Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-04-03
MARTIN THE FISHERMAN.


Martin and his poor, but happy little fami-
ly lived right down beside the river Rhine.
The village was further beck ia the country.
but the hshermau's cottage was close to the
water so that he would be near his nets. The
vines grew up around it, and its walls were
Of spotless white. .r
Happiness dwelt there. Their possession
were small--only COW and two goats but
king upon bis throne was not more contented
than they were.
One beautiful evening, after Martin had set
his nets, and returned home in his little boat
the family sat out Of doors, OH the long wood.
en- bench, and looking a, the setting sun
The air was pleasant, and beautiful sail boats
gliding down the rapid river. Martin wife
commenced lively song; then all the fami-
ly Joined in. The sailors on the boats and
RATS that were passing up and down the riv-
er caught up the strain, and the whole coun-
try around was vocal with the grand concert.
By and by the fsherman's family COM
menced to talk about the old Duke, who
lived in large UNCOVERED house great
way otf--they could not tell how for.
I" / wonder If we will ever get back the
eighteen thousand dollars that my poor faith
er loaned him p said Susan, Martins wife.
"lndeed, should be afraid to make the
request" replied the humble fisherman, al
suppose he would have me put in prison."
Never mind, never mind, Martini she
continued. ave have lived ten years with
out it now, and think we can still get along
by our own labor. But there have been 50
few fish lately that am beginning to tremble
for our bread"
"Come, Susan; brush away your tears
for she had begun to weep.]. Times will
soon he better with US" answered Martin.
After their evening prayers were offered
they all went to Sleep
And nobody in all this world ever slept
sweeter than did that fisherman his wife, and
the three little peasant children.
About two o'clock in the morning Martin
was started out of his heavy dreams.
"What is the matter2 Am asleep OF
awake am in my boat. or in my house 2
He screamed out at the top OF his voice
awake upl wake up! or we shall all be
drownedl" m.
"What Is the trouble 2" cried out poor
frightened Susan.
"The water the waterl There is .
freshet tonight! Look at the water stream
ing through the door and in the windows =
See it is coming up through the floor -
Wake up the children, dress them as quick
as you can, and will gv out and get lhe
boat, If 1t is not already too late. The wa.
ter is knee.keep here in our house; am
afraid we shall all be drowned II
"We are lost we are lost ~ cried Susan
Soon Martin was out in search of his boat
Happily for him, he found 1t just as the fresh.
ct was about taking it away from the stake
to which it was tied. He pulled it along
after him, as he waded almost mp TO his wais
in the rising water, back to his little cottage
There was but little time for Susan /,
dress her little children; and after she hat
done it she was very doubtful about any O
them getting of safe. Then she caught ul
some Of her valuable things, and tying then
in bundle, said "Now, my dear it'll
ones, this is all can save. You see we ar,
going out into the world without dollar
The chairs, and boxes and brooms, an,
shoes, and many other things, were Hoatin,
about the room.
''Hurry, Susani" cried Martin as loud a
he could. "Bring the children here to tn
window, give them to me just as quick us yo
can don't wait for anything; we may be los
anyhow Hurry, hurry! here's the boat at th
window; every moment is worth fortune |
Crash crash Ii was tree that hat
been washed away and had come floatin
down against the fisherman's cottage.
shook from floor to roof and 1t is wonde
that the terrific blow, together with the rush
ing water, did not carry it of.
| ,l(nat IN pnu Sucan na 81,
now; 1t is as much as can do to keep th
boat steady"
Susan and the children were now in tb
boat, which was tossing about like littl
chip.
"Thank God, we are all spared p both MAJ
tin and his wife exclaimed. "Bnt all ou
little property is lost yet God will provid
for all our wants. Economy and persevel
ance will supply all our necessities"
Just as Martin was about TO loose Ii
rope and let the boat down with the currer
his wife began to sob and cry as if her hea
would break.
"What is the matter 2" asked the fishe
man. "Has one Of the children fallen owe
board y
"Oh no but my Bible 1t was m
fathers last gift to me, and shall never |
happy without itl'
"You shall have ii If risk my life to g
it. Where is it2 Oh, know; it is on IL
shelf just over the door,
Martin had no sooner said these worf
than he jumped through the window, got Il
old Bible, stuffed il into the little boat
"Now am happy" said Susan. Ever!
thing else may go. My fathers old Bibl,-
why | wouldn't take the world for itr'
The boat was united, and began to &
/ down the river with the tide. Martin trit
to row toward the bank, and after drittiu
down two miles, he siicce sded in reachin
the land, just alongside little hotel.
q snow we are safe, thank God + he sal
mot one Of us is lost. Let us go into tn
little hotel, and may be the landlord will we
come us, though We are penniless."
He was right.
"Come in, my good friends" said the oil
gray-headed, landlord. 'These are awii
q times. know you, Martin, for | hay
bought fish from you hundreds of times
You are an honest man, aud shall have Il
best in my house for yourself and family
. Come in. will see that you have dry cloth'
and comfortable room aud some bread an
( coffee
f 1t was about dsybrealS, or little after tb
, Martin went upon the top Of the hous'
where quite a number Of people we've watcl
Ing n man about mile down the river, G
the other side. He was on the top of b
large castle, waving little white fag
: sign of distress He was afraid he would
: carried of by the food, and it really d
seem as il he was lost The river was bea
ing up against the castle walls-soon thu
!, must give way.
h "Ahl fear Baron Wilmer is lost, Sd
! the good. hearted old landlord. T" Il is no u
to try to get to him to save him. He will
q carried away before any one could get
4 him; and besides, no one is strong enough
. row across the river. Who would think