The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-05-29

.AlcNS WuO on returning to
!mm = ~" = been followed by these pierc.
lug >des of distress, although their
'S Arts were stirred to their innermost
depths, were powerless to convey help.
or relieve this long and dolorous agony.
AT last an old sailor stepped forth,
inspired by heroic resolve. He might
perish a victim to his devotion, but at
least he would make the trial of disput.
ing with the miserable sufferers the
strength of the billows.. He launched
on the sea q life-boat, and then called
for q volunteer to aid him in the fear
full experiment. No man came FORWARD
at the summons. This failure was not
lack of courage; but such an act re-
quired more than courage-even a
grand heroism-thus to voluntarily
struggle with the unclaimed winds and
waters. The enterprise seemed SO
reckless that the bravest among them
recciled from it.
just then, behold! a young sailor-a
mere child--glided out from the group
of men, son Of a fisherman Of the coast,
and offered himself to serve as second
to the old man. Then, having already
mounted on the boat, he turned toward
a woman clad in mourning garments,
ran to her. and, throwing his arms
about her neck, embracing her tender
~, said in firm, yet boyish voice:
"Mother: let me gor'
Now, this poor mother had been a
widow scarcely six months. Her hus-
band, brave fisherman, had sailed
out of the little cove on a certain morn
ing to broadcast his net in the sea.
When he embarked, the water lay calm
as q quiet inland sea. But a sudden
squall Of wind arose. On the follow
ing day broken and splinte1ed portions
of boat drifted to the shore, while
nothing was ever heard or seen there
after Of the hapless sailor.
1t was to the afflicted survivor of
this lost fisherman that her only son
prayed consent to war-heroic folly!-
against the fury of the bitter sea, which
had served, only a few days ago, it
seemed, as the tomb of his father.
This mother, weeping bitterly, at
first refused; then, as she heard the
despairing cries of the shipwrecked
crew, and cast her eyes over the seeth-
ing waters. she also discovered the fly
ing signals of anguish from the drown
ing victims. She thought of husbands
and of children who were perishing
there, and thus silenced her own des-
perate grief. Turning to her son, this
heroic woman said:
$50, my child! l give thee my
blessing. Have courage. May God 60
with thee and bring thee back safe and
sound to thy mother!"
The frail vessel, now at some dis
lance on its outward 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, already sinking,
could also be seen.
Soon the bereaved mother could gaze
no longer. Crushed in spirit and faint
with emotion, she sank down uncon-
scious on the rocky shore. The kindly
fishermen lifted her gently from the
sand and conveyed 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-even her only and we'll
beloved 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 be-
meath the waves. Above the whistling
and roaring of the hurricane could be
heard, for brief space, the shrieks
uttered by the miserable crew, sus-
pended above an awful gulf; then
nothing could be distinguished, save
the creakingof broken masts, on which
chung two or three cramped and stiff
fened sailors, waiting for death, which
came slowly. Daylight faded away, a
last cry echoed through the air, q
fainter one followed, and then only the
grcwl of angry waves renamed as they
dashed each other over the rocky bot
tom.
The fishermen, who had tarried on
the bleak strand for many a weary hour,
now returned to their small huts, above
the sea-while saviors and shipwrecked
slept, without doubt, ere this in the
same dark tomb. Midnight cast its
somber veil over the whole frightful
scene, and when another day dawned,
the tempest had ceased, the sea Law
calm, and the life-Doat had not returned
to port.
An hour hence, far out on the hori-
zon, could be discerned small craft,
making Roadway toward Lecque; and
soon it entered the little bay, rowed
by its two strong heroes. The whole
night had they struggled with +" might
and main" against wind and current,
and miracle it was accounted that
they had in the dense obscurity been
able to avoid the countless rocks with
which the Channel on this side is thick
ly covered. They had, indeed, nobly
performed their marine duty.
But why does the young fisherman
hesitate to disembark at the Greve?
Why does one so brave shrink from
rushing to his cabin on the cliff, and
there casting himself in the arms of his
fond mother? Bravest among the
brave is his valiant conduct es! eemed.
Why, then, does he pause in humble
attitude at the proud thanks that await
him? By his side sits a man of tall
stature-a man for whose life he has
battled with the raging waters hour
after hour-a man whose large, dark
eyes are filled with a tender light as
they rest upon the boy.
The boat having now safely passed
the jetty, the glad fishermen, who had
gathered on the narrow strand, met the
old and young friend with glowing
warmth of praise. Then, at sight Of
this man, they fastened to him, exhib-
iting every sign of utmost joy, press
ing both his hands affectionately within
their own; for well did they recognize
the stranger guest.
"Yet who among the group dare an.
nOunce to her the good news?''
"Her son himself!' cried the young
fisher-lad, with strange excitement.
A few minutes thereafter, the brave
child ia in the arms of his NOR WAITING.