Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-03-04
A Storm at Sea-The Rescue.

-h'ehti' y ou VIII ttt tht eos
A terrible storm is sweeping along the
wild coast of North Devonsbre. The Dyn-
mouth life-boat is prepared to make its
way To foreign vessel which, at some
short distance from the land is showing
signs of dire distress. The life-boat crew
Is complete, with the exception of one
man. Young Will Carew, plymouth
fisher lad and an expert sailor, is offering
TO I'LL the vacant place. At first he bends
down gently to woman, who stands be-
sides him on the dreary shore. and 1t is his
clear, brave voice that we hear above the
raging of the storm.
Mother. you will let me go?''
The mother has been widow only six
short months. Her husband was a fisher
man he put out one bright day last spring
for the last time In fishing boat upon n
delustvely calm sea. A sudden squall came
on; broken fragments of the boat were
seen next morning on the beach. but the
hsherInan returned no more to home and
love. And now the son asks permission to
brave the horrors OF the sea, which his
father found so pitiless.
fierce, passionate refusal rises to the
woman's lips. But her sad eyes move
slowly toward the distressed vessel; she
thinks OF the many loved lives in jeopardy
within it, thinks, with a sudden pang OF
agonized pity, of many distant, dear homes
IN peril of bereavement; she turns to the
boy, and her voice is calm and courageous
as his own:
Go, my son. And may God Almighty
90 with you, and bring you safe back TO
your mothers heart"
Hurrledly sh" leaves the beach. hurried
ly seeks her desolate home. and alone she
wrestles with the pain OF her Old sorrow
and her new fear.
Morning dawns again. The storm has
spent itself Suleuly the waves are tos-
sung their naughty heads, but the sen !
worst fury i over at last. a gallant yes
sci has gone down upon the waters, but
the plymouth lite-boat has nobly fulfilled
It's noble task, aud all hands on board the
vessel have been saved.
Why does youn. VIII Carew linger in
hesitation outside his mother, door?
Bravest OF the brave he has shown himself
throughout the night. Why does he shrink
from the proud welcome that awaits him,
from the heart nearest to his own:
Beside him stands a tall worn man; a
man whom he has rescued from watery
grave; u man whose eyes full OF tender
ness never leave his own. Around the TWO
throng plymouth villagers; many hands
are thrust toward the man in happy rcc"g-
uition.
w no Will dare TO tell her: 50 speaks a
voice weil-ul.h chokcd with emotion.
Il Will Aud Will Carey makes his way
through the awc-struck crowd. Another
n'oIuent and he Is In his mothers arms
lie feels aud knows for the first time the
whole depth Of that wondrous maternal
love wEith Love OmnipOteut has chosen
As i. best earthly token.
Mother. listen. | have 4 tale for yOur
ears. May God teach me how 10 tell il
right. One Of the men saved last night
was Dynmouth fisherman The bows
voice i son and grave. but It is evident
that hc stcadIes 1t only with "A strong effort.
"A fearful storm had oyrrtaAen hun up
on the sea, one day not many month, ago.
lie wa. observed aud saved bv foreign
vessel The vessel was outward bound.
Away from home, from wife aud kindred.
the man was forced To sal; aud by wife
and Kindred lac was mourned as dead. He
arrived at the vessels destined port, only
To st sail again with the first ship bound
for England. Last .ht be found himself
within sight OF home; but q Mid storm
was raging on .aud and sea, aud once
more the man stood face to face with
terrible death. Help came in his need
help, God-scut, God-dlrectcd. And
The boy breaks down now. On his
hutts, Dy MS InOtIcT y IccL, ne clasps her
hands conyulsiyely IN his. and his voice
comes only through his thick sobs:
Mother, darling, try 10 bear the happy
truth. When your brave heart, q heart
which, IN the midst OF it, own sorrow
could feel for the sorrow of others, sent me
forth last night to the succor OF the dis
tressed, you knew not how should you
know that you sent me TO the rescue OF
my dear fathers life. Cod gave him back
to me. Gnd ms giyen hirs mother back
70 our grateful love
Not another word is spoken Locked in
each others arms, mother and son pour
out their hearts IN L Hood of unspeakablv
happy tears.
\ step i, heard the rescued man stand.
by his oan hreside, remembering, with
deep emotion, that his place there, has
been won for him by the skill and courage
OF his son.
With a cry OF Wild joy, the mother rash
e. forward. and her head finds its long lost
place upon her husbands breast.
An. Love, supreme, unutterable. !.
Strange, indeed, are the paths through
which thy divine wisdom leads thy child
rem 10 pure happiness. la mute reverence
We bow before the mighty Tenderness
which crowns and blesses earthly love.