Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-25
NO. 1C)2.
Gales ano Sksttl]es.
HOW ABEL M'APRH PREACHED FOR
MIR. SMITH.

II almost WISH cOulu make mNsell out
more Of hero, but indeed there is little
to tell, said Mr.. M'April, smiling, as he
looked into her carer face. II will tell
what can however. The storm began TIE
second day after our arrival at the light
house. and | assure YOU there was not
much sleeping there that night, for the
wind blew loudly, and the sea was high
and rough. The light-keeper tended his
lantern, and we listened to the wind and
waves, thinking of the sailors who might
be exposed to their fury, and almost trem-
| bling for our own safety even, as the wa
ters dashed about Us, and the lighthouse
Swaycd to and fro. Toward morning a
/ signal of distress was heard. 1t was no
more than We had been ex-
peetng, for the wind was dead ashore.
When we heard the gun the wind and
snow had begun 10 abate, but it was still
dark, and the sea kept up such pound
ing that it WAS difficult to hear anything
else. | think never knew time to pass
so slowly, for we We're obliged to wait for
the sea to 90 down little, and, be side,
we couldn't see TO do ANYTHING until morn
ing. You know the rest-how when the
darkness lifted we saw the Clytie fast 60
ing to pieces on the breakers. She was
complete loss
but how did the accident happen to
Yourself. Mr.. NJ April 90 asked MIR Var
ley
I'VE We're so excited at the time, and
things seemed so confused aiterward, that
can hardly tell 1t would not have been
so bad for us if it had happened at some
other season Of the year. but it was terri-
bly, cold. We had taken off all the men,
when we saw n Young girl clinoing to the
rigging. She did not know how to help
herself as well as the men. and then her
feet We're somewhat frozen. so that we
hardly succeeded in rescuing her. and I
suppose | came near losing nv life.
was nearly exhausted: everything was
slippery with ice, and fell and broke nv
leg. the exposure brought on fever
and besides the rest there was no sur
geon on the Island to set my limb. and we
had to wait for one to come from the MAIN
land; so suppose it is no wonder have
been so long getting we'll"
"The wonder is that YOU lived through
1t all, said Mr. Narley. but did not
know there We're women on board. |
should have thought the men would have
looked cut for them first
"1hc men were excited and frightened.
The mate was frozen to death. and the
captain and one man nearly so, and there
was hardly one who knew what he was
about said Mr.. M'April
The girl and her friends ought to be
very grateful to you,' said Mrs. Varley.
And so they are. They helped take
care of me while | was sick, and would
have done even more if my sister would
have allowed it. But we have talked too
long about the adventure, which mipht
! a,lt e. |, &
/ that am still little lame. as you see.
believe must ask You to excuse me if
retire early Tonight to rest for tomorrow
as it is long time since have undertake
en- so much
Mr.. Narlcy apologized for having kept
him talking when he was already so much
tatigued, and in Il little while after NJ April
retired to his room.
lie had not been up stairs more than ten
minutes when the door bel, rang. Mr..
Narl"Y went to the door. and found there
the gentleman who had charge of the
| church singing. He had heard that min
lister had arrived. and his errand was TO
get him to select the hymns for the NOR
row, the choir having assembled for prac-
tice Mr.. Narlcy told him that his guest
was very tired, and had lust retired for the
night Mr.. Tenor. however, insisted that
he must have the hymns, as they could
not practice in the morning before service.
for Mrs. soprano had large family of
children, and was ALWAYS late He at last
prevailed upon Mr.. Narley to 90 to the
ministers door and ask him about il. He
was Immediately admitted TO the room:
and when he had heard the business. Mr..
NJ April requested that Mr.. Tenor would
select the hymns himself. and give him the
numbers of them at church in the morn
ing. So he wrote the subjects of his two
discourscS ON slip of paper. and thus it
was satisfactorily arranged. Had he made
his own selection, perhaps this story would
not have been told.
The next morning. was rather cold. and
the sky was overcast. but still it was not
unpleasant. Mr.. MApril awoke much
refreshed by his slumbers. Mr.. Varley.
after breakfast, began to be troubled as to
the way he should get his guest to church.
The distance was not very great to be sure.
but the deacon WAS afraid he would not he
able to walk so far, and it was against his
principles to take his horse out on the
sabbath He was soon relieved. however,
by Mr.. M'April himself, who said he
hoped it was not far to church.
'.oh, no was the answer; lit is rath-
cr less than half Il mile"
Il am clad. for rather dread long dis
tanceS, ' said Mr.. M'April Riding tires
me more than walking but am so slow
that long walk takes a. great amount of
time. shall be obliged to start earlier
than You usually do. suppose. Perhaps
Miss Narley will be SO kind as to accom-
pany me and show the way, though fear
shall be II weariSome companion
So il was decided exactly to Mr.. Var
lev's satisfaction. and Miss Varley and
Mr.. M'April walked to church together.
And what shall say of the service The
congregation was all attention, and as the
people came out of church they were talk
ing together Of the eloquent discourse.
Mr. Narley was fairly overlowing.
THAT was what | call good, old-f,sh-
ioned, practical preaching" he said, his
face beaming ON every one, MIR Smith
could do no better himself
Mr.. NJ April found the hymns we'll Sc
lected, and as they happened to be old ac-
quaintances, he did not examine the book