The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-07-04
Washed Ashore.

CAY! the sea is moaning tonight,
and Wen have squall before many
hours, or the signs will fail for the first
in lifetime"
And the speaker, Robert Hilton.
keeper of the lighthouse at Rock Point
gazed anxiously over the troubled wa
ters. Slowly the old man passed up
the stairs, to perform the duty Of light
ing the lamp, whose bright rays, if God
so willed. should act as a beacon oi
safety to the travellers on the stormy
deep.
The darkness of night settled gloom
ily down, and many heart in the hum
ble cottages of the fishermen prayed
for the husbands and sons who then
might be performing s 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 impossl-
bile for any ship-no matter how staunch
and trim-to live in such a storm
Fires were quickly kindled along the
shore, and the brave-hearted fisherman
fastened to see what assistance could
be given to those beseeching the aid.
Crash !-aad the ship had struck the
fatal rock.
Ropes and casks were hastily thrown
outby those watching the wreck, hoping
that some poor soul struggling in the
food might thus gain a respite from
death.
But the waves-foaming and lashing
in the fury Of the storm-seeming reap
ing a harvest of souls; for all those
who that day had trod the deck Of the
"Princess Maria" in the glow of
health, only one escaped the fate Of be-
coming food for sharks.
"Ho! some one bring light"
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 seer
bearing away body that the waves bad
washed ashore. Strong hands carried
away drigping form to the nearest
cottage, where they found little child
clasped tightly on the dead woman'
breast.
"what shall we do, Mother FinleyE :
asked one woman in waiting.
"Ah; the cruel waves have sent th'
lady TO her last reckoning" moanel
the old woman; "but some one unclasl
her arms and take the child. God gran
we may save one life tonight"
Mothers that had children tucked
snugly away in their cribs at home
ook the little one carefully away iron
the death-chilled arms that enfolded 1t
and then robed the dead body of th'
stranger for burial on the morrow.
"who will claim the babe?" aske'
b>Gocndame Finley, after the child ha'
been kissed and cried over by half
score OF women.
81 will, neighbors, answered a yoic
husky with emotion. "The good shep
herd called home one Of our own hoc
not long since, and this little waif vii
help mi the vacancy. Won't itwife!
And he glanced toward a woman sit
ting IN the corner Of the room holdin
the babe in her arms.
eyes, william, and God deal with u
as We do with the life so strangel
saved tonight"
Thus it happened that the little wall
q nung from the foam on that wild
aormy night, was cherished IN u
beArt and home Of william Chiffon.
ANY name, Ellen, whereby we ma
gain knowledge % her parentage 7