Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-07-12

roper shouted he. -S]s4- sai a9 Cd
In an instant it was lowered down
swayed to and fro by the wind
John was not long in possessing him.
self of it; but what was the old mans
horror when he saw his son cast off
his jacket and grasping the end of the
rope walk to the edge of the shelf as
if to jump into the waters that foamed
at his feet. a a.r
"What is he doing? He is leaping
into the sea! Merciful Parent! Boy,
boy, will you leave me childless in
my old age?' shouted the old man, in
a voice hoarse with emotion, as he
saw his son dive into the sea. He
stood transixed with horror. In a
few minutes, however, John appeared
on the shelf, and made signs for those
above to pull the rope. The old man
commenced, giving directions to his
wife to watch the motions of john
He soon made signs to stop hauling,
and then was seen to lift the apparent
ly lifeless body of his brother on the
shelf. After examining the rope he
made signs for them to hoist again.
1t was sight to witness the old man,
by the uncertain light of the fire, the
rain beating upon his gray head,
straining himself to raise the corpse
of his own son from the dark depths
below-and when the body was rails
ed to the top of the cliff, to see the
aged mother clasp it in her arms, and
hear her voice, thick with agony:
Samuel, my son, would to God |
could have died for your the wind
and the rain the while beating upon
her uncovered head, and flinging her
gray and tangled tresses into the
air.
The old mans attention was then
directed towards rescuing his other
son, who was in imminent danger, as
the tide was setting in, and ere long
would probably wash him of, the
force OF the wind having raised it to
more than its usual height. He made
fast the rope to neighboring tree aud
bending over the cliff, gave directions
to his son to avoid the sharp rocks
that jutted out, as he attempted the
perilouS ascent, steadyiEg the rope
and encouraging him the whiley
Father, your hand" said John,
breathing thickly, lifting his arms to
the edge of the cliff, well nigh exhaust
ed.
At he moment that he uttered
these words, the rope, which had worn
against the sharp rocks, parted, leay-
ing him dangling over the horrid
depth below, holding by one hand
to the edge of the cliff aud by the
other to the tired arm of his father.
wife! wife p shouted the old man
in voice hoarse with agony, "leaye
the Geau and ottv..I % tLv I;-;nryn -
His wife was so absorbed in grief she
paid no attention. "Woman," shouted
he, in a voice Of despair, "will We sac
rifce the living to the dead Will
you see your frst-born perish p
= Quickly, quickly, for my strength
fails y
"What would We, husband ?" said
she, starting up; and seeing the Situa
ton of her husband, stretched on the
ground at full length, holding one
arm of her son, she sprang forward
and bending down, grasped the other
hand, and with almost superhunar
strength, by one effort raised her sol
: to the top of the cliff, and then sank
beside him, with no more strength
than child.
She soon recovered, and the excite
ment of the moment being over, theil
4 attention was directed to the younger
!. son who lay stretcted out on the
4 ground without sense or motion, ex
? hibiting a pale and ghastly face, a;
' the light from the fast expiring frC
: would occasionally flash across it.
4 "Is he dead, father ?'' asked John
as he gazed wildly in his face. 81
r was an ugly blow the main boom gay,
: him as we struck"
"Heaven be praisedw said thu
e father, "that we have one left-anC
0 thankful | am that the waters did no
devour him. Wife, let US be comfort
t ed that his grave will be on the land
n and that he was not fated to float il
l. the cold caverns of the deep.
l. "Father mother" said John, VIII
f had bent beside his brother, "he lives
), | feel his heart beat p
e And truly enough it did beat wit
e, returning life, and by midnight the
3 were all gathered, happy group, i
y the front room of the little cottage
congratulating each other, and thank
Y ing Godfor their safety.
e
f Where stood the humble cottag
g OF John Richards brilliant ligl
le house now stands, and it is the "bes
light on the coast; old John Richard
s, is the keeper of it. Visit him and h
At will tell you the story I have n
n, lated, far better than have done, an
TO will show you the graves of his fathe
and mother, and will tell you how h
~ and Sam worked for them and mad
d. them comfortable; how after the
De were dead Sam went to sea, and foun'
III after all, "grave in the cold cavern
7e of the deep;" and that he never light
Or the lamps of the light house withot
thinking how anxiously he watche
d, the fire kindled by his father on tt
ID Broad Stone" in the night of the ter
pest, when he was off in the boa
tumbled about by the waves and ho
he upon the dark and angry waters