Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-10-23

thy strength of mind. II any one could
bear the load Of such q dreadful tale, thou
couldst Ny brain, elias, was far TOO weak
Tor IT; and see 1t Is my duty to tell it to
thee"
The widow paused as her thoughts re-
verified to that which she had to con1de
for few minutes the tears rained down
her hollow cheeks; she then appeared to
have summoned resolution and to have
regained strength.
,"Philip, it was Of your father I would
speak. 1t is supposed-that he was
drowned--at sea"
"And was he not, motherY" replied
Philip, with surprise.
ooh, mol"
"But he has long been dead, motherf''
'No-yes-and yet-no,' said the wild
ow, covering her eyes, Her brain wan
ders, thought Philip, but he spoke again:
"Then where is he 1notheri"
The widow raised herself, and tremo1
visibly ran through her whole frame, az
she replied:
"1n living Judgment"
The POOR woman then sank down again
upon the pillow, and covered her head
with the bedclothes, as IL she would have
hid herself from her own memory. Philip
was SO much perplexed and astounded,
that he could make no reply. A silence OF
some minutes ensued, when, no longer
able to bear the agony Of suspense, Philip
faulty whispered:
'The secret, mother, the secret; quick,
let me hear itl'
II can now tell ALL Philip" replied his
mother, in solemn tone Of voice. "Hear
me, my son. Your fathers disposition
was but too, like your own. Oh, may his
cruel fate be lesson to you, my dear,
dear child he Yves bold, daring, and,
they say, a first rate seaman. He was not
born here, bit in Amsterdam; but he
would not i've there because he still ad.
hered to the Catholic religion. The Dutch,
you know, Philip, are hereties, according
to orr creed. II y now II years OF more
that he bailed for India In his fine ship the
Amsterdammep, with q valuable cargo II
was his third voyage to India, Philip, and
1t was to have been, If 1t had SO pleased
God, his last, for he had purchased that
good ship with only part Of his earnings,
and one more voyage would have made his
fortune. Oh, how often did We talk over
what we would do Upon his return, and
how these plans for the future consoled
me at the idea Of his absence, for I loved
him dearly, Philippe was always good
and kind to lne-and after he had sailed,
how hoped for his return!
"The lot of sailors wife Is not to be
envied. Alone and solitary for 30 many
months, watching the long wick of the
candle, and listening to the bowling Of
the wind-foreboding evil and accident
wreck and widowhood. He had been gone
about six months, Philip, and there was
still long dreary year to wait before
could expect him back. One night you,
my child, were fast asleep; you were my
only solace, my comfort in my loneliness
had been watching over you in your
slumbers: you smiled and half pronounced
the name of mother; and at last kissed
your unconscious lips, and I knelt and
prayed-prayed for Gods blessing on you,
my child, and upon him too--little think
"
SO fearfully cursed"
The widow paused for breath, and then
resumed. Philip could not speak. His
lips were sundered, and his eyes riveted
upon his mother, Us he devoured her words.
IT left you and went down stairs into
that room, Philip, which since that dread
full night has never been reopenell sal
me down and read, for the wind wal
strong, and when the gale blows, sail
or's wife can seldom sleep. 1t was past
midnight, and the rain poured down.
felt unusual fear-I knew not why.
rose from the couch, and dipped my fin.
ger in the blessed water, and I crossed
myself A violent gust of wind roared
round the house, ,pnd alarmed me still
more. 1 had a. painful, horrible forebcd
ing; when, of sudden, the windows and
window shutters were all blown in, the
light was ektinguished, and was left in
utter darkness. I screamed with fright
but at lat I recovered myself, and was
proceeding toward the window that ]
might reclose 1t, when whom should be
hold, slowly entering at the easement, but
your faith, er-Philip Yes, Philip, II
was your fsstherl"
"Mercifu,l Godp' muttered Philip, in {
low tone a most subdued to whisper
81 knew not what to think-he was il
the room; and although the darkness WA
intense, HIS form and features We're az
cloar and las defined as If it We're MONDAY
Fear wou Id have inclined me to recoi
from-hGi loved presence to fly toward
him. emained on the spot where was
choked With agonizing sensations. Wher
he had entered the room, the windows and
shuttle irs closed of themselves, and the can
die us relighted-then thought 1t wal
: his pparition, and I tainted on the floor
Ehen recovered I found myself OF
the couch, and perceived that cold--oh
how cold-and dripping hand was claspet
IN mine. This treasured me, and forgo
y ie supernatural signs which accompanied
Ais appearance. imagined that he hat
been unfortunate, and had returned home
I opened my eyes, and beheld my lovet
husband, and threw myself into his arms
His clothes We're saturated with rain;
felt as If had embraced !ce-but nothin
4 can check the warmth Of woman's love
4 Philip. He received my caresses. but h
caressed not again; he spoke not, bu
! looked thoughtful and unhappy. wi
4 liam-William, cried I; speak, Vande,
!, decken; speak to your dear Catherine
81 will, replied he, solennly, for n
4 time is short
" No, no, you ntuss not go to sea agar
4 you have lost your vessel; butt you a,
safe. Have I not YOU againY,