Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-30
THE ELS ERIN AN

as II no storm from the one had ever disturbed
the repose OF the other; and even the OCEAN
that great highway Of the world-lay as gentle
as II It's bosom had never betrayed-as if no
traveller had ever sunk to death in its embrace
The sun had gone down, and the pensve twilight
would have reigned over nature but for the
moon, which rose in her full-orbed beauty. the
queen OF an lllimitable world, to smile upon
the gOodly things ofOurs, and to give radiance
and glory to all she shOne upon II was an
hour and a scene that led the soul to the con-
temptation of Him who never ceases to watch
over the works he has made and whose protec-
ting care displays itself alike upon the solid
land and the trackless wastes Of the deceitful
sea
On such an evening, a group was assembled
around one OF the hshermen's cottages. The
haoltatlon was built in the true spirit of the
olden time, when comfort was the principal OBJ
Ject of the proprietor. At either side of the
door was scattered the lines and nets and bas-
kets that betokened the calling Of the owner,
and the fisherman was taking his farewell for
the night of his happy, loving family, who were
bidding him = God speed" on his voyage
hne old man was leaning his arms on the rail-
ing, and talking to an interesting girl, whose
hand lay on the shoulder Of younger sister.
The stout fisherman, dressed in his rough lerkin,
and large boots, that reached far above the
knees, was in the act of kissing little cherub,
who seemed half terrified at being elevated so
high as his fathers lips; while the wife and
mother, with her infant nurslng on her lap
was looking anxiOusly upon her husband as she
breathed the parting blessing and the prayer
Tor his safe return. little boy, the miniature
OF his father in cOuntenance and in dress, bear
ing huge boat-clOak across his shoulders and
the lantern that was to give light when the
moon departed, completed the group, if we ex-
cept noble Newfoundland dog, some steps in
advance Of the party, watching for the nod to
commence his march for a kind of pier where
the fisherman and his boy were to embark
Good luck, good luck exclaimed the old
man; good luck and safe home again, John;
We want naught more than Gods blessing and
that ye may have for asking; but We may as
10 ye.'
The blessing was heartily echoed by his kind
partner and his children, and vhistliny as he
went, with his bOat-hOOk on his shoulder his
dog Neptune before. and his boy, following
he trudged along 10 the beach.
With the earliest dawn Of morning the fisher
mans family were astir; the little girl was bus
lily arranging their little parlor while the
younger was preparing their breakfast table,
and the mother was spreading before the fire
the cloths Of her husband and her boy An
hour passed, and she grew somewhat uneasy
that he had remained abroad beyond the usual
period Of his return. Another hour had clap
sed, when she said TO her father, Father, go
out to the hillOck. and try to see his sail on the
water; he seldom stays out so long when the
too, was not quite well last night and this alone
should have FASTENED him home"
The old man went forth, and one by one his
grandchildren followed him, until the mother
was left alone, rocking the cradle Of her uncon-
sclous babe. After the lapse of another hour
her daughter entered, with news that a neigh
Dor had spoken TO her father in the night and
that he certainly would be home soon.
God grant il - said she, and she spoke in q
tone of deep anxiety. " He never was so long
away but once. and that was when he saved the
crew Of the ship Mary, and then the whirl Of
the sinking vessel had well nigh made his grave
Again she stirred the fire, again arranged
the clothes before il aud poured some hot water
into the tea cups. Still the breakfast remain
ed untouched
The sun was now soaring 10 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 q
cherries meal the seats at either side of the
wife remained vacant. The old man was the
only individual who appeared TO anticipate no
evil, but be hastily finished his breakfast, and
went forth.
The noon was rapidly passing, and the sun
had already given token of the glory Of his de-
parture, when the fshermans wife, having
lulled her infant TO sleep, went herself to the
hill that commanded an extensive view of the
wide spread ocean. All the little household
soon assembled on the spot, but no boat was
hope except the aspect Of the waves, which
looked too placid 10 be dangerous.
Their deep dread was no longer concealed
and while the old man passed to and fro, look
Ing earnestly at brief intervals over the lonely
sea, the mother and daughter were sobbing
audib,y.
- Fearless let him be, whose trust is in his
God" exclaimed the father The sentence was
uttered involuntarily, but had its effect
All, said the mother, q" he always trusted
IN God, and God will not fOrsake him now
:" Do you remember. Jane" continued the
old man, " how often Providence was with me-
amid the storm and the wreck, when help from
man was Tar Oh, and would have been useless if
nearl'
And they cheered and encouraged each other
70 hope for the best, but 10 submit 10 the decree
OF Heaven, whether II came as the gentle dew
% nourish, the heavy rain to Oppress.
From that hillOck, which overlooked the ocean,
sscended their mingled prayers that God would
not leave them desOlate.
The fsherman-the object Of their hopes and
fears-had been very successful during the
night, when. at daybreak. as he was preparing
90 return home, he remembered his promise to
bring with him some sea-weed to manure the
potato plot behind bis cottage. He was then
close to rocks which were only discernable at
low water; he pulled for them. jumped ashore
fastened the painter to the juttng part of a cliff
and took his bOathOOk with him. He collected
sufficient quantity of the weed, but, in his
eagerness 20 obtain it, had wandered from the
landing place, when he heard his boy halloing
and eIclairning that the painter was loose He
rushed instantly toward the boat, which WAS
then several yards off, the boy was vainly en-
deayOring to use both oars, and Neptune, the
faithful dog, was running backward and for
ward, bowling fearfully, as If conscious of his
masters danger-st one moment about to
plunge into the waves to join him, and the next
licking the face and hands of the child; as if he
saw that for him his protection was most needed
The fisherman perceived at once the desper-
ate nature Of his situation; the tide was coming
In rapidly, and his hope Of escape at AN
fort to use the oars, had let one Of them fall
overheard.
= Father. father" exclaimed the poor lad,
what shall / do?' The boat was at this mo-
ment 50 far distant that his distracted father
could scarcely hear the words but he called