Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-09-05
HOW HE WON HER.

Toward the close of an autumn day
the gallant ship Columbia was stand.
ing in toward the Atlantic coast.
Her rusty chains and weather-beaten
sides gave ample proof that her voy.
age had been 4 very long one. Land
WAS not yet IN sight, but the captain
said it would be spoken within
twenty-four hours, and his passengers
were in the highest spirits.
These were but three in number:
a gentleman somewhat advanced in
years, his daughter, a beautiful girl
of 10 and Mrs. Beaumont, her COM
panion. They were new grouped to-
gether on the quarterback, admiring
the autumn sunset. a thin golden
mist veiled the sky, assuming toward
the west soft green tingc, and
changing into deep and glowing
purple, crossed by streaks of brilliant
crimson in the immediate vicinity Of
the sun.
How beautiful" exclaimed Miss
Hazleton. ''Did you ever see such a
sight, father?"
1T is indeed lovely" said Mrs.
Beaumont. "And yet, glorious as is
this spectacle, my dear, fear it por.
tends no good. The last time l
crossed the ocean an evening just
like this uShered in 4 fearful tenn.
pest"
Miss IIazlcton's face lost its gayety,
and she looked inquiringly at her
father
Mrs. Beaumont is right" he said.
81 do not like the golden haze, nor
that bank of crimson clouds which
yoa think so beautiful. We shall
certainly have gale before morning.
But there is nothing to fear. Our
ship is stanch and new, and the cap
tain an experienced officer; the worst
thing that can happen is delay I'm
entering port. AS it looks now, we
may not reach Boston tomorrow"
Il hope you are mistaken, Mr..
Hazleton," said the captain, ap.
preaching at that moment. "We
are only few hours sail from the
city, and the gale may favor our
passage"
"a father is more timid than one
of your profession, captain" said Mr.
Hazelton; and he drew his daughter
near him and kissed her forehead.
Il should be anxious too" replied
the other, ''if foresaw the danger.
But you may continue to watch the
sunset without fear. I do not think
there will be much of a storm"
The party continued on the quarter
deck until after dusk. Slowly the
sun sank, and yet, long after his dis
appearance, the western horizon con-
tinued to blaze with splendor. Grad
ually this faded away, and masses of
dark gray clouds covered the sky.
The air grew damp and chilly, and
the wind came in moaning gusts.
At about eleven in the evening
Mary Hazelton, who had retired early,
was awakened by the rapid tread of
feet overhead. the creaking Of blocks
and the shouts of the officers. She
arose and dressed quickly At the
door Of her State-room she met Mrs
Beaumont, who had come to seek her.
"What can be the matter?" asked
Mary, "Where is my father?"
''Ile has gone on deck, my dear.
There Is terrible storm and the shin
is in great peril"
AT this moment Mr.. Hazelton ap-
peared. His clothes were covered
with brine. AS he entered the cabin
the ship gave sudden turn, then
Quivered in every timber, and a tor
rent of water poured down the COM
panion-way. Both women screamed
with fright.
"Oh, father, is there any danger?"
cried Mary.
81 am afraid so, dear: we are nearer
the shore than we thought, and there
are breakers ahead. II we cannot
keep clear of them we are lost"
Mary grew deadly pale but did not
speak.
THE Captain is doing all he can,"
continued Mr.. Hazelton. ''Our ship
Is stout craft and carries her sail
nobly. If nothing overhead gives way
we shall escape"
An hour passed. The gale had
not abated, and the struggles Of the
ship were by no means lessened.
Every now and then gigantic wave
struck it with fearful force. Sud-
senly e crack like clap OF thunder
was heard.
"What can that be?" cried Mary,
IS the ship plunged desperately to
leeward.
1T is the foretopsail. I fear, torn
n ribbons. God preserve u.s." said
Mr. Hazelton, rushing on deck.
Mary hesitated q moment and then
,ciIowed him. She looked instantly |
.oward the. forcmast. The sail was
,ndeed gone. Clinging to railing
oorad oaoerlv around. The night l