The Opelousas courier., 1884-09-13
NATURES mIGHrY WRATH.
The Approach and Awful Work ola Tor-
nado Wildly Described,

was there ever a more peaceful
scene than this? Under this summer
sky the young grass fairly springs. In
this sunshine the young lamb frolics.
In this perfect day every farrghousGs
a little world of peace and content
ment-every bird tunes it's voice in
praise-each tree seems proud of the
new dress which the spring time has
givep it.
On who has battled in war-on
who has been followed by an impla-
cable enemy, would surely select this
place as the spot or which he would
be safe from every danger. Every
thing looks so restful! Everything
speaks SO loudly Of security and peace.
See!
A cloudhas suddenly crept into the
clear blue sky. You have seen the
same thing a hundred times in your
life without giving it a thought. You
would pass it I'VE now, but for a tri-
fling circumstance. The horse grazing
in the meadow lifts her head, shifts
the air, and ntters a Whitney in which
you a detect a note of alarm. The
birds have ceased singing as suddenly
as if a gun had been fired, and the
sheep slowly bunch themselves into a
corner Of the field, as if the presence of
an enemy had been detected.
What does it mean?
Look to the southwest. The little
cloud which you saw q moment be-
fore has increased a hundred fold.
Over head-to the north-to the east
the sky is of the same lazy blue, and
the sun shines the same as before.
Butin the southwest there is something
to awe and silence you. The lead
colored cloud has grown to a blue
black, and it is still rising and spread
ing. In its center suddenly appears a
cloud of lighter shape. Watch It'll
There is no thunder, but fiery tongues
dart in and out Of this cloud. There
is no wind, yet you see its edges torn
and rent and brought together again.
Behind you are the peaceful hillsides
and valleys-orchards in blossom
happy Observation-Disclosures laughing
gleefully as they pull down the vines
of the wild jessamine-the white-hair-
ed grandfather and grandmother look
ing out upon the perfect day with
feelings of gratitude.
Hushl. There comes a stiffness in
which even the note of the bluebird
would sound harshly. Not a leaf
quiVers-not a sound of living thing
reaches your ears. The horse stands
facing the wrathful cloud, head up and
nostrils quivering, while the sheep
pack themselves more closely and
hang their heads. You see the birds
darting here and there in alarm, and
the ~low-sailing buzzards are lifting
themselves until they are mere specks
above your head.
A moan from the skies-a shivering
of the earth-a roar and a crashl For
ten seconds you saw the air full of
destruction-you felt yourself a feath-
er in the claws of a tiger, you gasped
and struggled like a drowning man.
It has passed. Open your eyes to see
the sunshine again. Struggle to your
feet, bruised and battered,t to gaze upon
the same signs of peace as met youl
eyes FIVE minutes since.
Heavens! but what a transforms
tionl An army of iends could not
have worked such havoc in a week.
Where are the farmhouses? Swept
from their sites as if they had been
built of straw. Where are the bloom.
ing orchards? Afew uprooted trees
and branches trunks make answer.
Where are the happy children-the
strong-limbed men the old and weak ?
Follow to the northwest and you will
find their bruised and lifeless bodiesl
It is sunshine again. but what
mockery! Fences, trees, houses, barns,
sheds and orchards have been dashed
to the earth and scattered for miles.
The scythe of death has cut a swarth
a hundred miles long and half a mile
wide, manning, bruising, killing-ayel
blistering the very sod of the earth
with its vengeful blade!
And whatp Nothing-only that
the living will come in and bury the
dead-the tears of the widow and faith
erIess will be dried-the mighty wrath
Of nature viii be appeased, and the
blossoms and the sunshine and the
peaceful scenes will come again-Dc-
troit Free Press.
The Three apples.
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