Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-01-03

and foresight now were requisite
10 keep from capsiziDg, and had to see
two attempts fail ere he collected strength
TO draw himself over the eunwale. When,
by supreme exertion, he finally clam
bercd in, the tall figure lay painting, with
closed eyes, in the bottom of my shal,op.
And on, The tlrob Of joy at his rescue
died Will in nc as Igazed Ola that long,
long waste of stormy waters, and knew
thai my hands were b.istered, the strength
derived from my recent excitement fast
going, and even my courage failing. l
looked to my almost exhausted companion
to see ii might dare hope for any assist
ance from him aud now l was convinced
he was not seaman by profession; his
dress was Of heavy black cloth, his face,
not Drowned by sun and wind, but fair
rather, and his long, muscular fingers were
white and plant. When the hard breath
ing ceased, the eyes opened, and he began |
to look about him with fast returning con- |
seriousness, his face seemed strangely famil- |
lar, as of All old acquaintance. lie was !
soon aware Of my strained, anxious fac.
aud form bent painfully to work, and, with
some difficulty and much caution, he
gained the rOwers' seat. No word was
spoken for we both saw that all our ener-
gieS and attention were needed to bring us
to the land. 1t was not until after many
anxious, despairing minutes, which seemed
drawn out into hours, that we came close
to shore, and choosing our time, went in OH
great wave which grounded us fast 20 the
beach. He drew the boat with alast effort
above tide mark, " hilst fell on my face
in the soft sand, and cried in grea. sobs OF
mingled WEAKNESS and relief My COM
panion seated himself ON piece of diff
wood, and waited patiently for a while;
| but when, at length, the long threatening
rain came pouring down, he bent forward,
| and, touching me, said: cit is raining
hard! Had we not better find shelter
| have friends and relatives near by, whom l
| expected to spend vacation W tn, but diu
not intend to surprise so unceremoniously
| come-once housed you can weep at your
| leisure" My first impressions were all
| clear in moment. His resemblance to a
! portrait had often seen, and his reference
to visit knew was anticipated, con-
| WINGED me. l was in the presence Of p O.
| lessor cousin, principal OF a school in -,
aud now coming home for the holidays.
His sarcasm was not the less singing. Ii
it was intended to rouse me, it was emf
nently successful; for, springing up, in
dignantly blazed forth with, "If l wee ,,
my tears are thankful prayers to God foI
my preservation! Would you cheat ME OF
nv gratitude, because y0u have none,
cousin Give RaEdall?' His face flushed
at this taunt, but was grave again Instantly
as he said: at is, then, t. my little
Southern cousin, of whom / have lately
heard 50 much, that my thanks for life
saved arc due. But do not think it. any
proof of gratitude to Providence for your
rescue, TO lie in tho rain, thereby rjsking
, after your recent exertion, death-cold.'
With 4 half angry glance AT The
face whose easy self possession SO nroyok
cd ne, and 4 rebelious feeling at bis smil
, ing ,ebuke, trudged forward over thu
roa. leading l,omcWar,l, the Professor
meekly following. After the crowd o
questions, answers and eNclamations wer'
over for me, my feliOw-suilerpr related III
. brief story: The steamer in which he hat
!. !. secured passage had lost the service of t"'
| of her crew by an accident which had dis
abi.c them tie day before. When the gal
commenced, he, being, like most boys rails
ed Oh the sound, a pretty fair seaman, ALT
seeing the Captain 'short handed" ha'
y protie,ed his services. The catastrophe
t followed, of which they knew, and he ha'
! been rescued by This .elraDt damosei'
with q bow of mock reverence to me.
, My departure was postponed by the kim
. hospitality Of my relatives, and flrthe
= ! Intimacy with my cousin Give only scrve'
10 CONVINCE llc tFI,l iidu Il Did\t
) / generous heart, not Notwithstanding my ind;G
:, nation ct his supposed insrattudc.
j, 80" sClilOquiZcd, one morning, as, o.
= INV old porch, looked over a sea rs treach
: erouslv calm as before the storm, $50
- Gid have something To do here after all
And God remembered me always, an
doubtless He took thought of my savin
this lfe,-tlGugh this n,a,,"-here tears {
modification aud disappointment fell fas
> for recalled vague feeling, which came
: in those terrible minutes when We workc
: side by side for life, that perhaps this ma
q might make difference. that through hn
: might come that happy calm which l S
:. desired, after the storm Of lonely, bite
! longing. Half choked with the sobs, {
" which | was ashamed, sat i'll silence.
a ':Who i, So hea,tless as not to care
= little cousin:'" said grave, soft voice, an
= the speaker, none other tl,an the subject {
my leproachful words, helped himself to
share of my rock, and took, il his stroD
y grasp, the hands that tried to hide my tear:
:, His face was softer, his eyes more kin
!; than | had ever dreamed they could be, a
7 he went on did you really think III
! ungrateful because would not let you Ii
- here in the rain that evening" Did yo
= suppose had no thanks for the dear gil
who saved my life 2" His voice lingere
% almost tenderly on those ...st words. NJ
- guilty face Redeemed, and the salt-drop
y fell again on my hot cheeks, though
despised myself for crying. At last, burs
. out d: 81" [ suppose you thank me, yes; bu:
+ wasn't thinking of that,-only remember
= ing how utterly alone l seemed here befor
y the storm came, believing that even God
o Providence was estraDged and what goo
F would a speech of thanks do me?
= only" - here the cry of my lonelines
q grew beyond control. l forgot the ma
= whose clear eyes watched me, and ende
with the wail-"Oniy somebody to-.
n Though stopped impatently at having S
n spoken, saw he had caught the meanin
h but balf-spoken. There was a light in til
o true gray eyes not there before the stead
= voice bad a tremor IN 1t, and the strong
soft hands drew me yet nearer, as he said
. els 1t Tore that my little cousin wants !?
! My hands shook In bis, but could not re
p ply. For moment all was still, save tina
;. | the murInur in the water rippled strangel
n like the happy laughter which conceal
! Joyful tears. Then he said, in o whispe
= so soft that it had scarcely moro voice thai
! tie tender light in bis eyes,
p "S"eetheart, will you take it from me !?
, l answered not, but then -" silence give
y | CONSENT" you know! SIRIUS.
e South Carolina Items.