Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-05-01

Sabbath morning. The wind bowls and
shrieks around New England church,
and the rain drives in gusts against the
small window sanes. A small congre-
cation is gathered to worship. The
clergyman is Offering the morning
PRAYER. Let US listen:
"Oh, Lord, God of the storm and of
, the sea, shield and protect the tempest
tossed mariner by thine cmnipotence.
Grant him haven OF safety and a har-
Dor of refuge"
Suddenly the clang OF bells breaks in.
! 1t is the village alarm that vessel is on
the rocks. The minister closes his
prayer and dismisses his congregation.
They rush to the beach.
Look Half mile cut, in the fog,
under the low scudding clouds is the
wreck of a bark rugged vessel. See her
crew clinging to her ropes and spars,
while the waves are washing over her
decks.
! A life boat is launched from the shore
and starts toward them. Anxiously we
watch its progress. Can it reach the
vessel? Now it mounts lofty wave
and now it disappears in hollow or is
hidden by the flying mist, but, see, it
goes forward steadily. 1t is almost
there. Look! They are taking the
! crew on board. "One-two-three-
four-tive -six-seven-. eight" counts
the minister. Eight forms are taken off
the doomed vessel; but can they get
back with that loaded boat through
the foam-fecked waves? They have
started landmarks; they come with
greater caution for the tempest is in
creasing in fury. They are nearer,
nearer. They are almost in. Their
keel touches the beach. Twenty strong
and willing hands seize and draw the
beat up far out of the reach of the
breakers.
How the gale roars, as with rage at
being deprived of its prey. More than
one prayer Of thanksgiving went up
from the hearts Of that group that the
lives Of the brave men had been spared.
Are they all here?" asks some one.
Zone is Left" answers weak voice.
One left! A shudder of horror runs
through that storm beaten company.
Must he see his comrades saved and
himself left to perish? Heaven forbid!
A manly form steps forth.
"Are there four men here who will go
with me and save that ones"
Silence falls on all around. It is
almost certain death to go out there
now. -.
At last, one by one, four brave fellows
step out.
I'VE will go, William Thompson,
says one of them, for it is William who
calls for volunteers.
Silently they shake hands and pre-
pare to launch their frail boat on their
errand OF mercy.
The solemn silence is broken by
feeble woman's voice.
80 ~oh wv, WIN, Will, my boy, my boy,
all have left. Frank was lost at sea
and now you are going to the same
death. Stay"
He turns toward her. It is the first
time Franks name has passed her lips
in years.
Mother" he says, tenderly, pet
haps this is some other motherless sailor
boy and if he is lost she will grieve as
you have grieyed for Frank. Duty calls
me and you would not have me stay.
You are right, my son, go; only I
can't bear the thought that / shall lose
you" and she fell exhausted into his
arms.
Take her, Nellie" he said, "and
care for her if don't come back" and,
in a low tone, as he laid his mother in
her arms, will you kiss me once be-
fore go?"
"Yes, and, Will, I'm given Frank
up, she said, in the same voice.
William turned to go on his perlious
journey. Trembling hands pushed
their boat out, and eager, loving eyes
watched them as they pulled further
and further away.
Now they have reached the ships
side. They climb on the wet decks and
disappear. Why are they so long gone?
A moment seems an hour See, there
they are again. How slowly they move.
They bear form to the gunwale and
gently lower it into the life boat. They
turn their prov shoreward. They have
left the lee Of the wreck and are out on
that storm-darkened water. They are
coming, nearer and nearer they are,
tossed by the white and maddened sea!
They go down in an awful hollow.
Where are they? A cry goes up from
the shore
Boat ahoy!"
No answer. They are all lost. No.
Once more that hail goes out on the
wings of the storm.
BOAT ahoy!"
This time comes the answer:
Gall right"
A few minutes more and then the
question rings out:
=" Have you got him alive?"
A moment of suspense. Some one is
standing in the stern-sheets. It is
William. He answers in q strange
voice, whose trembling can be heard
even in that wild commotion:
Eyes. And tell-mother and-Nellie
it is Frank"
Got a 1915 Pearl with His Dinner.
Edward Malley was eating a dinner
at Heublein's recently, and among the
first dishes served was oysters on the
half-shell. He picked up one of the