Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-15

is thrown away in giving it TO one who
appears as wretched and needy as that
old woman. | wonder, though, what she
could mean by those strange words that
she repested2"
ut is only some senseless rhyme she
has picked up to excite peoples curios-
ity," replied Lady Anna.
But l have heard her use them be-
fore" replied Robbie.
"What did she 49, his mother began,
with a look and tone of surprise, but
quickly checked herself, and added, " l
hope you will not listen to such idle
words, my son. Those wandering
wretches never bring good with them to
anycne-remember that, and shun them
when you can" T
II was thus the subject was dismissed,
though in truth the mothers curiosity
was 80 strongly aroused by those strange
heard before, that she could scarcely re-
frain from questioning him about the
circumstances under which the old
beggar-woman had used them. But the
topic was not an agreeable one to her,
and it is more than probable, as sub
sequent events suggested. that she had
some reason, only known to herself, for
wishing to avoid any further remark on
the subject.
On another occasion, months before
this, when in company with little Mary
on the beach, Robin had encoun-
tered this same old woman, and the
words Of the blessing which she bestowed
on the two, when be gave her what little
money he had, hai ever since rung in
his ear, and made him glad to bestow
charity upon her, feeling that it could
not be wrong
Not long after noon, on that still and
beautiful day in early summer, dark
mass of clouds suddenly overspread the
sky, heralding the approach of storm.
The change was so rapid and so COM
plete as to come upon all by surprise.
Few had noted the threatening indica-
tions until the gale was already upon
them, in all its might.
A great volume of dark, misty vapor
rolled in from the sea, driven rapidly be-
fore strong wind, that seemed to rise
out of the midst Of dead calm. The
light Of the sun was thickly veiled, and
the heavens became at once as dark al
most as night
Immediately thereafter torrents of rain
began to descend, deluging the earth
with water, and the storm had soon in
creased to its EXTREMIST violence. Down
from the Chatham Hills, by every valley
and gorge, mad torrents rushed foaming
and boiling, augmented as they descend
ed, by thousand upland rills at every
turn, until, debauching upon the plateau
of the little hamlet, they united and
plunged on to the sea ia floods Of ire
sistible power.
Fierce lightnings, like lurid tongues OF
fire, dsrted necessarily from the low
hanging clouds, attracted TO every object
that stood prominent, and the deafening
roar of deep-toned thunders was oRly
varied by those stunning crashes that
told where fell, on every hand, the de-
structive bolt.
Out toward the sea nothing met the
eye but one black, impenetrsble wall of
cloud and mist and spray, driven inland
in mountainous pillows before the in
creasing gale. Yet from out beyond the
rocky sea-wall swelled the roar of angry
waves, rolling in around the island pro-
and dashiug in pieces on the
cliff. ~
And SO the hours wore away. Late in
The afternoon the storm had somewhat
abated its violence. The rain had ceased
10 fall, and the muttering thunders we're
heard echoing from cloud and far hill
.op and dying away in the distance. Still
he gale continued to blow with undimin-
shed furN and unbroken masses of dark
Itorm clouds drifted above the troubled
'urfsce of the sea, and Tapped thin Va
,ory folds around the towering hill-tops,
Ihutting them in from view.
Lady Anna, with one or two of her
,ussts, stood in a sheltered part of rear
Terandsh, or open corridor, which over
ooke2 the channel, with the island and
stretch of open sea beyond. They
we're endeRvoring to catch q glimpse
through the briefly parted vapors Of the
,ngry, foaming billows, whose sullen
'oice could be heard above the roaring
'f the blast.
What fearful tempestl" exclaimed
lady Anna, shuddering as the wind
hrieked around the angles of the old
mansion.
Gay. indeed, my lady !" said another.
And have sore concern for those who
ave been overtaken,by it on the sea. II
ame so suddenly that vessel might be
estroyed before it could be made ready
o stand the gale"
At that moment Lady Anna caught
ight Of the old gAme-keeper, who was
Gaming against pillar in the open court
elow, gazing 6xedly and anxiously
oward the sea. As the last words we're
eing uttered, be turned his face eau
ously toward his mistress, and she saw
nth surprise that it was pale, aud wore
n eager, troubled look. She saw, more
yer, that he sought 10 avoid her gage,
nd il alarmed her.
rJohn, she said firmly, yet with tone
{ deep anxiety. John, what is it3
peak What is there wrong p
"I-oh. there nsething wrong that /
LAY foreteli, nv Leddy," the old servant
eplied, hesitatingly." "0n'y there be
noh danger over yond' at sea-"
Where is Robbieg' the mistress
sked, still unsatisfied in mind.
The old man looked up with an air Of