The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-06-29
THE SIGNAL GUN.

On the southeastern shore of the
point that juts out to the westward of
Gouldsborough bay, upon the rug
ged coast of the north, there used to
standard in all probability it stands
there yet-a small cot, which, in the win
ter of 1850, for many years previous
to that time, was occupied by an old
weather beaten son of the ocean, an
propriately named James Storms, who
retired from actual service somewhere
about ten years previous to the above
mentioned period, and who now carried
on the various operations of fishing,
bodybuilding, sail making, etc The
mans wife was still among the living !;
and she, together with her husband
end daughter, fair girl of nineteen,
possessed the unbounded love and CON
tidence of all who ever Glanced to
form an acquaintance with the init
mates of the humble cot.
1t was on the evening of the 3lst of
December, 1856, the last day of the
year The old man had returned from
his boat house, whether he had been &c,
close the place more securely against
the driving storm; and shaking the
white fleece from bis thick Jacket,
he hung it upon a peg near the fire
place, and then drew up to the blazing
fire
"Ah exclaimed old Storms, with a
shudder, as he rubbed his half be-
numbed hands. 60 This is a hard night
for the end of the old year. The Lord
have mercy upon any who may chance
to be N our COAST"
Amen fervently calculated his
wife, as she drew her chair nearer to
tue fire. ''Come, Hannah, r." she con
tlnued, turning to her daughter, "let's
have 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. lis but 9 o, clock yet.
Well, - said the old man, "let us
have our supper now, for | feel as
though | needed it,
In obedience to her fathers wish,
Hannah set about the work, and ere
long the table was covered, and all pre-
pared for the evening meal But once
year did the family eat their supper
SO late as this; but for six years past
they had made a practice of Watching
the exit OF the old and the advent of the
new year, and on such occasions they
had postponed their meal further into
the night. AT the head of the table
sat the old woman, at the right hand
sat her husband, while at the left sat
her daughter. At the opposite end OF
the table was set plate, and an empty
a. an tho hocly Cf I'll
narrow piece of black grape.
For several moments after they had
taken their seats at the well fill board
not word was spoken, but all ewes
were turned mour fully upon empty
chair. At length the old man opened
his trembling lips, and uttered, in a
broken tone: "FTis six wears since
our poor boy was lost. Six nights have
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 scat
that once was yours -
Thlckly flowing teais checked the
old mans utterance, and drawing the
back of his hand across his eyes, he
leaned forward upon the table and
wept. The mother and the daughter
Wept also; and though their lips gave
not utterance to words, vet for the boy
that was gone-for the laughing, ioy-
Gus, and attiectionate Robert Of other
days-they sent forth prayers as warm
and true as ever went up from the hearts
OF earth. Their New Years dawn was
scene OF sorrow and mourning but
still they sOrrowed not in vain, for their
hearts were sottened by the tribulation.
and their souls were purified by the tide
OF affilction that had thug rolled in
upon them. To their humble home.
Robert had, IN former years, been the
sunlight and JOY. He had been an af
iectlonate and dutiful son, and q kind
and loving brother; aud when thew first
learned of his death in the Indian
ocean, 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, and they sat
IN comparative silence at the table
the storm ragged without in all its fury.
ever and anon sending a shriIl blast
through some chinkI or criyice which
art had not completely guarded, and
the hallstones, as they ratified cease
lessiy against the windows, threatened
TO force an entrance to the dwelling.
The old man had gradually composed
himself from the effects of his first ont
break OF grief on seeing that empty
char, and, wiping his eyes with his
handkerchief, he folded his bands npon
the table, and raising his furrowed
brow toward heaven, he was about to
offer his humble petition to the throne
OF grace. Not half dozen words had
he SAID, when he started up from his
char, and placed his hand to his ear
ear toward fhe door aS id D vent n n,s
hear that GIN Hannah p
8 Yes, father"
There it goes again - cried
storms, as the dull report of distant
signal gun came breaking through the
roar OF the bowling tempest.
There's danger on oar coast Got
my lantern, Hannah; and Won wife
bring my tar-kettle from the porcb
m afraid | shall never be able to LIGHT
the signal on the cliff; bat at all events
I'll try"
In few moments the old man was
mutfled up for the duty he had ON
hand; and with the kettle in one hand
and the lantern III the other, he issued
forth. The storm was indeed terrific
but with a noble purpose the sturdy
old coastman breasted its fury, and
made his way as fast as possible up to
the top of an overhanging cliff, which
reared abovethc storm. dashed breakers