Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-01-26
THE OLD FISHER IAN.
T. L. .RRY SMITH.

The OLD FISHER i IN.
T. B'.RRy SMITH.
Seeing the say a, -'n,i,e red
The old man SHOOK his II arg head:
IL fear a storm, tod ~ - h, si,i
All day hush hung over earth.
The birds quite erased ih,ir s,hrs %: mir,',--
OF song aud sans there seemed '''.'rih.
The night drew uu. ,ni u c'.a''
Slow faded ont th.' us>ic-u nanr
As fades lii,'s ,f'si. from 81, nag ir.,'.''.
Tie old man sat The fac hirih,
And watched the iirr. \ ,t:licu SIKH
Ofwina came. weak - ar infant ,'r,.
.-Dids hear II: 'ii5s'i hear ~. wal
SO weak and low of the coming g:.i,
\ storm Is born. h, the Holy Graft.
4 storm is born sunir~ here. somewhere
io not know-I DO not care
tsui waiiiny winds It's birth declare.
The sire ~ ose and from the door
Locked ou, tow Sr the oceans shore
Whence came n ccascless sail.n rnaT-
The sky o'crfeau W is clear, tho dim.
Hut en- the sunsets purple rim
Stood clouds like mountains dark and grim.
Tie awful calm that had crcwhil.
Held all the world in durance vile
Was flown before thar irowning pile
The wind that came along the lea
From DER the face of the deep wi L. sea
Ticklet the child at the old mans knac.
Tickled the child because the air
Brought GOODNESS 10 her cheek so fair
And ran Its fingers thro' her hair.
But the old man groancd and hcarei a sigh
Ana only heart its ominOus cry
As through the house II hurled by.
He'd heard that sound null manv 4 time.
And knew il WAS no pleasant chime
Meaning no more .ltam II icsial rhyme:
BUT something Stem rs pledges. said
by living ones around the bed
OF one about TO Join lie dead.
The rising winds subdued refrain
Told coming wrath distinctly plain
The wrath OF wind ON land anI main.
And now and then iiiful flush
Would o 'er the rugged cloud banks rnsli
As DER maiden : cheek blush.
80 Gafi, r. the gsandchild sweetly said
As back she tossed her curly head,
II know what makes the clouds look red:
The angels have their homes inside
And light their lamps a; eNeniide
4. we 80 mere WHERE we abide:
land when All angel opens his door
To pass, TIE light shines out before
And makes the clouds iorn red all Ger.
The old man sn He'd and laced his hand
On the curry head that so simply planned
Reason for what men scarce understand:
And turning back he closed the door
And took the seat red had before.
Telling his grandchild's saying DER.
And then he spoke of signs without
How ominous blew the winds about.
And said rhcre'd he \ storm no doub:
An hour passed on. And In Its flight
Came on the usual things of night:
season OF prayer anu TODes q WIitc.
The gray haired sire his bib;e spread
And from il as his won't was. read.
Ofthings that Jesus did aud said;
Then bowed low his family small.
He lifted up his human call
To him who ruleth all.
At first he pray ed in feeble tone:
But with the nightw ind's rising moan
Grew more impassioned SIN his own.
Till IL was anxious rs the wall
lntoncd without by that Wild gale
so frau1ht with harm FOR mast aud sail.
One moment seemed he gale 20 Cease;
The sire amid 1t asked Gods peace
And all arose from of their knees.
The child was then undre ssed and led
Enrnbed in white to her little bed.
Afterher childish prayer she't. said.
But unto them-the older grown
Came slumber not. They heard the moan
ofwinds arouad them fierceIy blown.
And so they sat The hours through
" me "aiic' piC "iius "iihh a'' ANY,,
That made them wall In spirit too
Ana Then again across The hoor
The old man went and Oped the door
Looking toward the oceans shore
No child now stands beside his knee
But on lis arm stands leaning she
Whose love vas his while lii, should he.
Aso,eT 4 ma5man.s face asmiIs
wa, some sup a", n. UNI, s, n'sn. ''''A
But perish mid this dreadful wraek
..Hark' hear yon how the pillows roar
How Of, we've heard them thus before.
1.-THE far off sky seems wildl7 rife
win herces' elemental strife