Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-09-13
pOetrp.
The Leak in the Dyke.

ed blythe sea only by the dykes. as they a
called. or high banks. which are built 4
like the leyees which keep the Mississlp
River from overlooking the low countr
on its banks. The following story
verse. from the Child's Companion. Is
narrative of n well established incidei
In the history of Holland and its dykes:
The god dame looked from her cottage
At the close Of the pleasant dsy,
And cheerily called 10 her little .on
Outside the door at play:
Come, Peter, GOMEZ want you to 90,
While there Is light 10 see
To the hut Of the blind old man who live.
Across the dyke. for me:
/ And take these cakes made for him
They are hot and smoking yet;
You have time enough TO so and come
/ Before the sun j. et''
| Then the good wife turned 10 her labor.
Humming a simple song
Ana thought other husband. working hard
At the sluiccs sll day long:
And sct the turf blazing,
And brought The coarse, black bread
( lhsi he might md fire at night.
/ And find the table spread
/ And Peter len the brother.
Win whom all day he had plsyeJ
And tie SISTER who had watched their snort.
In the willows tender shair:
nd tod them they'd sec hin, hacl hef,,
They saw star In sight
Though he wouldn't be siraii IN co
Ia the very darkest night,
For he was a brave. bri.h, fcilov
With eye and conscience clear.
ne cou.d 90 whatever bsy might do
And BE- had not learned TO fear
WHY. he wouldn't have robbed htri,s 49,,
Nor brought 4 stnrk Ia harm,
Though never a law in Holland
Had stood TO stay MS arm,
And now. with hi, face all glowing.
And ewes n. bright ~ the d,v
With the thoughts Of his plessanterr.rJ
He trudgei along the way:
And soon his JOY Gus praule
Msde glad lonesome place-
Alas! II only the h.iad old man
Could have seen ihai happy far.l
let he sOFnt hOs caught the briyh,ne..
Which hi. voice And Presence Ient.
And he felt the sunshine come ana 90
A. Peter came aud went!
And now, A. the day was sinking
And the winds began 10 ri.r.
Inc mother looked from the door AZ ain.
shading her aDXiou. eyes
And saw the shadows dsepen
And birds 10 their home. come hack
Bui never sign Of Peter
Along the level track.
But she aid He wil come a, rnornipv
- ! need not fret or grie,,-
Though II isn't ike my boy st,u
To stay without my leave"
But where was the child dslayings
On the homcwari way wa. he
Ano across The dyke while the sun wAsup
And hour above the sea.
lie was stopping now TO gather hower..
Now listening TO the sound
A. the angry waters dashed fhem,,lycs
Against their narrow bound.
An well tor Us" said Peter
ihh the gates are good and strong.
Ana my father tend. them carefully.
= ~ they would not bold you long
You're wicked sea" aid Peter
Il know why you fret And chafe
lou would Ike 10 pol our land, and home.
But our sluices Keep you sale -
Bnt bark though the noise OF water.
Comes 4 low, e'eAr. trickling sound:
Ana the chi!ds face pales with terror.
- a. :. NJ blossoms drop TO the ground,
II, y Up The bank in n moment.
A A. Ii. .ienIgs u through the sand,
T'iS leak in the dyke hsrRe
Unused 10 fearful scenes;
But. Young n be Is, he has learned 70 know
The dreadful thing that means.
A leak in the dyket The s,ou,est heart
Grows faint that cry TO hear,
And the bTAyest man in AL the land
Turns white with mortal fear,
| For he knows the smallest leak may grow
To food In a single Night;
| And he knows the strength OF the cruel sea
When loosed in It's angry might
| And the boy He Ia. seen the danger.
And, shouting wild alarm.
| He forces back the weight OF the sea
With tbs strength Of has single arm!
| He listens for the joyful sound.
| OF footstep passing nigh:
And lays bis ear 10 the ground, TO catch
The answer 10 his cry.
| Aud he hears the rough winds blowing
And the waters rise and fall,
But never an answer comes TO him,
Save the echo OF his call.
lie sees no hope. no succor,
His feeble voice is lost;
Yet what shall he do bu, watch and wait,
Though he perish al his post.
So. fzintiy calling and crying
Till the sun is under the sea;
Crying and moaning till the stars
Come out for company;
| lie thinks Of his brother and sister,
Asleep In their safe warm bed
| BE thinks OF his father and mother,
OF himself a. dying-and dead;
J And oi how, when the night il over,
They must come aud md him at last:
But he never thinks he can leave the place
Where duty hold him fast.
The good dame 10 the cottage
Il up and astir with the light.
For the thought Of her little Peter
Has been with her all night.
And now she watched the papthwsy,
| As yester-e,e she had done;
But what does she see so strange and black
Against the rising sun,
Her neighbors are bearing between them
Something straight to her door:
Her child is coming home. but not
As he ever came before!
'He is dead y she cries; my darlingl"
And the startled father hears,
And comes and looks the way she looks,
And fears the thing she fears;
Till 4 glad shout from the bearers
Thrills the stricken man and wife
give thanks, for your son has saved our Ian
And God has saved his lie -
So. there in the morning sunshine
They knelt about the boy:
And every head was barred aud bent
In fearful. reverent 10y.
Tis many year since then; but still,
" hen the ses roars like 1ood,
Their boys are taught whst boy can do
Who Is brave and true and good.
For every man in that country
Takes his dear son BY the hand
And tells him OF little Peter,
Whose courage saved the land.
| They have many . valiant hero.
Remembered thought the years;
But never one whose name so Oft
Is named with loving tears.
And his deed shall be sung by the cradle,
And told TO the child on the knee,
So long As the dykes OF Holland
Divide the land from the sea.
Sitting Around.
They are sitting around upon barrels q
chairs,
Debating their ows and their neghbors'