short hour he
had the scene before her changed. Dark a
heavy clouds were driven with frightful rapi
ity across the heavens, and the water was lash
to foaming fury by the violence of the wind.
seemed indeed impossible that vessel could i
for moment on the heaving pillows of IL
stormy sea.
What change too in the joyous feelings
Williams little affectionate heart. The
tears chased each other down his sweet p
cheeks, and all his childish prattle was forg
ten. "Kneel with me, my dear boy" said
mother, taking his hand, and let us pray
your dear fathers safety in this dreadful hou
The mother and child sank ON their knees
gether, and with the eloquence Of won
whose fears for the beloved of her heart W
awake, and with the devotion of Christ
whose trust was the living God, she poured (
her soul before Him. Such sweet and
calm was diffased over her spirit, and so abs
bed were all her feelings in this divine exerc
that the continued rawlings of the relent
storm were scarcely heard, and when she ai
from her knees and looked around she ain
expected to sec the sky and the water as sci
as her trusting heart. But its fury abated
and so weak and faithless is the human h
even when it leans the most confidently in {
that her agitating foreb ;dings in great m
ure returned.
Fl 1t was now nearly bed time, but poor Eu
thought not of resting. Her unconscious b.
laid to rest in its little cradle, was softly bre
ing and sweetly sleeping; and William, ,
ried with watching and weeping, sank b'
him on the floor and for n while forgot his
rows in the profound slumbers of childhoo
But not to the wife and the mother came