Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-05-20
WRECK OF THE
PRISCILLA.

twain to deliver one mighty blow
Streets were transformed into leaping
rushing rivers by the terrible down
pour of rain, while the breakers on thai
lone, dreary New England coast seem
ed to defy the challenge Of the roaring
storm.
The fleet OF small fishermen had sour
rted to a safe anchorage early In the
afternoon.
May God help any ship and crew
that gets on lee shore tonight lads. "
sOberly remarked Capt Josh" Hard
ing, Of the lifeboat, to a few Of his men,
as he stepped to the door and peered
out into the opaque darkness
The Government at this time had not
erected the neat, cozy, live saving sta
ton with all its modern appliances to
rescue a crew from a stranded ship
which now adorns the long, barren
stretch OF sand, but the crew were
members of the fishing feet, and al
ways volunteered their services with
out promise Of reward. A whale boat
served their purpose then. and many
q despairing sailor had good cause to
praise her stanchness and the bravery
Of her iron-hearted crew.
A fash of lightning In the early even
ing had revealed large bark trying to
weather the wreck-bestrewn, fatal
Handkershoal, which caused the bluff,
rugged mariner to utter the fOregOin.
remarks.
'Where Is John Lawrence, tonight,
lads? He Is generally here a night
like this" he continued in an anxious
tone.
Johns wife amt very well, Cap'n;
30 heered as 1 cum daown," answered
Reuben Davis, one of the crew.
We'll, go up a couple of yen see. 1
should hate To man the boat without
John. He's never missed a trip yet"
said Capt. Harding, pacing the small
room which served them rs a shelter
from the storm and was located on the
beach. with the boat drawn up outside
Just above the reach Of the kissing,
seething waters, which seemed to re-
cede with despairing means at failing
to drag it into their depths.
BY the bedside OF his wife, holding
her thin. wasted hand between the
large, horny palms of his own, sat John
Onc VI tHC DldNcot VI tLS
volunteers.
"Oh, If l could but see Tom once
more, 1 could go easy. John" sh0
hoarsely whispered.
1.-The lads gone, Mary, n we don't
know where It's bin nigh onter tew
year sence heered he'd shipped In the
fo'cas'tle fer the West Injies, n lie
hasn't writ word hum sence."
II know he was bad boy, John.
But don't you think now that you WAS
a little hard on himT' she continued.
"He was all we had. you know"
The large eyes filed with tears, and
the frail form shook and trembled with
emotion, as the mother pleaded for her
wayward boy.
Il don't know what's the matter with
your wife, John. It's either clear case
OF broken heart or some new disease.
Medicine don't seem to reach it," the
doctor had said upon leaving a few
hours before.
You'll forgive him when I'm gene.
John, won't you? He didn't mean to be
badr' she said between her sobs.
At this moment the door softly open
cd and the Captains messenger
stepped in.
John, there's bark tibet can't
weather ther Han'kerchrf, n ther
Cap'n sent US arter ye,' said Davis.
.It's no use boys: can't leave her ter
night. She wouldn't be here when I
got back" said Lawrence softly. rub
bing his eyes and motioning toward the
white cot
The sick woman partly raised herself
and in gasping tones bade her husband
to go. They are some mothers boys.
John. Perhaps someone will do 1t for
our boy some day. Don't mind me,
John. I'll sleep while you are gone,"
she pleaded.
"I'n go, Mary. n ef Tom ever gifts
hum he's furglven," said Lawrence,
huskily, as he kissed her. and. putting
on his storm suit, went out into the
night with his heart lying like a stone
In his bosom.
She'll be better, John, maybe. when
we gifts back" said Abner Barker, try
ing to cheer him. as they wended their
wa yto the beach.
1--WE seen her for the last time, Alb
ner: she's failed fast sence noon,"
gloomIly answered Lawrence, and said
no more.
: After mighty struggle with the surf
the boat was launched just as the
storm began to abate, and the moon
gradually forced her light through the
heavy clouds and showed them the
doomed vessel pounding to pieces on
the shoals.
One by one the stars DeeDed forth in
their accustomed places and turned
Egyptian darkness into day.
As the boat drew near the bark was
seen to raise her stern high in the air,
and as cries and groans resounded loud
above the breakers from the fated crew
her masts went by the board. A sec
ond later with her back broken from
the awful blow, her houses washed
away, with everything gone, she 81
lently disappeared into the oceans
DEPTHS.
MY Godi this is terrlbler' said Capt.
Harding, in a voice of anguish
No cries were heard after the bark
went down, and after searching about
for some time the order was given to
head for the beach
AS the boat swung about in response
60 the helm John Lawrence jumped
quickly to his feet, and, shouting,
There's oner' grabbed floating bouy
by its hair and with n mighty effort
lifted it into the boat just as his foot
slipped and he pitched forward, strik-
ing his head on the gunwhale, and as
the blood gushed from the wound just
above his temple he knew no more.
One afternoon, nearly n month later
q number of the Iifeboat crew were seen