Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1871-11-17
Gclcttco HlisleIlanp.
THE TEMPEST.
ny GEORGE b. PRENTICE.

| ] was never man Of feeble courage. There
are few sccLcs Of either human or elementary
stcie upon which have not looked with u
brow Of daring. have stood in front Of bat-
tie, when swords were cleaning and tircling
around like fiery serpents Of the nir--l have
sat on the mountain pinnacle, when the whirl-
wind wns rendiug its oaks from rock cleits
aud scattering them piecemeal to The clouds.
have seen these things with swelling soul
tlint rocked not Of dangcr--but there Is some
Thing in the lhundcr's voice that makes ne
tremble like child have tried to overcome
this unmanlv weakness have called pride to
my add have sought for moral courage 10
the lessons Of philosophy it ayails me
nolhing--at the first low moaning Of the dis
lant cloud my heart sinks and dies within me.
Ny involuntary dread Of thunder. has its or
ign in au incident that occurred when was Il
Child Of ten years. ! had little cousiG--a
girl Of the s1nc age Of myself, who had been
The constant companion Of my childhood. =
Strange that after the lapse Of a score Of years,
that coGutenance is SO familiar 70 me, ! can
see the bright, young crcaurc--her large eyes
eashin9 like n beautiful gem, her free locks
streaming as in joy upon the rising gale, and
her check glowing like ruby thrO' n wreath
of transparent snow Her voice had the melody
and iocousncss ola bird 3, and when she b0un-
ded over wooded hill or the fresh green valley,
u
lure aud casping her little hands III tho very
ccstacy Of Dung existence, she looked as if
breaking away like freed nightingale from
The earth and going of where all things were
beautiful and happy like her
II was morning in the middle Of August.
The little girl bad been passing come days nj
my fathers house, and she WAS now 10 return
home Her path lay across the fields, aud !
gladly became the companion Of her walk.
never knew a summer morning more beautiful
and still Only one little cloud was visible,
and that seemed as pure and white, and peace
ful as fit had been the incense from burn
ing censor of the skies The leaves hung si-
lent in the woods, Tie waters Of Tie bay had
forgotten their uDdnlaiions. the flowers we're
bending their heads MS ifdrcamina Of the rain
bow, aud the whole atmosphere was Of such
soft and luxuriant sweetness, that II seemed
cloud Of roses scattered down BY the hands Of
a Peri, from The far.oT gardens Of Paradise
The green carih aud blue sea wcse abroad in
tbeir bonndessncss. and The peaceful sky bent
over and blessedthen. The liiile creature at my
side was In delirium 81 happiness, aud her
clear sweet voice came ringing upon The air as
often ~ she heard the tones Of lavOriie bird,
or found some strange or lovely Hover in her
ffolc wanderings. The unbrokeE an,l almost
supernatural tranqnillity Of the day continued
until nearly noon. Then, for the FIRST time,
he Indications ofan approaching tempest were
manifest. Over the summit Of a mountain alta
distance Of about mile, the folds of dark
cloud became suddenly visible aud At the same
instant hollow roar came down upon The
winds. rs If il were the sound Of waves IN the
rocky cavern. The cloud unroled like ban-
ncr-fold UPON the air, but still the atmosphere