Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-27
The Last Voyage


Thought I stood with an immense con-
course. on the shores OF a dark rolling
river, that met the open sea short dis
lance away 10 lose its waters in the great
ocean
The people were busy and active, rush
ing 20 and fro. singing. shouting. moan
ing, cursing and struggling together as
they pushed and pulled each other about
for the best positions on the crowded
bank next to the rivers flow.
Nearby was the boat house where they
told me sailing craft were fastened al
WAYS 20 take their csrgoes on board.
The timbers were black with age and
damp. and the multitude seemed 10 shun
the inside with its weather-stained walls
and floor.
I asked the reason OF the great gather
ing, for there was no ship In sight
1T Is always so" said one These peo-
pie have 4 voyage 10 take and they must
come here to embark. They must come.
This line OF boats is strange. singular.
They never fail 20 come IN dock somey
time. but no man knows the schedule
time nor does this crowd know. whether
they will sail by night or day, they only
know they must 90 on board when their
''own bell rings"
I wondered at the Indifference OF the
multitude. for there seemed 10 be no prep
aration for an ocean journey. Some were
even building houses on the sand, paint
ing the outsides and gliding the domes.
as II they were to live here and enjoy
q lifetime OF pleasure.
Even the aged and helpless were intent
on their own qualifications Of appetite
and Amusement. Men and women were
playfnR games 70 divert their minds, while
the giddy pleasure seekers danced. shout
ed and drank TO debauchery and forget
fitness.
A mfddle-ared couple stood near me.
The man said Il hear the bell, Mary.
/ must 20. Come with me. / cannot bear
TO leave youl We must go together. l
can't leave you!"
The woman replied: This wind Is chill.
I must have q warm cloak. and my money
a. IN my trunk. Let me go after them, -
and she went away.
Just then I saw a ship coming toward
as. II had no banners floating. nor mu-
sic playing. as It drew nearer and near
er to the great. gloomy boat house.
I saw the ships crew bring out great
rolls OF cordage and make ready to fling
the line TO the boat house sailors that
waited.
heard the gang-plank roll across the
lower deck, but when the vessel slowed up
and turned her side to the wharf the
gang-pIank appeared TO be q hearse with
black nodding plumes and Grape stream
ers instead OF decoration and gilded ban
ners.
Then I saw a strange sight. The sick
IN the boat house were picked out care
fully. leaving some who had been bed
ridden for years. and taking others who
came In but yesterday and some today.
Mothers carried infants TO the gang
way, left them and returned to the shore.
The Hly-white walden and the veteran
!, soldier took step together. The strong
man cried out IN agony: why must 1
, so and leave my helpless family" New
ertheless his bell had rung, and his place
was ready for him and he went.
saw children cling to a fond mothers
neck. screaming in their grief at the sore
parting. but the mother went on board
without delay.
terrific splashfng suddenly attracted
me- The black waters were in commo-
ton .-----
These people sometimes get desper-
ate said my Informant. -and take their
own lives. rather than wait for the ships
bell and regular departure. silly people.
They only fan into the net below the
water line and are carried like driftwood,
TO be beached on the other shore"
As I turned from the wild faces Of the
suicides I saw a mother In Israel, as she
vas gently carried by her family down
60 the hearse-
Calm and patient she said: I've wait
ed long for this release from pain. God
has been merciful to give me loving
friends. and go 10 the mansion prepared
for me where 1 will wait your coming. y
These children sung. at her request
some Sweet Day" and the ships crew
took OF their hats in reverence for this
sanity farewell. .-t--
one cried: The last enemy is death
Another said: Can death be an enemy
which restores life health. happiness and
frteudsy'
As I watched. a great number hurried
across IN a body What means this
hasteT' In inquired.
"a railroad wreck and an ocean steam
err has gone down at sea-" said a listener
Then we saw a violent commOtiOn with
pistol shots and blood, aye to the waters
ecge -- So
"A mob and madnessl" remarked a san
OF who pushed wide open the entrance
way. that the victims might be crowded
on board
I turned aside. sick at heart The crowd
that danced, that gambled and frOlicked
on the shore was still reveling and ca
rousing They ~4re in plain view OF
these parfings ana CHASTITY violence: but
they laughed and made merry still.
warning bell from the ship. and he said
BE ye also ready. for We know not the
hour" but / was thrust aside by snoth-
er with these words: why not eat and be
merry, for tomorrow we die?'
The great. ship begaun to move. IL:
huge black hull giistened In the setting
eun. The decks were crowded and ths
bell ceased to toll
As the leviathan hoated from its
moorings and pushed out into deep water
I saw the captain on deck for the frs
time.
In a voice clear and sweet. these words
came ringing across the waves:
= am the resurrection and the life
he that believeth on Ne shell not per
ish."
As the rays OF a morning sun dartec
across my pillow / knew i had dreamed
but nevertheless the dream was a realit.
20 my mental consciousness.
MRS. W. II. FELTON,.