Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-05
"coxE his WAY, FATHER. "
A Touching Event in the Life Of the la!e Col
A. W. HiIdes.

A. W. HiIdes.
The sudden death of the late Col. A. W
Wildes, calls to mind a piece Of poetr,
which was recently written by him AM
which we publish below with his own intro
duction as follows:
During short visit to the seashore o
our State some years since with party o
friends, it was proposed one bright after
noon that we should make up party an,
go down the harbor on fishing excursion
1--WE accordingly started and after sailln,
about three miles young lady of the com
pauy declined to 60 further and requested
US to land her on one of the small island
of the harbor where she proposed to sta,
until our return. My little boy, then abou
four years old preferred remain
ing with her. Accordingly We
left them and proceeded SOM
Fix miles further. We remained GU
much longer than we intended, and as nigh
approached thick fog set in from the sea
entirely enshrouding US. Without compass
and not knowing the right direction t
steer, we CROPPED our way along for som,
hours, until we distinguished the breaking
of the surf on the rocks of one of tn
islands, but we were at loss to know
which one of them. l stood up in tn
stern of the boat, where | had been steer
ing, and shouted with all my strength.
listened moment, and heard through thu
thick fog and above the breaking of tn,
surf, the sweet voice of my boy calling
Come this way, father steer straight fol
me-Pm here waiting for you! W.
steered by that sound, and soon my little boy
leaped to my arms with joy, say
father and nestled to sleep on my bosom
The child and the maiden are both sleeping
now. They died in two short weeks after
the period 1 refer to, with hardly an inter
val of time between their death. Now
when tossed on the rough sea of life, with
out compass or guide, enveloped in fog and
surrounded by rocks, seem to hear the
sound of that cherub voice calling from the
bright shore, Come this way father steer
straight for me-. When oppressed with
sadness, take my way to our quiet Gene
terry, still, as l stand by one little mound
the same musical voice echoes from thence,
Come this way, father I'm waiting for
thee
/ remember voice ~
Which once guide1 my way,
Wheu lost on the sea
Eog enshrouded lay;
Twas the voice of a child,
AS he stood on the shore r.
IL sounded out clear
Ger the lark pillows roar
"COme this way, my father
Steer straight for me, -**.~:*
Here safe on the shore
am waiting for thee" -.
Remember that voice,
As il led our lone way
Midst rocks and through breakers
And high dashing spray;
How sweet to my he art ..4=%
Did il sound from the shore, ~.
As it echoed cut ear
DER the dark pillows roar,
"Come this way, my father 49,.
Stee straight for me.
Ueie safe on the shore
am waiting TO. thee"
| remember my Joy
Wheu held to my breast
The form of that dear one,
And soothed il to rest,
For the tones of my child
Whispered 30 in nay ear,
81 called you, dear father,
And knew You would hear
The voice of your darling,
Far DER the dark sea, .- +:
While sale on the SnOIt
1 was waiting for thee"
That voice now is hushed
Which then guided ny way,
The form then pressed
Is now mingled with clay;
But the tones of my child
Still sound in my ear,
~ am calling you. father "
O. can you not hear
> he voice of your darling,
As YOU toss on life's sea?
For on n bright shore
am waiting for thee" 49,.
remember that voice
In many a lone hour
1t speaks to my heart
With fresh beauty and power,
And still echoes far out
Ove life's troubled wave.
And sounds from the loved lips
That lie in the grave
"Come this way, my father!
q, steer straight for met 49,
Here, safely in Heaven,
l am waiting for thee!