The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-05-15
For the Florda Agriculturist.
A Reminisence.
BY jeanette G. ANpEnso,

Reading an article recently of a lit
tie child OF six years, being tormentet
tor time with fear of death, reminds
me Of an incident that occurred sew
eral years since on sailing vesse
moving on foreign waters, bearing
several families from the United
States to their homes after an alb
sence Of many years.
None thought Of oceans peril on
that bright, sunny morning. Every
heart futtered with emotions of hope,
and happy, vivid dreams of distant
home and the joy that awaited them
in that sweet haven. Cloudless skies
witnessed parting adieus, and the oft
repeated ''good-by, good-by," uttered
by laughing lips, sounded sweet and
clear as vesper bells through the soft
morning air, as the vessel glided from
her safe moorings away upon the
deep bosom of uncertain ocean.
Days waned. Onward sped the
good ship with its precious burden
Of human life beneath brilliant sky.
Night followed night. of calm a ellie
ious sleep to the wearied travellers in
which fear Of danger bore no part.
Alas this atmosphere serene, so
full Of bright promise, was too soon
disturbed by trooping clouds march
ing athwart the now murky sky, por-
tending the immediate presence of
The storm-king. A thick drapery of
malignant clouds now hid the disk
Of the sun-god, while day continued.
When night came on, no ray of moon
or star she'd hopeful cheer upon the
gloomy scene. The waves grew
black and seemed to fury dashed by
the angry scowl of heaven whose can
opy Of dark folds trailed into the
surging waters. The wind no longer
utters soft whisperings, or echoes
loves sweet parting words, but min
giles its fierce howl with the light
-s-1ss eiII ear. > hue us
NAL night bellows like II ITS of prev
seeking victims, while the waves hurl
back the fearful echo. The rough.
hardy sailors, to danger bred, are
trembling now, and their quivering
lips attempt prayer The affrighted
passengers, noble, stalwart men, with
feeble womanhood and helpless in
fancy, are gathered as one family
now in the saloon of the struggling
ship. Each pallid face, each quaking
heart, endeavoring to read their doom
in the expression of those about them,
constantly asking, What does the
Captain say now" ?-when the cry
was heard above the bowling ele-
ments, Land I''-and the appalling
words quickly, Breakers ahead y
The terrible cry Of agony that arose
rom blanched lips and sinking hearts,
as one voice from that de-
'oted group, was suddenly hushed
~ the plaintive tones of a little one
,linging to her mothers dress, love-
y child scarcely numbering four
7ears. OH how beautiful she ap-
'ears kneeling there with her soft.
'lue eyes fastened upon her mothers (
ace, as she utters words of faith and
rust, whose music is clearly echoed I
.bove the outward din, "I've prayed l
o God to take me, dear mamma, I'm
,ot afraid to die I" A sudden sweet
aim fell upon those perturbed souls
o lately suffering fear. The faith e
nd resignation of that precious child f
and refreshed their t
ainting hearts, and dropping hope Il
miled again even while the disman- ]
ed ship, creaking in every part, S
yas almost out of the boiling waters o
ossed into the very heavens, then c
ank down, down, into the depths a
ncompassed by wavering wall e
hitch threatened to close and bury a
! its fathomless grave rich cargo s.
f immortals. As morning dawned Il
/ glorious beauty, the suns bright Il
cams rested upon the once stately a