The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-01-26

nGnuln9 thclr neauS as III dreaming oil INC
rainbow and dew, and the atmosphere was
such soft and luxurious sweetness that
it seemed a cloud of roses scattered down
By the hand of Peri, from the far off
garden of Paradise. The green earth aud
blue waters lay abroad in their boundless-
ness, and the peaceful sky hung over them.
The little creature at my side was in a
delirium of happiness, apd her sweet voice
came ringing out upon the air as often as
she heard the note of some favoritc bird or
found some strange and lovely flower in
her frolic wanderings. The unbroken
and almost supernatural tranquility of the
day lasted until noon. Then, for the
first time, indications of an approaching
tempest were manifest. Over the summit
of mountain, at the distance Of about a
mile, the folds of Il large cloud became
suddenly visible, and at the same instant
a hollow roar came down on the winds as
if it had been the sound of waves in u
rocky cavern. The clouds rolled on like
a banner unfolded upon the air, but still
the atmosphere was as calm aud the waves
as motohless as before, and there was not
even qniver upon the sleeping waters
to tell Of the hurricane. The tempest was
inevitable. As the only resort, we fled to
a mighty oak that stood at the foot of the
precipicc Here we remained and gazed
brea'hlessly upon the clouds marshaling
themselves like bloody giants in the sky.
The thunder was not frequent, but every
burst was so fearful that the young crea-
ture who stood beside me, shut her eyes
convulsively, clung with desperate strength
to my arm, shrieked as if her heart would
break. In few minutes the storm was
upon US. During the hoisht Of its fury,
the little girl lifted her fingers toward the
precipice that lowered over us-I locked
and saw an amethy stine peak the next mo-
ment the clouds opened aud the mountain
t5ttered to its foundation a roar like the
groan Of the universe filled the air, and [
felt myself blinded and thrown | knew
not whittier.
How long I remained insensible [ can
not tell but when consciousness return
ed, the violence of the tempest was aba.
ting, the roaring of winds was dying on
the tree-tops, and the deep toaes Of the
thunder-cloud came in fainting murmurs
from the eastern hills | rose and looked
tremblingly and almost deliriousIy around
She was there, the dear idol OF my infant
love stretched out on the earth After
moment of irresolution, went upand look
ed upon her. The handkerchief upon her
neck was slightly rent. A single rent,
and single dark spot upon her bosom,
told where the pathway of death had
been.
AT first | claspcd her to my breast with
a cry Of agony, and then laid her down
and gazed upon her face with almost feel
ines OF cslmness, Her bright disheveled
ringlets clustered around her brow; the
look of terror had faded from her lips, and
infant smiles were pictured there; the
red rose tinge upon her cheek was irgely
as in life, and | pressed ii to niy own;
the fountains Of tears were opened, aud |
wept as if 10y heart was water. | have
but dim recollection Of what follows |
know that remained weeping motionless
till the coming twilight, and l was taken
tenderly by the hand and led away where
saw the countenance of parents and sis
tcrs.
Many years have gone by on tho wings
of light and shadows, but the scene have
portrayed still comes over me with IL terri
BILE distinctness. The oak yet stands at
the base of the precipce, but its limbs are
black and dead, and the hollow trunk
looks upward to the sky--as if calling to
the clouds for drink-as an emblem of de-
cay.
One year ago visited the spot, aud
the thoughts Of bygone years came mourn
fully to me. | thought of the little inno-
cent being who fell by my side like some
beautiful tree of spring, rent up by the
whirlwind in the midst Of b!9sso,aing.-
But remembercd--and oh :! there WAS joy
iii the memory-that she had gone where
no ighniucs slumbcr in the rainbow
cloud, and where the sunlight waters are
broken only by the storm breath Of Oni-
impotence.
My readers will understand why | shrink
in terror from thunder. Even the cor
seriousness Of security is no relief to me
my fears have assumed the nature OF an
instinct, and secm indeed part Of my ex-
istencc.-- George ID. PrCnttcc.