The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-05-19
SEAMAN'S FAITH.

SEAMAN'S FAITH.
Many, many years ago ON the coast
Of the Baltic sea, where the beautiful
wooded mountains of the resort Zoppot
raise their heads, there lived heather
fisher named Trasiku Wild and rude rs
tho sea which, autumn and spring,
broke in storm dashed fury ON the dunes,
was the old man; weather hardened
were his soul and hand; defiant and in
eXorable as the cliffs, his character; nc
man had ever heard IL good word from
his mouth. His hut was built high on
the sand furlorn and frail, Il plaything
for the tempest that roared around ii
and Il coveted prey of the waves that
struggled up higher toward it every
year and eagerly tore away piece after
piece of the narrow dune that was the
foot and support Of the hill. Yes, the
sea was like il cunning and faithless
woman whe stretched out her white
arms tmeatcningly and coaXingly To
the fisher, who. full of entieing favor
threw the rich treasures of shipwreckcd
vessels into his lap, and then, with i'm
patient haste, strove to draw him and
all his precious belongings down to her
in the cool, death still, crystal palace.
Trasiko knew the mighty deities who
often raised their SNOW crowned heads
above tho water, angry on smiling,
| wreathed with rushes i'll the sunshine
or driving furiously III their shell form
cd ehariots over the waves mt night,
amid thunder and lightning. He made
sacrifices To them when he needed their
help and royiled them when they re
fused it.
Tho old man had stored up great
wealth in his cabin during the long
years, hut the loyelest pearl that ever
mans eyes looked upon did not lie with
these treasures Of the dead, but stood
like an angel of light, living and bios
soming ON the hill, gazing with long
ing blue eyes out upon the sea AZ il
she were sure Of seeing sail loom up
at last upon the horizon with Dolly
erancc" as skipper and Happiness a,
cargo. Swanada was the fisher $ colder
haired daughter. the most beautiful
flower that had ever sprung from THU
stern c1iT land, the valued goal toward
which tho youths Of the coast and o
the ncighboring islands made their way
through wind and waves.
But Trasiso kept his hard hand OF
the lovely flower and inspected the suit
ors with his cunning, greedy eyes
There was none rich enough to pur
chase such wonder plant.
Swanada took it with indifference
Her faeo showed an occasional heetinl
shadow, but in her heart all remained
peaceful and cool She waited for hin
whom she had seen in dreams, earnest
and convincing, gentle and proud al
once A dark cloak hung from his shout
ders. Where his boat tossed the SET
sparkled and the clouds of HEAVIER
changed to gold and floated III the shape
of "a cross above the strangers head.
Hi How the tempest shrieks, how the
sea thundcrs against the shore!
Trasiko leans his bearded chin on
both hands and curses the gods He
knows how tho bare teeth of the sea
cut into the coast. Then he hurries
down eagerly. 1t seems to him that he
sees by the glare Of the lightning a
small boat battling with the waves
When he returns, his face is sterner
than usual and his back is bent with an
unaccustomed burden. He drags youth
with him--he knows not if it is god or
man. Precaution urged him to the res
cue that he might not risk running him
self completely with the all powerful
spirits.
Swanada lifts tho fircbrand, and as
she looks on the stranger : face it seems
to her that Il warm sunbeam has sud
denly fallen into her heart. II becomes
bright III the cottage, rs if it We're bath
cd in flaming purple light 1t comes
from the little cross that glows On the
seaman breast.
And when the sun shone again in the
heavens the young Christlieb looked
into the blue eyes Of the heather fisher
maid; two hearts were exchanged, a
troth was plighted for time and eterni-
ty and sworn to upon tho cross. The
foreign seaman went boldly to Trasiko
and asked him for the hand Of his
daughter. He was poor, he said. lie
] }
amber ON the Baltic coast
Then came shrill, evil laugh from
the old man s lips.
600 your way home again, " he cried
scornfully Il have never met one who
could dig up gold with his finger nails.
He who would marry my daughter
must do something more than hunt for
scraps Of yellow resin +"
And what shall do, Father Trasi-
ko? No work is too hard that is done
for my love and God. Christ and all
the saints will help me.
Sharp as a dagger's point were the
fishers eyes. His glance swept over the
shore, from which the tide had again
torn large piece. After minute the
sand dune slid down after it, and Ira
sikos hut sank nearer to the sea II
was an unpleasant thought for the old
man that he must get to work and build
himself new nest. He laughed def
antly:
IF your gods can do so much, you
boaster, then make this dune firm In
spite Of the sea. Then / will give you
Swanada.
Christlieb was white.
Father Trasiko, such a thing is
impossible" he stammered
Then go your way, you dullard,
and put Swanada out Of your mind "
And will You keep your word?'
Again the old man laughed loudly.
II will DO food for the fishes on the
day that break it. =
Give me a twelvemonth for it. -
srasiko nodded Grossly He saw how
the young mans eyes shone as if with
prophecy. Who could tell, perhaps the
Christian pnda Nyere 1nnrn willing 10