Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-08-12
Washed Ashore.

SAY the sea is moaning tonight,
and we'll have squall before many
hours, or the signs will fail for the first
in lifetime" :"
And the speaker, Rob. Hilton, keeper
of the lighthouse at Rock Point gazed
anxiously over the troubled waters.
Slowly the old man passed up the stairs,
to perform the duty of lighting the lamp,
whose bright rays if God so willed,
should act as a beacon of safety to the
travellers on the stormy deep.
The darkness of night settled gloom
lily down. and many heart in the hum
BILE cottages of the fishermen prayed for
the husbands and sons who then might
be performing a sailors duties.
Suddenly the storm burst forth in its
widest fury, and the distant boom of a
signal gun told that ship was in dan
ger.
"God help the souls on board !" was
the involuntary cry as the men, with one
accord, leaped over the jutting crags
and peaks which hemmed in the foaming
sea.
Boom boom boom!
Surely the vessel would be dashed
against the rock, for it seemed impossi-
BILE for any ship no matter how staunch
and trim--to live in such storm. Fires
were quickly kindled along the shore,
and the brave hearted fishermen hasten
ed to see what assistance could be given
to those beseeching aid.
Crash l-and the ship had struck the
fatal rock.
Ropes and casks were hastily thrown
out by those watching the wreck, hoping
that some poor souls struggling in the
flood might thus gain respite from
DEATH
But the waves-foaming and lashing
in the fury of the storm-seeming to
reap harvest of souls; for of all those
who trod the deck of the princess Ma
ria" in the glow of health only one es-
capped the fate of becoming food for the
sharks.
"Ho ! some one bring light! p
And the sturdy voice of Newton Hill
sounded above the roar of the sea.
Lights were taken. and at the edge of
the foaming breakers, Hill was seen
bearing away body that the waves had
washed ashore. Strong hands carried
away a dripping form to the nearest cot
tage, where they found little child
clasped tightly on the dead woman's
breast.
"What shall we do, Mother Finley ?"
asked one woman in waiting.
"Ah /; the cruel waves have sent the
lady to her last reckoning" moaned the
old woman; "but some one unclasp her
arms and take the child. God grant we
may save one life tonight"
Mothers that had children tucked
snugly away in their cribs at home, took
the little one carefully away from the
death-chilled arms that enfolded it, and
then robed the dead body of the strang
er for burial on the morrow.
"Who will claim the babe?" asked
Grandma Finley. after the child hat
been kissed and cried over by half ;
score of women.
81 will, neighbors," answered voic,
husky with emotion. "The good Shep
herd called home one of our own focl
not long since, and this little waif will
help fill the vacancy. Won't it wife %
And he glanced toward woman sit
ting in the corner of the room holding
tue DdDe Ill ner arms.
"Yes, William, and God deal wit
us as we do with the life so strangel
saved tonight"
, Thus 1t happened that the little wal
r flung from the foam on that wild storm
might, was cherished in the heart an
home of William Chiffon.
"Any name, Ellen, whereby we ma
gain knowledge of her parentage" aske
Mr.. Chiffon, as they sat in their ow
cosy room.
: IL have only found this one wore
Adrian stamped on her garment in
wreath of roses"
- - - = -
Several years had passed, and Adria
t the little sea-waif had hurried into tt
S full bloom of womanhood.
; Resting on rock by the moanin
sea, she was gazing dreamily at the tos
ing waves, as they dashed their spra
a almost at her feet.
y "Oh sea, beautiful sea-" she mu
It INJURED, Z" tbs seventeen years to-nigl
u since your waves washed the frail Ii
- ashore, and in all that time no sign
~ solve the mystery which envelopes m
y Is there not beyond your waters wild
J. some heart mourning for the love whit
n l might give p
= y And she clasped her hands appealin
ly, and waved them to the far-off shor
/ But the sea gave no answer on
J. bounded on in its untamed freedom.
!" "Adrian."
nc Tho vnioa oorndad orox &bo o1;Ea L