The Washington times., 1894-06-03
lery silver. Then the foam sank again down

fiery silver Then the foam sank again down
deep into the mist.
'.Suddenly there came boom, followed by
glare across the heavens.
81 knew what that meant.
ga vessel ashore cried, Sin that surf, on
those rocks. God have mercy on those on
board
'There came a loud knocking at my door.
"'Who is there?' l asked.
"'It is l. came the voice Of my father.
Open, beg OF YOU.
II went 10 the door, raised the latch and
admitted him. My mother was with him.
They were fully dressed.
"'Boomr came through the white mis-,
from the vessel pounding upon the beach.
''Yes, now i could hear the vessel as she
beat her brains out.
"Then the heavens were illumined By q
second rocket.
".Did you hear? Did you seeY asked my
father.
Yes said 1. its vessel ashore
"'We must go to that vessel he SAID reso-
lutely. They will need our help. You will
go?'
"'Yes.' 1 said.
''And l. too cried my mother.
"AIy father tried to dissuade her.
This is no woman's work, re said.
"But she would not be frightened.
!" I will die with you.' she said resolutely
"Out into the storm we rushed, down to
the beach. where the frightened villagers
stood looking vainly out toward the doomed
vessel
They ran toward US as we approached.
They could not go out in the boat, they said
1t was death.
".At least" said my father, you will help
me to get the boat into the surf
But they would not even help get the boat
into the surf.
.Tt Il. IT
will not help to murder YOU, they cried.
"'Then stand aside and together we three
pushed the boat into the surf. through the
rocks to the open sea. then jumped into her
and put or over the ffercely rolling waves.
NJ mother and myself took the oars. My
father stood at the bow looking out ahead.
leone back, came faint echo from the
shore.
"a great wild wave came crashing down
upon US.
Nearer and nearer.
''The boat cried out, almost, it seemed, like
human being in terror.
''The wave struck the boat.
''Fhe cold water rushed over my head.
II went down-down.
81 struggled to the surface.
For a second 1 caught sight Of my father
and mother as they struggled in the embrace
of death.
COulu Sce tuclI ewes luIutu u tu6 ldSI
toward me.
Come, their eyes cried to me. Come.
81 tried to cry out to them. 1 tried to cry
to them 10 wait for me; that We would die to-
gether in each others arms.
Il struggled 10 get nearer to them"
=
Then something seemed to snap in my head
and oree moro st ,od on the beach.
You are faint. she said.
My lather.' l nuttered. "whero is he?"
Your iather.''
''Yes, yes the Old man. where is he?"
'';ee, he is stumbling along there"
Like enc in q dream, he came slowly to-
ward US.
Terror and pleasure Supplied me.
His eyss rested on the snow in front of him.
The,. suddsnty lie raised them to mine.
he threw up his arms; he started forward
he cried out. cry OF peace. happiness, a cry
from soul flowing over with eSultation.
MY father s. eyes looked deep into mine.
My fathers arms were about my neck.
AT last" he cried. '.at last. my son, back
TO me. and now rest
And with Il low moan the old man-Ayrault,
my father-fel back upon the snow and was
dead.
And nav often NY father and my mother
come 20 me when the moon shines in upon
Bly couch. ami we sit together in the moon
light, anc tie tells ire the old story; how dur
lug his lifetime my mother and mad come to
him 70 minister 10 him: how l had prom
isei to come back to him SO that ne might
rest.
I asked him every night if I am to live on
forever. but he answers not.
SO we hold earh others bands, and the
spirits in the moonlight sing TO us, and We
are happy.
l, even I, am happy though they do keep
rae locked M here in n cell night and day
New Yor:- Sun