New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
THE STORM.

nNf
ing mists inland. Night fell amid the clash OF
wind and sea- A narrow track winding round
tho cliffs led past a cottage: light shOne from |
tho windows, and in the kitchen were three |
women The youngest lay in a trucke bed. a
babv against her breast; an old woman tall. |
eaunt and white haired. sat at table the Bible
before her, muttering over familiar passages |
with awkward lips; the third moved softly about
the room preparing supper. She stood mo-
mont by the bed as the child broke into long. |
low wall.
"Poor lamb" she sad me frets as if your
breast cold to him."
"Naybe It's cold" replied the sick girl indif- |
ferently.
AYE. but not tonight. Man." the other pro- |
tested and his father out in a storm like this"
.'The Lord have mercy on the lad" exclaimed
the old woman. glancng up: hes got that
scamp Rab Tapp wi him in the boat. Scores o |
times I've told Joss 'twould be safer to sail long
o. decent folk"
Nan stirred uneasy "Rab's as good as the |
,es, O. EN-" she muttercd land long ways |
handler /
Handy wi his tongue belize" retorted the
old woman: there amt his equal for lying in
this here parish: tits only reasonable that the
Lord should be angered agin him; though may
he the Almighty will mind that Joss has been
a good son to me and spare the boat
She was silent moment, listening to the con-
tnuous clamor Of the massive doorboits that
barred back the storm. Aye. that Rab. she
burst out fiercely. "they should cast him over
board the same the men o Joppa cast the
prophet Jonah. son of Amittai. Who knows but
the Almighty may he speaking now by the voice
o. the wind? Cast him out. cast him out. and
the raging waves OF the sea shall foam upon MS
shame"
How dare zee speak such words as them.
cried the girl springing up in bed. THE I"rd
Amt no Moloch To devour mems lives"
And what's Rab Taps life TO thee" replied
the other sternly. 1T i'll becomes a mother with
her first chile at breast to De taxing SUI"
thought for furren mers lives"
Come come mother" interposcd the third
woman "Iet Nan b.: supper's on the table. and
you'd feel better for snatch o sommat.
81 did we'll to name zee Martha cried the old
woman turning on her. Your thoughts De 700
much taken up wi the things o TINS world
What call have for bite or sup when the great
starved sea is hungerng after my son aye
but Joss lad lad she continued To herself
land you that fond o whstling
Martha made no answer. but. pouring out a
c,,p of tea brought ii 10 the sick girl Happen
twill nuench your thirst bit. Nam she SAID.
"'Taint that kind o. thirst" replied the o'her
YEARLY
take it all the same lass Martha urged
and the girl drank
It's salt as the sea-" she exclaimed P"H''"6
the cup from her with shudier Seems az
II knowed the taste . drowning
"Au1 well you may exclaimed the Old woman
~whon your man is forced 50 nigh to It,
Joss will not DC drowned replied her daush-
tc--in-law carclcs IS. "What-ior SHOULD ne ~
drowned? Oh. my Cod she ended. with abrupt
change II voice. as the hurryins scream % '"'
s,or,, ,vronchod its way through the cottage.
"why lid ser make the sea-" Shf Huhs h'i''
back in the bed and the child began once more
to cry but she paid no heed to it,
"Poor heart said Martha stopping ana rais-
Ing the baby in her arms "hc frets over thihES'
She walked to and fro In the little Kl''he'' "''
fac dressed close against the chiids' her SUI
brov, hair ningling with his soft downy nun
"My own chile" she continued meditauV''y'
"was wonderful contentsome.
"your own chilc' exclaimed the harsh-voiced
sid woman why your own chile was Dorm
dead"
"Her was never dead to me-" Martha an
swercd gently Il used to talk deal 10 hcr ~
ing there 50 close and trustful agin my heart.
Ru, nov, 7 sorter feel tina, if me and jim had
another chile may be 'twould be born dea"'
awe and no wonder" rctorted her mother;
"a more shiiilcss body than Jim am come
across. always trapesng round In searching
work and never finding it. He's poor sicK'
the sea never gave him no call and you can s'
here and eat YOUR victuals content come Storm
clear"
Tn. SICK girl raised herself on her arm: