The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-31

and lovely flower in her frolio wandetings. |
The unbroken and almost super. natural
tranquility of the day lasted until moor.
Then, for the first time, indications Of an
approaching tempest were manifest. Over
the summit Of a mountain, OF the distance
Of about mile, the folds of large cloud
became suddenly visible, and at the same
instant a hollow roar came down on the
winds as if II had been the sound Of waves
in rocky cavern. The clouds rolled on
like a banner uniolded upon the cir, but
still the atmosphere was as calm and the
waves as mOtionless ss before, and there
was not even culver upon the sleeping
waters TO tell of the hurricane. The tenn
pest was inevitable. AS the only resort
we fled TO mighty oak that stood at the
foot Of the precipice. Here we remained
and gazed breathlessly upon the clouds
marshaing themselves like bloody giants
in the sky. The thunder was not frequent,
but every burst was SO fearful that the
young creature who stood beside me shut
her eyes convulsively, chung with desper-
ate strength to my arm, shrieked as if her
heart would break. In few minutes the
storm was upon us. During the height of
its fury, the little girl lifted fingers towards
the precipice that lowered over Il look
ed and saw an amethysine.peal, the next
moment the clouds opened and the noun
tain tottered to its foundation; roar like
the groan Of the universe filled the air, and
felt myself blinded and thrown l knew
not WHITTIER.
E How long remained insensible / cannot
: tell; but, when consciousness returned, the
violence of the tempest was abating, the
roaring of winds was dying. on the tree
/. tops, and the deep tones Of the thunder
cloud came IN fainting murnurs from the
eastern hills. l rose and looked tremblingly
and almost delirously around. She wa.
there, the dear idol of my infant love
stretched out on the earth. After momen
Of irresoutiOn, went up and looked upoI
her. The handkerchief upon her neck wal
y slightly rent A single rent, and q sipgl,
dark spot upon her bosom, told where tn,
pathway Of death had been.
At first clasped her to my breast with
cry Of agony, and then laid her down ant
s. gazed upon her face with almost feelings o
calmness. Her bright dsheveled ringlet
clustered around her brow; the look o
terror had faded from her lips, and infan
smiles were pictured there the red ros
tinge upon her cheek was lovely as in life
and pressed it to my own; the fountain
of tears were opened and wept as if m
heart was water. have but dim recol
lection of what follows; l know that
l. remained weeping and motonless till tn
? coming twilight, and was taken tenderl
g by the hand and led away where saw tn
', countenances of parents and sisters.
;. Many years have gone by on the wing
is Of light and shadows bat the scene l hay
portrayed still comes over me with terribI
3. diStinctness. The oak yet stands at III
n base of the precipice, but its limbs ar
ot black and dead, and the hollow trunk look
ID upward to the sky--as if calling to Il
Is clouds for drink--as an emblem of deca,
ID One year ago visited the spot, and II
IN thoughts of bygone years came mournfull
W 10 me. thought Of the little innocent beir
in who fell by my side like some beautif,
lie tree of spring, rent up by the whirIwnd
is the midst of its blossoming. But remen
10 bered-and oh there was joy in Il
IN memory-that she had gone where I
Y, lightnings slumber in the rainbow cloud
W and where the sunlight waters are broke
TT only by the storm breath of Omnipotenc
My readers will understand why | shrir
an in terror from thunder. Even the col
of seriousness Of security is no relief to me.
he my fears have assumed the nature Of
n instinct, and seem indeed part of n
ge existence.