The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-04-16

Ine question: SGuteu all tHe lltJle group
but the mother least of all. Maggie eX-
claimed reproachfully:
"Oh, Mamie Mamie q
And Rob Just took his mothers hand
and pressed it to his cheek and lips, as it
to remind her that he, her own boy, was
beside her
But the mother, lifted up into calm
region of peace and joy by the grand
realities she had been describing, answered
with scarely tremor in her voice
when the sea gives up its dead, my
Mamie y
aOh, mamma p exclaimed the child,
shrinking close against Margarets side,
and looking out upon the softly heaving
pillows with new feeling of awe,-"are
really dead people in the sea ?'
''All the land and all the sea, darling
replied tho mother, ''are full of the hid
ing places where God keeps the precious
bodies of His people until He shall call
them to arise, as Christ did. He knows
where they all are, and sends His bright
angels to watch over them, as they did
over the tomb in the garden. YES
Gods angels guard dear papa, asleep in
the sea, as well as his little Mamie, when
she sleeps in her little bed at home
Wise, sweet mother The awe-strick-
en- baby-brow cleared as the mothers ten
der faith scattered the first shadows of
gloom that might have destroyed the
little child's love for the great beautiful
sea- There were no morbid feelings in
Margarets soul, although but a half year
before her husbands boat had gone down
Just out of sight of land, and she had but
too good reason to be sure that she must
henceforward bear life's burden alone
But Margaret Alison was brave, true
woman, and she thanked God for her
strength, and for her children, too, although
foolish people pitied her for being "burden-
ed" with them. She only knew how they
made toll easy and sweet for her. To
rear his children honestly and intelligently
was something he had left her to do for
him; and as daily, hourly, some little trick
of voice or of manner, some passing ex-
preston of countenance, in one or the
other recalled his looks and ways, she felt
the more strongly that life powerful
enough thus to perpetuate itself in Others,
could not be lost, but only changed, il
death; and it made the departed seem
very near.
"Let us walk, mamma, said Maggie.
"Wont you?''
They rose and walked together along
the beach, Rob and Maggie on either side
of their mother, and little Nan skipping
close by the waters edge, laughing and
running away when the frothy little waves
now and then ran up on the sand and tried
to catch her by the feet.
i They paced slowly along the shining
beach toward the little chapel, now talking,
now silent. The Resurrection story seemed
to have taken strong hold of all their hearts,
so that whether they spoke or were silent,
it seemed to be present to their minds all
the time After while they turned, fac
ing toward the southern headland Di-
rectly, Rob, shading his eyes with his
hand, exclaimed
"Look, mother What is that black
spot off there-just this side of the Great
South Rock p
II see 1t e cried Maggie. .It IS NOV
ing 1t must be someone walking-some-
one that knows the path outside of the
rock wonder who it can be p
They paused watching; the children with
true juvenile curiosity, the mother at first
idly aud without much interest 1t was
lonely part of the coast, however, and the
sight of a stranger was unusual, SO she
fingered looking at the dim moving speck.
But as she gazed a strange, indefinable
interest grew up unconsciously; she was
drawn out of herself-her whole soul
seemed to be in her eyes. Thick-coming
fancies arose; all the stories she had heard
of wonderful deliverances from shipwreek
revived in her memory, she knew not why,
nor even asked whether the recollection
was tantalizing mirage or a gracious inti-
nation of joy in reserve Was it fancy, or
was there really familiar movement in the
figure whose outlines grew every moment
more distinct? Surely
She could endure the delay no longer, but
started away with swift steps along the
sand to meet the approaching stranger.
Rob and Maggie stood gazing after her
in astonishment, uncertain whether to fol-
low or not They saw her raise her arms
and bound more rapidly onward. Then
Rob knew
ooh, Maggie, Mamie come, come, it's
father Don't you see it must be ?"
They followed as fast as their little feet
could bear them; but long before they
could overtake their mother they saw her
clasped in the arms outstretched to meet her,
1t might have lasted but minute; or it
might have been hours long, that fight
across the sands, for all she knew. She
only knew he was there But when at
last she found herself in that fond embrace,
her strength gave way all at once; and
when the children came up they found her
sitting on the sand, very pale and weak,
and their father bathing her forehead and
gradually soothing her excited nerves.
The sight of the frightened children helped
to restore the Unsel6sh creature, aud in a
few minutes she was able to start home
ward, leaning on her husbands arm.
Little Mamie held her hand very tight,
and kept casting puzzled and wondering
glances at her father. After few min
utes the question gathering in that busy
brain burst forth in the words
"Mamma, will all the dead people come
up out of the see now p
1t was halfwhispered, but the sailor
heard the question, and, sturdy man as he
was, the tear came to his eye, as we'll as the
smile to his lip. With glance of loviag
intelligence towards his wife, he caught up
the wondering child, saying.
"Not dead, my baby Papa lost his boat
and all his shipmates, and drifted about on
a plank until vessel picked him up and
carried him half around the world; but
here be is again, sound and hearty, to hug
and kiss his little Nancy. The ship got
into port early this morning, he continued
to his wife, ''and l could not wait long be-
fore seeing you and the little ones, SO |
have walked from the Coye,-and good