The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-06-22
VOL. s..
THE SIGNAL GUN.

that .IIlfS out TO the westward OF SOllICS-
borough bay, upon the rugged coast ct
the north, there use to stand-and IN all
probability it stands there yet-a small
cot, which in the winter of 1850, and for
many years previous to that time, was
occupied by the old weather-beaten son
| of the ocean, appropriately named James
Storms, who retired from actual service
somewhere about ten years previous to
the above mentioned period, and who
now carried ON various operations OF
fishing, boat building, sail-making, etc.
The old mans wife was still among the
living and she, together with her hus-
band and one daughter, q fair girl OF
nineteen, possessed the unbOunded love
and confidence of all who ever CHANGED
to form an acquaintance with the in
mates of the humble cot.
1t was on the evening of the 31st OF
| December, 1856, the last day of the year.
! The old man had returned from his
boat-house, whittier he had been to close
the place more securely against the drlv-
ing storm and shaking the white fleece
from his thick pea jacket, he hung it
upon peg near the Fireplace, and then
drew up to the blazing fire. H..
| All - exclaimed old Storms, with a
shudder, as herubbed his half -benumbed
hands, this is hard night for the end
of the old year. The Lord have mercy
upon any who may chance to be ON our
cOastt ..
"Amen!" fervently calculated his
wife, as she drew her chair nearer the
fire. Come, Hannah" she continued,
turning to her daughter, " let's have our
cheer for the daWning of the new year:
You know we hold our watch tonight"
Yes, mother" returned the girl, our
supper will be ready in good time.
''Ffs but 8 o'clock YETI
/" Well,n said the old man, let's haye
our supper now, for | feel as though /
needed it,
In obedience to her fathers wish, Han
nah set about the work, and ere long
the table was covered, and all prepared
for the evening meal. But once a year
i as this but for six years past they had
made q practice Of Watching the exit of
the old and the advent of the new year,
4 and on such occasions they had pos
poned their meal further into the night.
At the head of the table sat the old wo-
man. at her right hand sat her husband.
while at her left sat her daughter. At
the opposite end of the table was set a
i plate, and an empty chair, ON the back
of which was tied a narrow piece of
black Grape.
/ For several moments after they had
taken their seats at the Wen-flled
board, not a word was spoken, but all
eyes were turned mouTnfully upon that
empty chair. At length the old man
/ opened his trembling lips, and uttered,
in a broken tone >" 'Tis six years since
our poor boy was lost. Six nights have
4 we watched the old year out, and his
chair has stood empty before us. All
Robert, so long as your old father and
mother live, no one shall fill that seat
that once was yours y
Thiclxly flowing tears checked the old
Il mans utteranee, and, drawing the back
of his hand across his eyes, he leaned
forward upon the table and Wept. The
mother and daughter Wept also and
though their lips gave not utterance to
words, yet for the boy that was gone
for the laughing, joyous, affect0nate
1 Robert of other days-they sent forth
prayers as warm and true as ever went
mp from the hearts of earth. Their New
4 Years dawn was a scene of sorrow and
mourning but still they sorrOWed not
in vain for their hearts were softened
by the tTihulation, and their souls were
purified by the tide of afflictiOn that
J had thus rolled in upon them. To their
humble home, Robert had, in former
years, been the sunlight and Joy. He
!, had been an affectionate and dtltiful
son, and kind and loving brother
3 and when they first learned of his death
, in the Indian ocean, a dark cloud settled
down over their household, which even
the suns and frosts of six years had not
been able to dispel.
Ten minutes, perhaps, had they sat ii
comparative silence at the table !; tllt
storm ragged without in all its fury, ever
C4EnssAA HRlnpA
some chink or erevice which art had not
completely guarded, anu the hailstones
as they ratified ceasIessiy against the
windows, threatened to force an en-.
!, trance to the dwelling. The old mar
had gradually composed himself from
the effects of his first outburstof grief OF
4 seeing that empty chair, and, wiping hi
! eyes with his handkerchief, he folded
his hands upon the table, and raising
his fuTroWed brow toward heaven, ht
was about to offer his humble petition
to the throne of grace. Not ahalf doze1
words had he uttered, when he started
EQp from his chair, and placed his han6
to his ear.
Ha n he exclaimed, as he bent hiG
ear toward the door did you not hea,
! that gun, Hannah ~
Yes, father
There it goes again p cried Storms
! as the dull report Of q distant signal gun
came breaking through the roar of ths
hoWling tempest.
There's danger on our coast. Ge
my lantern, Hannah, and you, wife
bring my tar kettle from the porch. I'm
!. afraid shall never be able to light ti1t
signal on the cliff but, at all events, III
try
IN few moments the old man wa
muiE1ed mp for the duty he had on hand
and, with the kettle in one hand anl
: the lantern in the other, he issued forth
. The storm was indeed terrific but Yitl
, IA noble purpose the sturdy old coast
man breasted its fury, and made his wa
as fast as possible up to the top Of nj
! overhanging elf, which reared above6h,
!, storm dashed breakers below.
On the cli1f was erected a rude struc
! tuTe, the work of his own hands, Whicl
had been expressly formed for the Dur
pose OF enabling him to light his sigma
\ when the wind was too fierce without
and into this he at once made his vi az
! The furious blast had torn the r0ylgl
] door from its leatheFn hinges, but witt
! an old piece of sail which happened t,
lie rolled up in one corner, he manages
Y So 10 protect the entrance that he wa
enabled to set fire to the tar and, as h
/; added q considerable quantity Of spirit
! of turpentine, the bright fame shot uI
\ like a fash the moment lit came In con
I tact with the IRE. In few minutes th
blazing mass was removed to the bI0y
!. of the cliff. and though the h0wlin;
, wind and driving hail seemed to threat
EN- instant annihi hilation To the old man
] signal, vet it faFed forth brillian
] light. and the reports of three guns