The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-05-15
From the SoHfAsrA Fssld and EIreide.
> THE WRECK.
BY AGROsTESUa


| was standing, musing, upon the deck of a
splendid steamer. The Lord of Day was just
sinking from the view of the children of men,
whilst its rays were reflected upon the clouds OF
crimson, purple and gold, forming shades Of the
most fantastic beauty. The balmy air of even
ing was gathering, and all nature contributed to
give enjoyment TO the enchanting scene when
some one near shouts, "fhe wreck the
wreck !" | turned and beheld the wreck, and
q sad sight il was blackened and charred tim
bcrs projected up from the dark waters-spars
leaned forward into the river, around which the
water played in dimpled eddes; near foated a
richly carved divsn or chair, relies of what had
once been a handsome cabin. What a tale OF
sorrow could those disfigured timbers tell, ii
they could only speak of an hour when night
had thrown her sable mantle on earth-when
the queen of brightness had paled. and hid her
golden face behind dark cloud, as if ominous
of approaching cvil STILL amid that darkness.
upon the bosom of that mighty river, ploughcd
an elegant steamer. 4 song of reyelry went
up from her crew, whilst her cabin presented
one scene of gaiety and brilliance. Persian car
pets rendered noiseless the foot fall. The walls
ahd farnlture were of the most elaborate work
manship; amid the company rich silks rustled,
and diamonds flashcd-soft, voluptuous music
swclled forth, to which fairy like footsteps kept
u
the dazzling scene. Beauty smiled, and haugh-
tiness bent the knee at her shrine But harA I!
that cry Of fire, which sends terror to the heart
The huge red flames twine their tongues like
fiery serpents, around the railing. through every
creyicc. The scene is changed-shrieks the
most appalling rcnd the midnight air-such
rushing, such cries of human agony; mothers
calling for their children wives cnging in an
guish to their husbands; the lover makes a dcs-
perate effort for the safety of her he loves
some throw themselves into the waves in the
vain hope Of swimming TO shore; Others in de-
spair remain upon the boat. Prayers for mer-
cy are borne to Heaven upon the hot breath of
night now and then a form would raise itself
up from the surface with such -agonizing
face then sink TO rise no more. Every prayer.
every hope is directed to One who has said, IL
am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
end" There is mighty rushing of waters,
then a hcave, plunge, and a few fragments,
burnt and Scared are all that is left to tell of
the drama of pleasure and fear which has been
enacted upon the bosom of the deep. Grief
perhaps to last through life, has entered the
hearts of the friends of drowned ones; still,
they are comfortcd with the thought that the
souls of their Christian friends are not buried
beneath the ruins of that wreck, but that they
would meet upon the stream of eternal life,
never TO have their pure pleasures wrecked
more. But it is not the case with those who
have no hope for their friends Well might
they weep for the wrcckcd-body and soul.
wrecked TO all eternity How sad to see man
Gods own image, with high hopes, who buoy
antly treads the way of existence, who possesses
both mental and physical vigor, launch forth
upon the voyage Of life, loving and beloved
then again behold him with his fond aspirations
his Cloudcss hopes, blaStcd-his morals wreck
ed upon the rock of dissipation, or sunk be-
meath the dashing waves Of inhmy and disgrace
both more to bc Stunned than the rock Scylla
or the whirlpool Charybdis.