The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-06-10


about them with flushed and scowllng
face.
Poor Mary had received the tidings Of
her pew misfortune with suppressed
groan. but now her emotion was only yis-
ible in the silent tears that fell thick and
fast, while she encirclod her unconscious
children more closely in her arms. She
remembered the many days and nights
of weury toll she had endured to gather
a portion Of the little sum that was TO
convey her away from the scenes of her
sufferings, and with which they were to
secure an humble home farther Vest
But now all was gone. The bright an
ticipations Of home, of their home, in
some quiet spot, had long been her
strength. and many an hour of sorrow had
been lishtened with the thought that one
day they should till their own lard, that
she should see the bright grain waving
and the prairie flowers sprnging luzuri
ously around their dwelling; aud her
heart beat with Joy, as, in imagination,
she saw her children bounding upon the
green sward, and breathing the fresh.
pure air, that had thus far been denied
them; and, above all, she would
see her husband freed from the in
fuences that drew him and his hard earn
ings TO the gaming tables with such mag
netic witchery, despite all his resolutions
and promises. But poor Mary's imsgin-
alton had travelled too fast, and her hap
py dreams were all crushed now. No
word of reproach escaped her lips, though
she shuddcred as she listened to the wind E,
and thought how soon they should be
without shelter. Her uncomplaining sor-
row touched the heart of the gambler,
and again he threw himself down upon
the old chest, and buryipg bis face in his
! hands, awaited the summons be moneD-
tarily expected from the captain.
There they sat till midnight approach
ed Quiet bad taken the place of the
noisy confusion of the evening, as one af-
ter another dropped away in slumber.-
The heavy rumbling sound of the ID machine-
ry fell painfully upon the nervous ear Of
the gambler, as he listened to the ap
proach of every football, till suddenly the
sound ceased, and only the rushing wa
ters and the dismal whistliDg Of the wind
broke the stiffness. Presently the cap
tain, accompanied by man bear
ing lantern, appeared, aud or
dered the unwecome passengers forward.
They arose, and without word obeyed
the summons.
The boat was lowered, and two men
at the cars awaited orders. Mary pre-
pared to descend, aud placing the babe
in her young daughters arms, with word
of caution, turned from them, and in
moment more was safely seated in the
boat. BY the dim light of the lamp she
watched the coming of Anna with her
precious burden, and with anxious fear
saw them lifted to the boats edge. She
reached forward to secure them but Anna
tottered, and in a moment was plunged
into the rolling waters. A shrill shrek
rent the air aud rang through the boat
with such wild agony as awokc every
sleeper.
My child: My Annal' cried the fran
tic mother. as she gazed vainly in the
dark waters that had closed over her
loved ones,
Save theml' save them!' she still
shrieked while she struggled to thro"
herself after them, though firmly held by
one OF the oarsmen. TIE other plunged
into the river, white half dozen lights
fuug broad CLEAN upon the water, and
enabled him to discern any object that ap-
pearcd.
The father peered into the distance With
q keen quick gaze, and then gave loud
shout as a dark mass rose to the surface.
With few expert strokes the swimmer
reached Anna as she was sinking be-
meath the waves again, and with a strong
hold be grasped aud bore her safely to
the arms of the distracted mother, who
folded the dripping, exhausted child to
her bosom. Still she shrieked-
"My childl my babe is gone! oh. save
him too" And with wild gestures size
entire ated them to fnd it.
''What does she meant" asked the as
touished parsmen.
"Auna had the bate in her arms when
| lifted her down to you" replied the ex-
cited aud bewidercd father
Without another word the generous
boatman plunged into the water again.
and glidcd here and there in search OF
! the lost In vain the liz BITS flashed nth
er and thither, throwing long streak oi
brightness to the shore. Nothing was
visible, and hope sank in the hearts OF
the lockers on who had gathered upon
deck, and even the harsh captain pitied
the mother, as he heard her agonizcd
sobs. when the search was abandoned, and
the boatmen returned. chilled and wear
led, from bis fruitless efforts No one
spoke, and many eyes still anxiousiy
watched the rutfled waters. Amid the
silence, save the half stlfed crlet OF the
bereaved mother, the boat glided slowly
away the oars dripping lightly IN the wa
ters that had embosomed the slcepine
babe. On and on they softly moved, tlli
! - boots liuhtS olimmered in the dis