Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-06-24
darker hue; then they changed altogether
and became dark blue.


In merry songs and laughter. The city
gradually faded from sight, and at last was
lost. AS they tioated smoothly along, the
the scene grew brighter and more beautiful
along the banks. Here was a farmhouse,
with its several outbuildings, all surrounded
by large and shady trees, and the cattle
peacefully grazing in the fields beyond,
while overhead could be seen flock of
crows cawing continuously rs they wheeled
i'll circles over the corn-tields. A forest in
the distance covering the sides of noun
tain, and extending away at last into the
blue and empty air, while dotting the whole
of the rippling surface of the bay could be
seen crafts of all nations.
Now fishing smack passed under her
bow, bowling merrily along upon its course.
A large schooner was moving slowly up the
bay, towed along by tiny tug. They were
passing through the Golden Gate, one of
natures greatest and grandest freaks. Anon
they were beyond the head of the bay, and
were passing the lighthouse The land
gradually faded away into long banks of
blue clouds.
At last they were in the calm Pacific,
with her mild and balmy breezes, her cloud
less skies above the blue waters below.
This CAVITY continued from day to day.
On the morrow they expected TO weather
the stormy cape. And night settled down
upon them, leaving all in peace and happi-
ness, with nothing TO disturb their calm
slumbers.
The morning broke clear and beautiful,
with not cloud to obscure the blue heav-
ems. 1t was a warm and lovely day even
the most feeble had ventured from their
berths to behold this beautiful scene. But
as the day wore on, cloud was seen in the
offiDg. AT first it was only small,
white spot; then another rose, TO be fol-
lowed by still another; they seemed to be
hurrying together until they had combined
into one large and widely extended mass,
which rolled along, blackening and en-
larging until it covered the whole heav
ems.
A breeze sprang up, lashing the waves
into frothy foam the white caps were ris-
ing, now sinking Few remained on deck
TO see the storm which threatened.
The waves were tossing and tmbling,
driving the sleet and rain with great vio-
lence against the deck and rigging. The
sea grew more Doisterous as the night adj
vanced. At eight bells the wind was blow
ing hurricane. The ship plunged to and
fro, as she bravely breasted the angry
waters. Now, as she rode upon the crest
of an enormous wave, hel stern sank, and
she seemed slipping backward, down-but
as the wave broke under her, she rushed
madly forward into the trough of the sea.
She trembled and quivered like some
dumb creature in agony, as the waves broke
over her, deluging her decks and seeming
about TO engulf her. But she still rode
upon the crest of another.
What was that A bell2 Yes, it sounded
again! BY some chance the tongue OF her
watchbell had become unfastened, and it
struck her resounding sides with dull and
hollow sound, startling everybody with its
wierd and hollow Changing, as the ship
rolled in the trough of the sea- Dolefully
and sadly it pealed out upon the waters,
with the chilling and almost human words,
Your Knell! Your Knell :" filling the
minds of the passengers with horror and
dlsmay.
What was that dull roar2 Was it not the
beat of the surfi The man upon the look
out shouted
''Port your helm! For your lite, or you
are lost! The breakers q. The breakers!'
Too late! In another instant her keel
grated the rocks, and with fierce lunge
she struck. She quivered and trembied
from bow to stern.
Then the panic was fierce and wild
men, women and children rush
ing madly here and there in their fear,
while above all could be heard the wild roar
and beat of the surf upon a rock-bound
shore.
Above the roar and din could be heard
the noble shouts of command.
keep the guns boomingl Men, stand
firm to the boats Let no one of us enter
until the women and children are safe !"
Then did they show their true and noble
hearts. The boats were lowered, but the
sea was so wild that they were, one after
the other, instantly swamped, and with
shrieks and groans the poor wretches sank
to their watery graves.
The ship was sinking slowly. Her fires
were out-she had passed the last water
line.
The remaining passengers, aftrighted,
were huddled together upon the upper deck.
The waters had reached them. Some,
Drawer than the others, were trusting them
selves upon spars and doors-with any
thing, so as to reach the wished-fOr shore
They felt the chilling waves gradually creep
ing under their feet, hungrily reaching up
with their horrid jaws to grasp them, de-
70 ho oho oft Ho;
prey. There were only five left-the sea
had claimed the rest. These clung to the
rigging with the tenacity of despair, and as
a large and mighty billow came rolling to
ward them, as it reached them and swept
them from their hold upon Its crest, with a
last despairing shrek two were swept away
and lost.
Out of the two hundred souls upon this |
noble ship, only the mate, lashed to a gun,
and the captain and his wife were left. The
wind, whistling through the broken masts
and cordage, seemed to play the prelude
to their ''W edding March to Heaven"
With last dull boom, the ship sank to its
final resting place.
What was that upon the beach yonder,
half buried in the sand? A spar and hui
man fgure2 Yes, it was that of man. A |
woman clung closely t. him. Twas the
brave commander and his beautiful bride. |
Her arms were about his neck, and a sad,
sweet smile upon those pale, cold lips. !
One of his hands still grasped the spar.
With the other he held her close. Together, |
hand in hand, their spirits had ascended |
TO the bridal feast.