Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1863-12-11
COME THIS WAY FATHER"

During a short visit to tho sea shore of
our State, some two years since. with a
party of friends, it was proposed ono bright
afternoon that we should make up party
and 60 down to the harbor on a fishing
excursion. We accordingly started. and
after sailing about for miles, young lady
Of the company declined going far her,
ana requested as to land her on onc of the
small islands in the h9rbor, where she pro-
posed to stay until our return. Ny little
boy then about four years old, preferred
remaining with her. Accordinely, we left
them: aud proceeded some six miles fur
ther We remained out much longer than
VIC Intended, and as night approached, a
thick fog set i'll from the sea, entirely en-.
shroudlng us.-Without cohpass, ahl not
knowing the right direction to steer, we
CROPPED our way along for somo hours, un-
til finally we distinguished the breaking of
the suil on one of tho islands; but wercat
loss to know which ono of them. l stood
up in the stern oe the boat, where I had
been steering, aud shouted with all nv
strength. listened a moment and heard
through the thick fog and above tho break.
ing OF The surf, the sweet voice of my boy
calling, "Come this way father !-stcer
straight Tor me-!m here waiting for you ?
, we steered by that sound, and soon nv
little boy leaped into my arms with ioy,
saying, 81 knew you would hear me faith
err and nestled to sleep on my bosom.
The child and the maiden are both slecninn
now. They died in two short weeks after
the period refer to, with hardly an inter-
val of time between their doath. Now
tossed on the rough sea OF life, without
compass or guide, enveloped in the fog,
and surrounded by rocks, I seem to hear
the sound of that cherub voice cal]ino
from the bright shore, "Come this wav
father!-s'cer straight for me-" When
oppressed with sadness, take my way to
our quiet cemetry: still, rs I stand by one
little mound the same musical voice echoes
from thence, "Come this way fathcr I'm
waiting for thee!'
| remember a voice
| Which once guided my way
When lost on the sea
| Fog -cnshrouled lay;
Twas the voice OF child,
AS he stood on the shore
| It. sounded out clear
! O'er the dark pillows roar-
Come this way, my father
| Steer straight for me
Here safe on the shore
am waiting for lhec!
remember that voice
/ Midst rocks and through breakers
And hig! das'ing spray;
| low sweet to my heart
Did it sound from the s,,vrc
AS it echoed out clear
! Ger the dark waters roar
"Ceme this way, father.
| Stec: strai ight for me-
! llcre safe on til. sl.ore
am waiting :or q. ::'.
| remember my i,y
When l held 10 NY breast
| !he !"rm OF that dear cue
AND scc.hcd It to rest
| For tho tones Of my child
| II called You, dear fatcr
| And knew you would hear
The voice o. your darling
For per the dark sea,
While safe Oh the shsrc
| ! was waiting for thee!"
| That voice is now husl,'d
Which then guided my way;
The form then prcss'd
Is now mingling with clay
But the tonss of my child
Still soun in my ear
Il am calling you fathcr!-
0, can you not hear
The voice of your isg
As you Toss on life's sea,
For on q bright shore
/ am waiting for thel"
remember that voice;
/, In many q lone hour
speaks to my heart
with fresh beauty and power,
And echoes far out
Over.life's troubled wavo
And sounds from loved lips
That lie in the grave
"Come this way, father;
q, steer straight for NE!
Here safe in Heaven
l nm waiting for thee!
MOBILE, Dc. 5.-The Evening .News
bas later advices from the Trans Miss;s-
s'ppl. Scott has published letter at