Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-11-17

boat. Presently a great, green wave
came curling along, and dashing against
the boat side, wetted both to the skin.
1t reused Joe from his stupor, it reused
johnny from his insensibility; in an
other moment they were in one anoth-
er's arms. Still the wind freshened,
still the waves rose higher and higher,
those two clasped in that firm embrace
needed them not, for the mercy of God
was in their hearts, and the storm and
tempest had no fear for them.
1t blew a gale that night and morn
ing, and a large vessel went ashore on
Yarmouth sands, but no lives were lost.
The wives of the fishermen lay sleepless
and uneasy in their beds, for their good
men were out on the angry sea, earning
bread for them and the children. The
hoarse voice of the wind and the angry
roar of the waves sent thrill to their
hearts as they heard them, and many a
prayer stole up through the black sky
and gained The ear of the Unseen
When the morning sun broke bravely
Though the drifting clouds there was a
heartfelt shout Of thanksgiving to see
the toilers of the night come safely into
harbor. Huge were the breakfasts eat
en-, sound was the sleep that followed,
for it had been hard battle between
man and the elements. -..-..... -.
Later in the day a knot of men were
, louuging on the shore. "Where's The
Saucy Jack ?" asked one. "Ain't Joe
Barton turned up yet p said another.
While old Murtoch, the patriarch of
the group, mumbled out. "She amt
drawed up, she amt at anchor; Pm
blessed if don't think she's gone down
head first" This inaugurated a con-
versation about Joe, and various and
singular we're the reasons given for his
continued absence. While they were
engaged in this discussion, man, bare
headed and breathless, rushed frantical.
ly down over the pebbles, bis face pale
as death, his eyes almost starting out of
his head. When he reached the group
he stopped and remained speechless
..Hullo, Silus, what's wrong lad? in
quired one. You look daaed, man, :"
said another 2ars -.r LID s.-i.. r..
"The Bank" he whispered hoarsely.
"Well, what of the bank ?' asked
old Murtoch, impatiently.
'It's broke,' he gasped, and then,
without vouchsaGng any further inform
alton, rushed away as quickly as be
had come. The news he brought fell
| like thunder bolt in the midst of those
to whom he told it; they seemed stun
ned for moment. and then fastened
up to the town to find if he had spoken
the truth
Alas !! it was but too true, the Coun-
ty Bank, being unable to meet run
upon its resources on the previous day
at the chiet market town where its head
office was, had been compelled to stop
payment, and close all its branch estab-
lshments Considerable assets, howev-
er, were expected, the number of share
holders being amply sufficient to cover
all liabilities. 1t was sometime before
the Yarmouth fishermen could be made
to understand that, if they were only
patient, they would have nearly all their
money back. They stood in. a body
outside the Bank door till the darkness
took them home worn out and sad at
heart to bed. There went out no boats
that night from Yarmouth to fish
The morning following the day on
which the Yarmouth bank had stopped
boat was seen some distance out max
ing its way for the shore as well as it
could with broken mast and a ragged
sail. All eyes were strained toward it.
Whose could it be? Where was it com.
ing from? Old Murtoch, shading his
eyes with his hand, gazing silently out
over the watery space. Then in mo
ment he dropped his arm exclaiming,
"Well, bless my heart, if it ain't The
Saucy Jack, with Joe and the kid
aboard" Immense was the astonish-
ment; some said sit couldn't be-" but
by and by, sure enough, she glided in
past the1 ier- head, Joe at the tiller and
Johnny making himself useful in haul
ing in the sails. They both looked pale
and weary, but the shout of welcome,
with which they we're received, lit up
their faces pleasantly. When The
Saucy Jack had been made fast, Joe
aud his boy came ashore. All were
eager to tell him the news, but none
liked to, for it was we'll known that be
was a large shareholder in the bank.
But he seemed to understand their
whispering, and taking Johnny's hand,
he merely said quietly, II know all
about it. It's been and ruined me,
but that's neither here nor there" and
then moved off toward home. But ere
he had gone many steps he took John
ny up in his arms, crutch and all, aud
carried him home and up to his bed in
his own tiny room. He would not un-
dress him, for already was the poor lit
tie man in a heavy slumber, but laying
him down tenderly on the outside of the
counterpane, that great, strong man fell
on his knees, and with bis face resting
on the hands of his sleeping child, thus
remained for long, long time What
he thought, what he prayed, what
thanksgivings burst from his very soul
only the book wherein his life is writ
ten can reveal 1t was one of those
times in the existence of a. man when
the days that are gone are lived over
again, and the lessons they have taught
are appreciated. Then the clouds roll
back, the dawn breaks with promise of
G. -ookbo. on1 L. u.- ,r