St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-05-24
WOndelful Preservation.

sailor, and had followed the sea until he
was three-score years Of age, when he
bought this spot and built him a house
1t was dangerous part of the coast,
and this was one great reason, he said
why he settled Therefor he meant t.
keep bright light burning in the dark
night, to light his brother tars on theil
way"
Richards family consisted of himself,
wife and two sons, the eldest thirty, and
the youngest twenty-five years of age
'And smart, active boys they are too, u
the old man would say, ''as any abou
these parts
The afternoon of tue day on which
our story opens had been lowry, and the
appearances bespokened Il tempest, Th,
two young men had been absent about
week Oh a fishing cruise. They were
therefore anxiously looked for all the
afternoon by their parents, more espe-
cially as they had then out-stayed theil
usual time of absence. As the dav wore
away, and the appearance of a storm
increased, the mothers fears arose pro-
portionallv. although the father was toe
much of a sailor to be frightened, as he
expressed himself, at IA black cloud.
However, as the day drew near its close
and the wind began to increase, the old
man became uneasy, and his eye was
fuirected oftener than usual, seaward
The sun went down luridIy in the west,
and the large waves began ito heavs il
their teathcry tops. The old man left
the house and proceeded to the shore.
There was 4 smooth, sandy cove. which
made snug little harbor; but save this,
the cape was lined with high, rugged
and shelving rocks Mr. Richards seated
himself on the highest eminence, Br0ul
Stone, it is called, directly on the pitch
of the cape, from whence he could over
look the sea at all points.
Here, as he sat g;,zing off, he would
muiter to himself, " don't ike that
white streak in the east it Is weather
litter, and bodcs no good, and the scud
there in the south locks badly, skimm:ng
over the wafer at such rate. 1t will
be an ugly night this. The plague is in
the boys that they don't come home 3:
they ought to know better than to be
abroad such weather as this :" Time
and again rs the dusk crept on. he would
visit Broad Stone, and throw anxious
chances about, in hopes OF detecting the
appearance of a sail, and then he would
give vent TO his spleen ior abseEting
themselves, in which, however. fear. as
could be easily seen, rather than anger.
was predominant. Darkness settled
down on earth and ocean. still nothing
met the eve oi the anxious watchers but
the dark green waves rolling turbidly to
the shore. with sullen, fearful murmur.
The wind blew turlously, and the rain
came with heavy plash 10 the earth.
As the hour grew late, AMI the heavy
gusts Of wind swept by, and Mr. Rich
ards had been once or twice TO the shore
without any signs of their approach, their
anxiety became too great for silence.
and impassioned prayers We're put up by
the mother for the sons safety: while
the father. in Il voice slightly trembling
tried to comfort her, by saying-''Fcar
not, wife the boys are strong, and i
better boat never swan; they are well
acquainted with the coast besides, God
will have them in His keeping, and will
not leave us childIess in our old age
Cheer up, and put your trust in Him,
at whose biding peace, be STILL the
waves cannot harm"
Ten o'clock came and went bv-the
boys came not. The storm was at It's
height. After walking the room awhile
Mr. Richards asked his wife to prepare
a lantern. Il am going" said he.
in answer to his wite's inquiries, ''to
kindle fire on Broad Stone, if possible.
Keep a good heart, trust in God, and all
will be well ;" 50 saying, he left the
house
1t was but short time before he had
bright fire kindled on the Broad Stone,
which threw its light far on the troubled
waters. pray God the Youngsters may
see it " the old man muttered to him.
self, as he heaped on the brush. He
will not leave me desolate in my old age
Take me, Father Almighty :" dropping
on his knees, and raising his arms on
high, in praytul attiiuds-"take me,
but spare my children take me, who
am nothing worth, a worn out hulk, but
spare the boys to comfort and support
their aged mother :" A hand this mo-
ment was laid on his shoulder, and
trembling voice said hastily-"J james,
James, His will, not ours, be done.
"Wife, how came you here? You
should not be out in this tempest"
'Ilark there it is again; l was sure
| heard it -
Heard what ?" said her husband, in
astonishmcnt.
Hark - listen" said the woman,
pointing her arm seaward
1t was but moment when a bright
flash was seen, and faint report was
borne on the breeze from the seaward.
"They are coming - the boys are
coming, burst together from the aged
pair.
"They see the light" said the wife,
hurrledly; Let us heap on more wood,
James, praise God
/" We have reason to praise Him,
wife, and may He who has protected
them thus far, restore them to us in safe
ty.'
"Ie will-he will" said the agitated
wife, as she heaped large quantity of
brush on the fire.
As the flames shot up in the air and
were curling about in the wind, the old
man and his wife seated themselves to
await the approaching vessel that con-
tanned all that was dear to them. Their
eyes We're strained towards the cove, in