The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-16
0stop Her! Stop Her!"
ny VIRGINIA TOWNSEND.

It was terrible ga.o, through which tho
good steamer ploughcd her path away out on
the broad Atlantic. The heavy clouds cours-
cd like grey woolens tho TACO of the sky, tho
great waves rushed and thundcred ut tho yes.
sell, and clutched and struck ut her with their
fierce hands, and dashed over her decks the
salt spray of theih wrath, and rocked her to
and fro-the stately steamer, rs she struggled
onward with the winds and the waves lcagued
together for her death. The dinner was over,
few Of the braycst of tho passcngcrs-de-
termined to face oil danger for tho cake OF
witnessing that sublime spectacle, storm Mt
sea-werr pluuging and stumbling their way
up the stairs to tho deck, when one Of these
suddenly stood still, every nerve thrilled with
the awful terror of tho words which had smote
his ear from tho lips the chief oficer-tbat
cry which Is tho most significant Of danger
and death of any words which can be uttered
on board ship
"Stop her Stop her !" Tho command
rang like clarion above the hoarse fury OF
the wind-abova tho awful tumult OF the
waves. The captain caught the sound, and
the next moment, swift and sudden as light
ming no had rushed past his appalled, pasSen.
ger, his white face only betraying the dread
ut his heart.
Was an iceburg sailing down upon them
n vast white mountain ready to grind and
crush. and bury the doomed vessel under her
cold feet? Had the fair steamer, which had
set her face so proudly toward the west,
sprung sudden leak, and must the anxious
freight of hearts she carries. 60 down ut last
under those hungry waves; and must tho eyes
that watched and waited for tho beloved ut
home, grow dim with weeping for those who
came notY
"Stop her! Stop hcr!"
The swift thoughts-the terrible Tears gave
new courage tp the passenger who was crop.
ing his way to the deck, and almost as soon
nssthe captain mounted it, the former was ut
his sldo. Their eyes swept the wide, heaving
ocean, and on the right they beheld six men
struggling and battling for life with those mad
waves, six men suddenly swept over board! In
a moment boat was lowered. 1t did not
seem possible that she could live moment in
that awful sea but there were plenty OF
brave hearts on board to risk their lives for
the lives of their brothers, and in moment,
manned by stalwart hearts she put OIL
Then camo the long hope, and fear, and
waiting on board the stcamer-tho straining
of eyes through tho storm for tho sight OF
the iittli boat struggling her way towards
the drowning men. At last she was seen 70.
turning. The passengers gathered in o
brcathlcss crowd to watch her, and count the
number of her rescued. There werc four in
the boat-thcre had been six overheard!
One old man, his hair showed white with
tho winter of his years, pressed fownrd--his
son was among tho missing! Tho old mans
face was white ms his sons was, whether it
Law unconscious in tho boat, or had gone
down in tho triumphing waves. Tho old
father leaned over and searched the faccs in
the boat. They wero four, but the ono for
which no sought was not there!
"My boy is lost 7" cried the old man, in q
voice that made the heart Of every passenger
stand still, 80 full was itof human loss and
anguish. All alone now the old man must
make his way to the new, strange country,
whittier he and his son were going together
whittier tho brave heart and the strong
arm had lurcd'the old and feeble ono, in the
hope OF building up new fortune; and this
was all tho tidlngs he had now to send TO the
loving mother. who sat waiting and full OF
trenulous tenderness ut home-this was oil
to tho fair young sister, who had sent out
her last farewell ON sob Our boy is
lost"
Dear children, whose young eyes may DO
dimmod for pity of the brokcn.hcarted old
man, this story il not all of my fancy. l had
its principal facts from the lips OF tho passer-
ger who witnessed that father 8 anguish over
his boy that was, and is not. And | have
written it for you here, with this still May
afternoon leaning towards the night, with
tho soft, furrowed clouds folding away the
fair faco Of the spring sky. :,
"Stop her Stop her !" Never on board
some steamer ploughing her path through
the storm, may you hear that cry; but Oh,
on another sea, where have gone down many
and princely frcights, there will assail you
terrible storms Of wind and wavc /.
"Stop her! Stop her :" In tho gales o!
passion and tho storms of Lille may your soul
learn the meaning and majesty Of that call |!
"Stop her! Stop her." II the breakers
aro nboad-if the rocks lie bcfore-if tho
path on which you arc going is In anywise
the path of sin. tho way OF death
Be vigilant, be prompt on tho broad AT
lantic Of your lie, for there "tbe winds may
arise, tho rains beat, and where loss and ruin
lie before the path of your fair and stately
ship: "S,op her Stop her!"-Arth~s
Magazine.