Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-11-12
Tmr noArmAN,s CnILp.

II was q time when stormy winds
We're sweeping o'er the land,
And scattering destruction wild
Broadcast on every hand.
When flooded rivers madly tore,
And swept upon their way,
All that they met, their outstretched arms
Bore much Of human prey
within the Mlssissippi's bed,
A fertile little isle,
Lifted it's sunny face to heaven
With many a grateful smile.
A little cot, embowered in green,
Was nestled in the shade,
And here, Irene, the boatman's child,
From morn till even played.
All day, her father at his work,
Thought Of his darling child,
The pride, the treasure Of his life,
With eyes so blue and mild.
All day, the daughter at her play
Thought Of her father true,
And of her mothers grassy grave
Beneath the sky so blue.
And or at night the boatman went,
With reverend look and tread,
To sit with Irene by the grave,
And tell her Of the dead.
How when she was tiny bale,
They laid her mother there,
With lilies in her snowy hands,
And on her boron fair
And so the days had slipped away
With noseless, painless tread,
Until ten pleasant tranquil years,
Had fitted DER her head.
And now It's even and heavy clouds
Ars gathering, one by one;
Loudly and long the thunder roars,
While Irene waits alone.
But soon her fathers boat she secs,
And runs with happy feet
Her laughter ringing on the air,
Like joybells clear and sweet.
The raindrops fall in torrents now,
She laughs them all to scsrn:
my little lass, the bOatman thinks
"A palace would adorn."
Swift to the cottage now they fly,
The father and the child,
1.-THE wind is rising, lark Ireuei
The night is very wild"
But hers We are SO safe" she said,
And I'm so glad you've GOMEZ"
The Boatmhn answered with q smile,
God bless my child ald home"
But all night long the thunders roar,
And faster falls the rain,
And wild the wind that dashes It
Against the window pane.
Three days, three nights the tempest wild
Has with them made it's home;
And now the river running mad
Lins up it's arms of foam.
The bostman sees with sinking heart,
The waters rapid rise:
He sscs his little home aloat,
To gain the shore is wise.
And yet, how can he breast that noodf
Stout heart, and bra,e, wean,
There is one thought, and only one,
'Tis of his child, Irene.
His only hope is in the shore,
He calls her TO his side,
See, darling, we must leave our home.
Death is on every s.de;"
The blue eyes look into his own,
With light so pure and free,
Dear father am not afraid,
You'll take good care of me-"
He takes her to his loving heart,
His boat was near at hand,
No. God thy strength" b" the boatman cries,
To help me gain the land"
Out, ont, into the angry food,
That laughs to see it's prey,
And catches it and tosses 1t
Far in its arms away.
Irene hold fast my child, my child,
Yo:r form cannot see,"
Her sweet voice answers II am safe
You'll take good care of me-"
The shore, oh Heaven how far it seems,
How little does he gain
The torrent sweeps him farther down.
He pulls with might and main.
His eyeballs glow like living Goals,
His lips are stern and white;
irene, my darling say your prayers
wen be In Heaven to-night;"
oI father, father, help has come,
Mother is there with you;
1 know her by her lovely hair,
And by her eyes SO blue.
Pull to the right, pull to the right.
The way is bright before,
And mother stands with outstretched hand
To point us to the shore.
On on brave father, nothing now
Your strength can overwhelm,
see' through the binding, dashing stray,
An angel at tie helm"
Were safe, we're safe, - the boatmau cries.
And Heaven has sent US aid,
For every muscle had been strained
And every effort made;
Once more, oh, darling of my lifel
fold you to my breast,
where ten long years I've fondled you,
And soothed you unit rest"
"Irene, If yon have seen HER face,
Who left me years agone,
Il was because we were 30 near,
The portals of the dawn;
And If her love has given us ta,k
To lie, and earth once more,
Well nightly bless the angel hand
That brought us 10 the shore.
GiAcE MELBOURNE
Cleveland, October, 1850.