The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-03-18

ed that it might go no higher. On,
on, on, it came, and his shoulders
were covered; hope died within him,
and he thought Of himself no longer.
but of those who were so dear to him
his wife, his children and his father
i: was for blessings on them he then
implored Heavea. Still on, on, il
came, and he was forced to raise his
head to keep rs long as possible from
death; his reason was almost gone,
his breath grew feeble, his limhschiil
he painted, and his prayers became al
most gurgiing murmurs. The blood
rushed to h head; his eye-balls glar>
red as if they would start from their
sockets. He closed them with an ef.
fort. and thought for the last time on
the home that would soon be SO
wretched
Horrible images were before him
each swell of the wave seemed As III
the fsnds were forcing him down
ward, and the cry of the sea-bird was
like their yells over their victim. He
was gasping, choking, for be had not
strength to keep his head above the
waves, every moment they were
splashing upon it, and each convul-
Give start that followed only aroused
him 10 the consciousness, if conscious
ness it could be called, that the next
plunge would be his last
Merciful powers! At the very mo
ment when the strength and spirit Of
a nan had left him, and the cold
shudder Of death had come on, he felt
that the tide rose no higher. His
eyes opened, closed, and a fearful
laugh troubled the watersl They ed
died in his throat, and the bubbles
foated around his lips-but.they rose
no higher-that he knew again and
again his bosom heaved with q deep
sob, as he drew in Ais breath and
gave it forth anew in agony.
A minute had passed since the salt
sea touched his lips; this was impos>
sible if the tide still Aowed--he could
reason SO much. He opened his eyes
and family murmured forth: ooh,
God! he emercifuI." The flow Of the
ocean had indeed ceased; there he
still stood motionless, but praying and
weeping-thinking of his beloved
home, and hoping lis place there
might not he forever vacant, The
waters in, short time subsided, ana
he was enabled to stretch his chill
liunhs, and then to warm them by ex-
ercisa. Soon the rock was left dry rs
before, and the fisherman kbelt down
upon that desolate spot among the bill
lows-hid his face in his hands, and
praised and blessed his Creator-his
nrpscryer
It was the well-known bark of bi;
faithful dog that he heard above the
wares. IL another moment the Great
ure was licking his pale cheek. He
was saved-he was sayed-for hi.
own boat had touched the shore, and
his own boy was in his armsl
He had been drifted to the land,
and had easily found those who row
ed hard to save his fathers life.
''Now, homeward, homeward" he
exclaimed. 'Homeward, homeward!
echoed the child, and Neptune jump
ed and barked at the welcome sound.
The fshermau's family were still
suPplicating Providence upon the bill
lock that overlooked the deep when
the old man started from his knees
and exclaimed:
1--WE are heard There Is speck
upon the distant waters!"
"Where, Where?" was echoed by
The group; and what he hoped to be
the absent boat. They eagerly strain
ed their eyes, but could gee nothing.
In few minutes, however, all per-
ceived sail; still! it was Impossible to
tell the direction in which its course
lay.
Then was the agony of suspense; il
continued, however, but for a short
time; a boat was evidently advancing
towards the shore; in few minutes
they could clearly perceive q man nj
the bow waving his hat above lis
head, and soon after the we'll known
bark of Neptune was borne to them BY
the breeze. The family rushed to the
extremity Of the rude pier, and the
loud huzza of the fisherman was am
swered By the "Welcome, welcome,
of his father, and the almost inartlcu
late seThank Godw Of his wife.
And now all was joy and happiness
in the cottage, where there had been
so much wretchedness. The fisher
man, his boy, and his dog, we're SAFE
from the perils Of the great deep; bal
he should return 70 answer to th'
many questions as to what had detaln
ed him so long beyond the usual hoHi
Of his return.
"Wait, my wife" said he, "unti
we have dressed aud refreshed our
selves, and you shall know all; bu
before we DO either, let US bless GoC
for Ills mercy, for out Of great dange
: has lie preserved me. ;"
Never was there a more sincere an'
; earnest prayer offered up to the Give
: of all goodness than ascended iron
: that humble dwelling. And whei
e the fisherman had told bis tale, hs'