Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-05-08
The Thunder Storm.
BY GEO. D. PRENTICE.

bh OEO' D' THLNIl(E.
Incver was man of feeble courage. There
are but few scenes of either human or elemen.
tai strife upon which have not looked with a
brow of daring. / have stood in the front Of
battle, when the whirlwind was Fending oaks
from their rocky cliffs, and scattering them to
the clouds have seen these things with
swelling soul that knew not Of danger but
there is something in the thunder's voice that
makes me tremble like . child. have tried
to overcome this unmanly weakness. / have
called pride to my aid have even sought to
strengthen moral courage in the lessons Of phi
lOsophy, but it avails me nothing. At the first
low moaning Of the distant cloud, my heart
shrieks. quivers, and dies within me.
NV dread Of thunder had its origin in an in.
cident that occurred when was boy of ten
years. had cousin, q girl Of the same age
Of myself who had been the constant cOmpan-
ion Of my childhood. Strange that after the
lapse Of so many years, that cOuntenance
bright young creature, her eyes flashing like
a beautiful gem, her free locks streaming, as in
joy, upon the rising gale; her cheek glowing
like ruby through transparent snow. Her
voice had the melody and ,joyousness Of .
UITu =, AUU WUCu Biz OOuuuc0 OVCG tuC " OUus
land hill, or fresh green valley, shouting q glad
answer to every voice Of nature, and clapping
her little hands in the very ecstacy Of young
existence, she looked as il breaking away, .
free nightingale from earth, and going off
where oil things are beautiful and happy, like
her.
The little girl had been passing some days at
&C. 81 -
home. Her path lay across the fields, and
gladly became the companion Of her walk.
never knew summer morning more beautiful
and still. Only one cloud was visible, and that
seemed as pure, and white, and peaceful, aS If
it had been the incense smoke Of some burn
ing censor Of the skies. The leaves hung ST.
lent in the woods, the waters in the bay forgot
their undulating, the flowers were bending
their heads as If dreaming Of the rainbow and
dew, and the whole atmosphere was of such .
soft and luxurious sweetness that it seemed
cloud Of roses scattered down by the hand Of
Peri, from the faroff garden Of Paradise. The
green earth and blue sky lay abroad in their
bOundlessness, and the peaceful sky hung
over them. The little creature at my side
was in delirium Of happiness, and her sweet
voice came ringing upon the air rs often as she
heard the note Of some favOrite bird or found
some strange and lovely flower in her frOlc
wanderings. The IhbrOken and almost super
natural tranquility Of the day continued until
noon. Then, for the first time, the indication
Of an approaching tempest was manifest
Over the summit Of mountain, at the dis
tance of about mile, the folds Of large cloud
became suddenly visible, and ct the same in.
slant, hollow roar came down on the winds
as if it had been the sound OF waves in rocky
cavern. The clouds rolled on like banner
unfolded upon the air, but still the atmosphere
was IS calm and the waves as motionless as
before, and there was not even quiver upon
the sleeping waters to tell Of the hurricane.
The tempest was impossible. AS the only re.
sort, we fed to mighty oak that stood at the
foot Of q rugged precipice. Here we remained
and gazed almost breathlessly upon the clouds
marshalling themselves like bloody giants in
the sky. The thunder was not frequent; but
every burst was so fearful that the young crea-
ture who stood beside me, shut her eyes con-
vulsively, clung with desperate strength to my
arm, and shricked rs il her heart would break.
In few minutes the storm was upon Us. Du.
ring the height Of its fury, the little girl lifted
her fingers toward the prccipice that lowered
over US. ] looked, and saw an amethystine
peak and the next moment the clouds OPEN
ed, and tOttcred to their foundations; . roar
like the grOan Of the universe filled the air,
and felt myself blinded and thrown, knew
not whittier. How long remained insensible
| cannot tell but when consciousness return
ed, the violence Of the tempest was abating,
the roar Of the winds was dying on the tree.
tops, and the deep tones Of the thunderstorm
came in fainting murnurs from the eastern
hills. IrcSe and looked tremblingly and al
most delirOus!y around. She was there, the
dear idol Of my infant love, stretched out on
the earth. After moment Of irrcsolution,
went up and looked upon her. The handkcr-
chief upon her neck was slightly rent A sim
gle rent, and single dark spot on her bosom,
told where the pathway Of her death had
been.
At first clasped her to my breast, with q
cry Of agony, and then laid her down and
gazed upon her face with almost feelings Of
calmness. Hcrbright disheveled ringlets clus.
tered around her brow; the look Of terror had
faded from her lips and infant smiles were pic.
tured there; the rcd, rose tinge upon her
cheek was lovely as IN life, and pressed it to
my own; the fountains Of tears were opened,
and wept Is II my heart was water. have
but dim recollection Of what followed;
know that remained weeping and mOtiOnless
till the coming twilight, and WAS taken ten.
derly by the hand and led away where saw
the countenance Of parents and sisters.
Many years have gone by on the wings Of
light and shadows, but the scene have por-
trayed still comes over me with terrible dis
tinctness. The oak yet stands ct the base Of
the precipice, but its limbs are black and dead,
and the hollow trunk looks upwards to the
sky, as If calling to the clouds for drink, Is an
emblem Of decay. One year ago visited
the spot and the, thoughts Of bygOns years
came mOurnfully to me. thought Of the lit
tie innocent being who fell by my side like
some beautiful tree Of spring, rent up by the
whirlwind in the midst Of its blossoming-
But remembered-and Ohl there was Joy in
the memOry-that she had gone where no
lIGhtnings slOmbeF 10 the rainbow cloud, and