The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-01-27


We feel benumbsd and wish 70 be no more
| But In the After silence, on the shore,
When all 10 lost except little lifs."
Byros.
Nearly all the lights were out, long ago,
the blinds closed. and the people living on
the north side Of Staten leland, fast asleep
quite forgetting the beautiful bay just in
front Of their windows. or the white waves
which the wind sent dashing up on shore.
I don't think Joeephene Moore noticed all
this. either, though her face was pressed
against the pane. and her eyes looked 10
sharply and eagerly across the water. She
had sent her little maid to bed, locked her
door, knelt down by the window, and won.
dered What she could do 10 take away this
terrible anguish which sufocated her. She
looked up TO the sky the stars were going
in under a dark cloud, the wind was driving
il along, faster and faster. Then she watch
ed the dark shadows creep over the water
then dropt her head on her knees and groan.
ed: "Ths is the end-this is all |; with my
own lips / did il. Is thero God who secs
such misery m this, and does not send death
90 relieve me ?"
She spnsng to her feet. walked back and
forth across the room, growing whittier and
colder-ber poor, strained eyes, dry and vi.
cant. She tried to put her hands on the ach.
ing place, now on her head. then on her
heart. but twas useless. She listened-look-
ed toward the window. How the wind was
rising the water made such q roar how
the anchored vessels rocked what u noise
the waves made beating against their sides.
and rushing in one after another on the
beach. How the blinds ratified. II sounded
wild and grand outdoors. but what wretch
ed silence within. She thought "It's worse
than death here. I'll try the wind, and the
cool night"
She wrapped shawl about her, tied over
her head light scarf, passed from the house
and yard cautiously, TO the beach, where liz
tie boats were fastened along shore, and their
owners little dreaming that white fingers
were plying the oars in such wind and dark
ness.
She looked up at the bright light shining
from her own window, then across the bay,
to the light-house,-sa in its cleaning, the
rough water, the high tide, the strong cur
rent measured all, in calm, dumb silence |;
then seated herself and turned her white face
toward the sea. The houses, the land, spoke
Of life and pain: but these great foaming
waves, which bore her up and down, farther
and farther from home, nearer and nearer
the ocean, told Of freedom from hateful
forms, which made her smile yhen she was
dying, forced words when she was palsled
with suffering. She sat very still only
moved with the tossing Of the boat. How
grand IL was!
Poor child! Her mother lived in the
"Beautiful City," her father was cold,
proud man, living for gold. No brothers,
no sisters; only a great. stone house, cold
inside and out I; only fashionable friends who
courted assiduously the beautiful Miss Moore;
only calls and parties, dress and gaiety; "on
ly this and nothing more" for she had cheat.
ed her soul Of its good portion, "sold her
birthright," and now she would 90 some.
where. anywhere. The dull pain was undo.
fined, the desire unexpressed, but this cool.
free. fearful place was better than closd,
sitting house.
"Oh, il could pray,-if mother could
sec me, would she not take me away from
this agony? o God! Is this my reward
this? And killed him :"
CHAPTER II.
"And u wandered, scarcely caring whittier
Wind and wave wers hastenlng 10 away.
Lie 'sras pas.ns HS. ss sR.s SS. % II. dsy
"Joseph, Joseph. what has thee got? I've
waited long time breakfast will be cold.
But what ha' thee in thy boat, Josephf 1
was just stepping out to look tor thee. lis
something white. How pale thee is. my son.
What has befallen thee. Joseph, tell mo
if"
another, don't ask now-only be quick.
Get a cot ready-blankets. brandy. Thee
will hurry. III DO hack in one minute"
Joseph ran down to the shore, took in his
arms u form, well wrapped in his big coat,
his red handkerchief tied over the face aud
head, and with few long strides stepped
across the threshold with this strange burden
hanging ever his shoulder, dripping with salt
water and sea.weed. Long, black hair and
q beautiful, pale face was all Joseph's mother
could see at one glance. but she soon forgot
her surprise in her earnest endeavors to re-
store life to the apparently dead woman.
another, 'tis no use. She will never
breathe again"
Still, they worked. listening for the faint.
est heartbeat, watching for the hintest
pulse.
"See. Joseph see! Bless God!'
A little shudder, q quivering gasp-the
long lashes trcmbled and the eyes opened.
Warm, dry clothes; hot, stimulating drinks,
kind care and careful attention restored per-
feet consciousness; and soon the good friends
were repaid for their anxiety and labor by
seeing the "beautiful lady" as Joseph called
his charge, sleeping sweetly on the neat cot
In Amt Ruth's ouiet home as n tired child
on its mothers bosom.
"Now. Joseph, do step INTO the kitchen,
and tell me how thee did 6nd her." Why,
she is some grand lady,-her clothes are 80
enc and nice. rich lace, and such beautiful
pearls on her throat, took them OF; they
were covered with ses,-weed and bits of green
from the water. Everything is marked u.
NJ"
"well. mother, while thee gets my coffee
! ready, I'll tell thee. went, thee knows,
ND the island quite early this morning, think.
ing TO soc Samuel Peters, about the lumber
20 fix the shed. The wind had blown tsrri.
bly all night. xnd beat the shipping about a
GOOD deal, upset some little boats and done
considerable damage along shore. As I row.
cd along looking at tho old pieces Of masts.
and bits of wrecked vessels which thee knows
the storm LEFT last week. just below Samuel 9
house, 1 saw bit Of white, then . hand and
arm, and a wont Close, thcro was woman
drifted in among those pieces Of wood, and .
little skif capsised. to which it seemed che
had been clinging until the wind blew both
into the wrecks. dragged her out - caro
fully as | could, placed her in the bottom OF
~. u l.. III L.