The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-05-17

suoici WhiiS hothiue hdS cfct heatu VI beeh
thereafter Of the hapless sailor
IL was TO the afflicted survivor Of this
lost fisherman that her only son prayed
consent to wardrobe folly against the
fury Of the bitter sea, which had served,
only few days ago, il seemed, as the 7
tomb Of his father.
This mother, weeping bitterly, at FIRST I
refused; then, as she heard the despairing
cries Of the shipwrecked crew, aud east
her eyes over the seothing waters, she also
discovered the flying signals Of anguish
from the drowning victims She thought
Of husbands and Of children who were per
ishing there, and thus silenccd her own
desperate grief Turning to her son, this
heroic woman said
go, my child give thee my bless
ing Have courage. May God go with
thee and bring thee back safe and sound
to thy motherW
The frail vessel, now at some distance
out in its Onward course, frightfully tossed
! by the mad waves, could be family traced
by the anxious watchers on the shore,
while the two heroic sailors, straining
every nerve to keep the oars in place and
hold its course toward the fated ship, al
ready sinking, could also be seen.
Soon the bercayed mother could gaze no
longer. Crushed 10 spirit aud faint with
emotion, she sank down unconscious on
the rocky shore. The kindly fisherman
lifted her gently from the sand and con
veyed her to her cabin on the cliff, their
eyes filling with tears as they believed that
this woman, already widowed and forlorn,
would on this day lose all that remained
dearest to her in the world-eveu her only
and well-beloyed son.
A horrible cracking Of timbers was
now heard by those on the beach, The
staunch and beautiful ship had struck on
a rock, and the spectators watched it, little
by little, sinking deeper beneath the waves.
Above the whistling and roaring Of the
hurricane could be heard, for brief space,
the shrieks uttered by the miserable crew
suspended above an awful gulf; thea moth.
Ing could be distinguished, save the creak-
ing Of the broken masts, Gu which clung
two or three cramped and stifFened sailors,
waiting for death, which came slowly.
Daylight faded away, last cry echoed
through the air, fainter one followed,
and then only the growl Of angry waves
remained as they lashed each other over
the rocky bottom,
The fishermen, who had tarried on the
bleak strand for many weary hour, now
returned to their small huts, above the
sea,-while sayiOrs and shipwrecked slept
without doubt, ere this in the same dark
tomb. Midnight cast its sombre veil over
the whole frightful scene, and when anoth
er day dawued, the tempest had ceased
the sea lay calm, and the lifc-boat had no
returned to port.
An hour hence, far out on the horizon
could be discerned small craft, making
headway toward Lecque; and soon it en-
tered the little bay, rowed by its two stronI
heroes. The whole night had they strug
gled with "might aud main" against winC
and current, and miracle it was account
cd that they had in the dense obscurity
been able to avoid the countless rocks will
which the Channel, on this side is thickl,
covered They had, indeed, nobly per
! NhIh
But why does the young fisherman hos
itate to disembark at the Grevc? VIII
does one 50 brave shrink from rushing /,
his cabin on the cliff, and there castinI
} himself in the arms Of his fond mother
Bravest among the brave is his valian
conduct esteemed Why, then, does h
pause in humble attitude at the prou,
thanks that await him2 BY his side sit
man of tall stature-a man for who's,
, life he has battled with the raging water
hour after hour--a man whose large, darl
eyes, are filed with tender light as the,
rest upon the boy.
The boat having now safely passed tn
jetty, the glad fishermen, who had gath
cred on the narrow strand, met the ol,
and young friend with glowing warmth o
praise Then, at sight Of this man, the,
FASTENED to him, exhibiting every sign 0
utmost joy, pressing both his hands aiIec
J tionately within their own; for well di,
they recognize the stranger guest.
"Yet who among the group dare an
nounce to her the good news?
A few minutes thereafter, the braV
child is in the arms Of his poor waitin
mother.
Mother, my dear mother, listen Will
l tell thee what happened this storm
night, and may God teach me how 10 speal
the words aright One Of the men save,
by us was once a fisherman of the Greve
; A tempest surprised him at sea fe,
months ago; his boat was dashed TO piece
against the rocks Of Paternoster; but a
7 for himself, the man was taken up by
strange ship outward bound The boa
continued on its way, obliging the wreoke
fisherman to navigate great oceans, fa
away from home, from his wife and hi
friends. Every one believed he was dead
His wife and only child wore a mourning
dress for him, When the ship arrived a
! its destined port, the unfortunate man re
ccived his discharge. lie landed in Eng
land on tho day before yesterday, and wa
already in sight Of his cabin at Lecque
where he looked to find his dear wife ant
son, when fearful whirlwind brought hin
once more face to face with death. Blu
God came to his help" And the voice Q
. thc culu BIcW iaiut anu tTcmuiOuS, Will
great tears rolled over his cheeks, an,
falling at his mothers feet, he pressed he
! hands couvulsively.
Mother, my good mother, learn th
happy truth As thou vast listening
did not thy hcart-that heart which fol
got its own sorrow before the sufFerings o
others, and sent me last night to the hel
; Of a sinking ship,-didst thou not know
yet how shouldst thou be able to know7-
that thou didst send INC to save the life q
my dear father 2--God led me to hin
Let US return thanks that God has give
him back to us. Yes mother, let us prais
him with all our heart '
The boy could not add single wor
more; but mother and son knelt together
aud in this pathetic attitude mingled thei
joyful tears at the mefcy.seat Of God
Soon an approaching footstep caught tn
sense, and, lifting their heads, iae tw
gentle worshippers beheld the dear re
turned wanderer standing onthc threshold
/ Of the outer door
A wild cry Of joy echoed throughou
4 Al. 1. I