Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-12-08


with more strength than gentleness, though |
with gentle purpose, and Is serambling up |
the rocks He bears the still insensible
form of the mother and as he ascends, his
hat has fallen behind him and is dancing in
an eddy of water over the very spot from
which, an instant before, he had caught his
unconscious burden. The tide now at the
food, has swept like an avalanche over the
nook among the rocks, and the fragments of
the deserted boat are fretting among the
craggy points of that inhospitable shore.
In the cabin of the fisherman. the mother
is soon restored to life. Her first thought
is for her children, whom she embraces
again and again in passion OF joy. She
unclasps a rich necklace from the bosom of
her little daughter Take this gage of my
gratitude, " she exclaims-' accept it as an
earnest, you to whom l owe the life of my
children !"
The fisherman shook his head II could
not make use of such riches,' said he
The products of my labor suffice me. To
you this gold and these jewels will be much
your own use. -
She took the hand of her preserver.
Young and beautiful even in the humble
vestments which the fishers wife had sub
stituted for her rich but drabbed clothing
her air was full of majesty. Thank you"
she cried, thank you You are right. The
service you rendered cannot lie repaid with
gold, and God, | trust, will put it in my
power to testify my gratitude in manner
worthy of yoa"
''Y our safety will be our recompence, and
we desire no other." said the fisher, and
the honest face of bis wife, lighted with
placid joy, bore testimony that she joined in
the sentiment
Tell me, my friends" the lady asked,
after pause, ''on what coast has this mis-
| fortune thrown US p
''On that of Denmark"
| The mother wrung her hands in despair
Denmark? then are my children sta lost,
though they have survived the perils of the
ocean"
''While Finn and his wife live," said
the fisherman. in an effort to console their
unfortunate guest, you have nothing to
fear, madam, for yourself or your chill
! dren
''But you know not my friends, that q
price is on my head and those of my chill
dren. We were flying from the soil Of Den
mark, VIXEN the storm forced US back upor
1t. lam"
Keep your secret-do not tell it to me :
cried the fisherman, abruptly checking the
revelation she was about TO make. "All
have need to know is, that you came here
in distress, and that you are in worse dis
tress while you remain. The storm will soor
abate-the coast Of the Low Countries Is 10
far distant tomorrow, perhaps this very
evening, I will conduct you in safety frou
this kingdom, to a place where the persecu
ton of your enemies, whoever they are
shall not reach you. Snatch some repo-e
meanwhile, and confde in my hospitality"
The good bat humble couple hastcned tt
prepare near the hearth, 4 pallet of straw
upon which the beautiful unknown did moi
hesitate an instant t. place herself with hel
children. With an sarm around each, sh,
was in moment wrapped in sleep. Tx
good man Finn stood breathlessly attentive
when his guest clasped her children convul
siveiy a moment - aud struggled, almos
from the bed to the hoor Then "a chang,
came o er the spirit of her dream '-au elo
quent expression Of joy passed over her pal,
features-her lips moved in earnest thanks
giving, and her countenance settled int
placid and smiling repose betokening th'
conciousness of safety. The fisher and hi
wife convcrsed with quick and intelligen
glances over their sleeping guest. The!
both knew that she had passed through he
perils in that vision; they both felt happy
and thankful for the calm slumber whicl
spoke so well the sense of safety.
In this calm rest she passed many hours
At length her slumber was disturbed By
coarse voices outside the hut-they were
roughly interrogatiug the fisher. The ques
tions she needed not to hear distinctly to un
! derstand-the answer of Finn she did catch
for it was spoken for her ears as well for the
soldiers who had visited tha cabin ~
"a hundred pieces Of gold - cried the
fisher - truly, captain, sum Ike that
would be worth striving for. Be assured
will take good care of the ruuaways if they
fall into my hands. ! han dred pieces ot
gold! Not soul shall escape shipwreck,
from this forth for twelyemonth, that l
will not bring to yoar quarters. A hundred
pieces of gold But, captain, added Finn,
with the characteristic GOODNESS of Danish
peasant-''But captain, will you not enter
my humble cottage moment, Tor repOse
and refreshment?
The mother shuddered, lest the invitation
| given in bravado, might be accepted in earn
est, and then-she was a mother, and the
/ lives Of the children were at stake-for an in
slant she trembled at the possibility that
her host might intend to betray her. The
voice of the captain as he declined the prof
fered civility, and renewed his promise to
the fisherman, reassured her. as its torres
died away in the distance. In a moment
more Finn entered the cabin.