The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-29

The storm swelled higher and higher,
and toward midnight ragged round the little
New England cottage with appalling fury.
TIE hickory fire had burned down to few
hickering embers, which threw fitful glow
over the Thanksgiving table, and over the
bowed heads of the three dsconsolate
mourners as they sat there in their terrible
desolation.
This was their Thanksgiving day, begun
in hope and joyous anticipation, but ended
in the verv blackness of utter despair.
"Oh, can't stand it, sobbed Lsbeth;
81 can't, can't; it's cruel-wicked- wrong.
He was all hai-my only child-my dar-
ling. precious boy. that never gave his old
mother cross word or caused her mo-
ments trouble in his life; my baby that
used to sleep on my bosom, and lay his little
head against my cheek-an' now he's in the
river-in the cold, black water, and we're
here, living, thinking breathing, by the
warm fire. Oh, can't stand it, l can't; l
wish could die, and end my mseryp'
Reuben was too deeply affected by this
sudden outgush OF mothers grief to speak
single word of comfort, and his own
heart was too deeply wounded. For few
moments the three sal side by side in sor-
rowful silence; then the old man rose up,
and taking down the family Bible, opened
it, and read: "Come unto me all We that la
Dor and are heavy laden, and l will give you
rest"
Precious, ife-giving words! We read
them night and morning, and hear them
Sabbath after Sabbath from the sacred desk,
yet never know their full meaning, their
true consolation, until some great calami
sweeps away every earthly prop and stay,
and we have nothing else 10 lean upon. Ali
this was felt In that little New England cot
tage, as the old mans voice rose up like
signing breeze in the din of the winter tenn
pest, and on the great surging deep of their
hearts fell sad but peaceful calm
Still the storm ragged on; the winds rose
and fell, and whistled round the gables,
driving the snow before them in great freez-
ng drifts. 1t would soon be morning; rose
and gold and purple would dapple the cas-
tern horizon, and dispense the storm and
darkness; but over the night of their DESC
lation. no morning would ever break. Was
that step in the snow or only the voice of
the tempest? step surely, for it comes
on, crunching through the freezing drifts,
and passes on the step with a quick, deter
mined sound. And now there is a rap, short,
sudden and eager.
Reuben rises; it is some of the neighbors
with tidings of the lost steamer; news that
thu body of his boy has been found, perhaps.
he opens the door-lhe wind sweeps in,
bringing with it cutting shower of sleet,
and also happy, hopeful face.
How are you, father?'
The resonant voice rings through the ST.
lent gloom like peal of sudden joy. The
old father hears it, and falls forward in his
sons embrace; the poor mother hears it,
and rushes forward half frantic with de-
light; Faith hears it in the solitude Other
little chamber, and hastens out, her sweet
face alternating between smiles and tears.
"Oh, Simeon-oh, my good boy they
told me you was dead, drowned lost in the
river; they wanted to break your old moth
er's heart; but you wouldn't let 'em; you've
come back, Simeon, never to leave me
again."
Never to leave you again, motherhood
willing" He held her to his bosom for
moment. and then went round to where
Faith stood.
Now, father and mother" he said, his
voice vibrating with suppressed emotion, as
he took the young girls hand, ''et me tell
you OF my deliverance-for deliverance it
was-from the very jaws of death. 1t was
Gods providence first, and next to that
Faiths little Bible. She gave ii to me the
morning we parted, and always kept it
about me, and it proved precious taisman.
| went on board the Ocean Queen this
morning, with the rest of the poor passen-
gers, but just as she was leaving the wharf
found that had left my overcoat hanging
for the coat, but Faiths little Bible was in
the pocket and could not part with that,
80 Jumped ashore just as the boat pushed
off. And now, father,' he continued, turn
ing to the old man, who sat in his leather
arm chair with clasped hands and streaming
tears, Il will now say, with yoer permission
that which my heart has long felt. l have
succeeded in my efforts, even beyond my
most ardent expectations; in the far west
n 1frNrf Nlo ~
by fertile acres sufficient to yield us all we
need. l love you, Faith; l have always
loved you, ever since that winter night when
mother brougt you home to be my little
sister. Be more than sister now-be my
wife, Faithr'
The auburn head went down upon his
shoulder like a flash of sunlight. Lisbeth
stood in silence, unable to comprehend the
scene, but after while the happy truth
burst upon her, and she clasped her arms
about them with a joyful cry: "My own
precious children, and we shall all live to-
gether and never part again, snan't we Sim
comp"
''Never part again, mother, until death
parts u.s. said the young man, solemnly.
Sect his new slippers, FAITH" cried the
happy mother, laughing and crying by turns,
they'll be all the more acceptable now
think heap of 'em. Simeon-she most
worked her eyes out over 'em.''
Simeon put on the velvet slippers, and, sat
down in his old place.
snow, Faith, run for the gravy, while l
stir up the fire; We'll have our Thanksgiving
dinner after all.o
Thanksgiving breakfast, should say
mother," laughed Simeon.
well, it'll do just as well--weve seen
great many in our day, but this'll be the
happiest one of all, won't it Reuben2'
''The happiest one of all. Lsbeth," said
the old man, smiling through his tears.