The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-06-03
The Young Fisherman.


lage with which the east of Scotland is thick
ly studded, is the little town Of st. M.
Inhabited by a peaceabe and industrious peo-
pie, it is washed by the waters of the Forth,
and girt in by the bold rocks which free the
shores of Fife from the charge of tameness
that stigmatizes the rest Of that district. The
old church, with its massive Saxon pillars,
stands on rock above the sea, as it has stood
since the days of David H., and in its quiet
graveyard the fisherman rests when his tolls
are over, and the waters murmur his requiem.
The streets are full of cheerful and active life,
and everything is characteristic of the calling
of the inhabitants.
And here are passed quiet lives. unbroken
by any event of sterring interest, save when
some boat goes down, leaving desolaton at the
Widows hearth, and sadness over all the lit
tie colony. Of such an event have now to
speak.
1t was Saturday evening in June. The light
was fast closing 1t, but the people still linger-
ed in the Shore Street, men needing their nets,
and women their husbands stockings, as they
chatted in groups before the doors. A boat
which had gone with six Of their number to
sell fish at Newhaven, was expected back, and
they waited to receive their companions ard
hear their marketings, and still more, to hear
the last news Of the Russian war; the war
that one topic through all Britain, and which,
to the quiet fishermen Of St. M, still recall
ed the loss of one whose blythe face it had
gladdened them to look upon, and whose fresh
heart and kindly bearing had endeared him to
them all; who, in the first bloom of youthful
manhood and martial ardor, had given himself
to the Lord, and who, on the bloodstained
Of earthly glory for the far more blessed
glories of heaven. Sorely was he lamented
by many and though thousands had since fall
en- in battle and in the camp, and many a we'll
known name swelled the list of sufferers, to
the people of st. M no loss effaced the
laird's son.
Blu: as they talked the evening wore away,
and the wind, which had slept in the west all
day, awakened and blew in sn6den gust from
the northeast, driving the clouds across the
Bass rock to the land, and breaking the smooth
! surface of the sea into waves. The old fish
ermen predicted that the boat must be late of
returning, as tide and wind were both against
her, and when the light was plainly seen from
the May lighthouse, and the air grew chill,
| they went home TO their suppers.
Two women, however, instead Of going in,
NJ fhr1, b,,r -
of Newark Castle, which stands on rock so
high and so prominent that wide expanse of
| th Forth can be seen from it, and thence
they stretched their eyes for the boat, which
was 10 bring to one her hus and and the faith
! er of her six children, and tn the other her on
| iy son, and she was widow. Now and
then little sail would come around the point
by the Lady's tower. but their practised eyes
soon discerned that il was not that which they
looked for. aat
"l'm thin king they'll 10 be ham" the Mich. %
said the younger woman, on whose open and
comely face shadow of anxiety hickered.
tsThey'l: no bide over the marn,'' rejo;ned
the widow, can my Willie has onv word in't
He aye likej to pass the Sabbath in his faith
er's house when my guide man was here, and
he's no like to do otherwise, now that his
mither is lone widow in it -
"He's guide lad, Isabel,'' said her neigh
Dor, "and how much cause We have to praise
the Lord who has kept him frae evil, and led
him to himself in the days Of his youth -
| The widows pale face frightened with a
smile as she responded to this. giving instan-
ces of her sons humble piety, and adding,
"Ye'll Mind, Menie, that the minister's text
last Sabbath was anent 'pressing into the king
dom Of God.' Ittook great hold on Willie's
mind: he has aye been coming over 1t sin
syne, and just yesternight he said to me, Mith-
er, we dinna see half what is in that. We
maun press in mair than we have been think
| ing TO do.o
| The shadow deepened on Menie M'Arthur's
face as she said. s.pm doubling its snfu' and
faithless in me, but it's concerning that very
discourse that hae fear about When
the minister said that the kingdom Of
God being the kingdom Of grace here and the
and the kingdom Of glory hereafter, we maun
be in the ane the now IL wad ever be IN the
ither, there came sic light of gladness over
my Sandy's face as made my heart tremble.-
could ma bnt think he was that far on in the
kingdom Of grace, that glory could ma be far
awa.' fear to hear ill news of him;" and
the tears ran down over her cheeks as she
spoke.
| The widow calmly said, s'Ihave aye thought
that sweet and soothing word HE shall
not be afraid Of evils tidins: his heart is fixed,
trusting in the Lord.' No that tidings, i'll for
the flesh to bear, Gamma come-I ken better
than that; but then We see, whatsoever be the
will Of the Lord Gamma be evil, and we ken that
'all things work together for good to them that
love the Lord and so no truly i'll thing can
come over your gudenan and my Willie"
| And still the boat came not, and the two
women at last returned to the cottage where
they lived butt aud ben, that is, in the two
rooms under the same roof, TO lay out the SIM
pie supper, and to see that the fire was good,
for it would he cold coming off the sea.
The widows household cares were soon
over, and she sat down to read the holy book
whence she drew her calmness and her
strength.