Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-22

= ~hiOu tiuIo We OuRDt 10 nave O66n III
sight OF the white cliffs of old England
and the SOLDERING influences connected
with them. But we had three weeks
more OF it-a happy, halcyon time-thal
eliminated in the scene with which be.
gan this narrative.
We had called at Havre to dispose OF
part OF our cargo, and the captain and
mste living gone ashore to settle some
I:'pu;e " some OF his crew who had
un" arrsutshly deserted The ship, left
Jennie AID me on board in charge.
We were Practically alone on board.
The steward was busy in his csboose,
the black was asleep somewhere forward
'-in the sun-the ship was riding easily
at her anchor with an almost impereepti-
bic motion. The town was shimmeriug
pleasantly in the sunshine, and the white
villas on the wooded heights above shone
like so many caskets OF ivory. 1t was low
tide. and strip OF wet, glistening sand
was visible along the shores of the bay 4;
bathers were splashing about; amateur
shrimpers were pushing their nets be-
fore them in the shadows. Beyond the
bold headland of the Cape Ia Herve,
crowded by its two white lighthouses, as
sumes the appearance of some lazy pa.
rifc beast coucbing in the sands.
turned TO Jennie, and spoke TO her of our
approaching separation; then l made the
final plunge. Oh, those battling winds {!
how much they mad TO answer for.
What Jennie's feelings might have
been after that decisive moment cannot
tell. Mine approached stupelaction. All
the difficulties and disadvantages al
tached to the step had taken now
showed themselves to my minds eye 10
the strongest colors and life of ST -aighL.
ened means ard perpetual solt-donial,
tnctured with The idea of life of mis-
erable responsibility, presented them
selves in ghastly array.
There is sn advantage, however. in
seeing the worst at once. Having suffer-
ed my moment OF agony l began to re-
cover. Jennie, poor child, had not no.
ticed the sudden chill that came over me;
she was too much agitated and occupied
with her own feelings; and as her head
rested on my shoulder, and her eyes
looked INTO mine with trusting confidence,
began to realize the truth, that had
succeeded in winning for myself charm
ing, adectionate companion; that my life
would no longer be lonely aud self con-
tanned.
The tide had turned; the flood had be-
gun TO make. The ship was swinging
slowly around, presenting to us the oppo-
site side of tbs horizon. A loud warning
crash from the awning above made US
both look up. Never shall | forget the
shock of the altered scene that met our
eyes. The sun was still shining bright
overhead, but TO seaward a vast livid
wall OF vspor shut out everything from
view. A shrill blast of wind trumpeted
loudly in the rigging, which began 10 flap
and cresk aud strain. The sea was ris-
ing rapidly. the waves came rushing in,
crested with driven foam. Then the sun
was obscured, visible only as faint and
wateTy blotch the hills crowned with
sunshine, the busy, happy town, were all
blotted out; We were alone, and sud-
den storm and fierce rising sea.
Jennie sprang to her feet, and with ad-
mirable calmness began to lower the
awning; but in moment the wind was
upon US in lull force; the canvass Tapped
wildly, and then tore away from its fast.
enings. flew away to leeHard visible for
moment in the sky, like white sea
bird, and then lost in the gloom.
Wont father &c angryf" cried Jen-
nie, caspiDg her hands, $50 many yards
OF good canvass
Are we not in trightful danger here P"
| said. "Why. l wonder, has your father
not returned?"
Jennie shook her head. "One cant
see everything. Perhaps he - now on
his way"
She took mp the bino culsr, and peered
anxiously through the mist But no boat
was 10 be seen. The sea seemed of q
sudden deserted, except for one or two
| fishing smacks to the southwark, that
with one or two sails half lowered were
scudding rapidly for the hal Dor. But for
as, in the teeth of this soulhwesterly
gale, the harbor mouth was as inaccessi-
| bic as the moon.
Jennie left the poop, and ran forward
TO the fore part OF the vessel. | followed
her as well as could. holding on by this
aud that, for cur ship was now pitching
heavily upon the swell. found her by
the bowsprit watching the rise and fall
OF the ship with anxious eyes. The great
black chain that, s. the vessel fell, would
be invisible in the waves, as she rose
stretched itself tight as how-string,
with clank and groan that made one
shudder. Our lives hung npon that chain,
that the waves seemed to sport with as a
toy. As we stood there n wave larger
than the others rose ~ IN us without