Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-07-31

cxprcssible JOY found it solid earth. In
an instant she had stepped from the shall
lop, caught her infants in her arms and
started for the beach which seemed at a
little distance. The water dcepcncd as
she proceeded, to her waist--to her throat
she staggered, and the stined bub-
bling cry" Of her children nervcd her
with new strength An almost superhu-
man spring and she was safe again, and
anon she reeoilcd, as the earth seemed to
sink under her feet, and another footstcp
would have plunged her into an abyss, in
the very sight Of safety. The agony of
fear, the strength of dispair, the lightning
of hope, each seized her by turns, until at
length in a delirium of joy she left the
sea behind her, having escaped its last en-
quilting wave, and falling on her face in
the damp saud, she poured out her soul
in gratitude to God,wh had delivered her
aud her little ones.
She rose shuddering with cold, now that
the struggle was over. Her children,
shudderins with terror, and sobbing in
discomfort, cIung to her knees. The wind,
as if heaven had held it back until her es-
cape, increased in fury. Rain fell in tor
rents, and the waves drenchcd the shore
lar above the point at which she first felt
safety. Her eye wandered in vain for
hclp, the cold sky, the lashng wave, the
bleak rock, the barren sand mockcd the
hope of the mother for comfort or safety.
\ reaction OF feeling was taking place
her heart was sinking within her.
\ voice Again and nearer, \ man
upon the rocks earnestly beckoning, as if
some new aud minent danger besct the
fugitive from death She saw no more,
but sank insensible upon the sand and
her children raised piercing wall beside
her. Uncrring instinct! They did not
shrek SO when she sank down to pray.
Another moment and the man who
shouted the warning is beside the ship
wrecked mother His hardy wife attends
him. She has caught the children, each
by shoulder, with more strength than
g.ntleneSs, though with gentle purpose,
anl is serambiing up the rocks. He bears
the still insensible form Of the mother
and as he assenls his hat has fallen be-
hind hiu AMI is dancing in an eddy Of
water over the very spot from which, an
instant before, he mad caught his uneon-
saious burden The tide, now at the flood,
has swept like an ayalanch over the nook
among the rocks, and the fragments OF the
deserted boat are frctting among the crag-
~ points of that lnhosgitable shore.
In the cabin of the fisherman, the moth
er is soon restored to life. ller first
thought is of her children, whom she en-
braces again aud again in a transport Of
joy. She unelasps a rich necklace from
the bosom of her daughter.
Take this gage Of my gratitude She
exclaimed, " accept it as an earnest, you
to whom | owe the life of my childrcn.'
The fisherman shook his head.
Il have no use for such riches" said
he " The prolucns Of my labor suffice
me. To you this gold and these jewels
will be much more useful than TO me
Retain them.
The mother took the hand Of her pre-
server \ oung and beautiful even in tae
humble vcstmcnts which the fishcrman's
wife had substituted for her rich anil wet
clothing, her air was full Of majesty.
Thank you :" she cried, "thank YOU !!
loa are right. The service you have
rendered carnot be repaid with gold, and
God, | trust, will pat it in my power to
testify my gratitude in a manner worthy
Of you.
:. y our safety will be our rccompcnsc,
and we desire no other sad the fisher.
mac, aud the honest face of his wife, light
ed with PLACID JOY, bore testimony to the
same sentiment.
Tel me, my friends" the lady asked
after pause, "on what coast has this
misfortune thrown us ~
"On that of Denmark
The mother wrung her hands in dispair
F" Denmark then are my children still
lost, though they have survived the perils
of the ocean !"
"Whilc Finn and his wife live" said
the fisherman, in an effort to console their
unfortunate guest, "you have nothing to
fear, madame, for yourself, or for your
children"
But you know not. my friends, that a
price is now upon my head, and on those
Of my children, We were flying from the
soil Of Denmark, when the storm forced
US back upon it. am
Keep your secret-do not tell 1t to
me - cried the fishermen abruptly check
inr the revelation she was about to make.
/" All that have need to know i, that
YOU came here in distress anl that you
are in worse distress while you remain
The storm will soon abate-thc coast of
the Low Countries is not far distant--to-
morrow, perhaps this very evening, | will
conduct you from this kingdom to a place
where the persecution OF your enemies,
whoever they are, shall not reach YOU
Snatch some repose, meanwhile, and con-
fdc in my hospitality"
The good, but humble, couple FASTENED
to prepare near the hearth, pallet Of
straw, upon which the beautiful unknown
did not hesitate an instant to place herself
with her children. With an arm around
each, she was in moment wrapped IN
sleep. The good man Finn stood breath
lessly attentive, while his guest clasped
her children convulsiyely moment, and
struggled almost from the bed to the
floor. Then "a change came DER the
spirit of her dream an eloquent express
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