The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-06-22

SO SLTIuc Oul VI IKE SAdAAOOA-
Often the heart of the youth had
burned and yearned to embrace
him,
Often his lips had essayed to speak,
imploring for pardon
All the old friendship came back
with its tender and grateful emo
tons;
But his pride overmastered the nobler
nature within him.
Pride, and the sense of his wrong,
and the burning fire of the insult
So he beheld his friend departing il
anger, but spake not,
Saw him go forth to danger, perhaps
to death and he spake not.
Then he arose from his bed, and
heard what the people were say
ing,
Joined in the talk at the door, with
Stephen and Richard and Gilbert,
Joined in the morning prayer, and in
the reading of Scripture.
And, with the others, N haste went
hurrying downzto the sea shore,
Down to the Plymouth Roc., that hac
Into a world unknown,-the corner
stone OF nation
There with his boat was the Master,
already a little impatient
Lest he should lose the tide, or the
wind might shift to the eastward.
SIusre-huiIt. hearty, ard strong, with
cd nf 81
Speaking with this one and that, and
examining letters and parcels
Into his pockets capacious, and mes
sages mingled together
Into his narrow brain, till at last he
was wholly bewildered.
Nearer the boat stood Alden, with one
foot placed on the gunwale,
One still firm on the rock, and talking
at times with the sailors,
Seated erect on the thwarts, all ready
and eager for starting.
He, too, was eager to go, and thus
put an end to his anguish,
Thinking to fly from despair, that
swifter than keel is or canvas,
Thinking to drown in the sea the
ghost that would rise and pursue
him
But as he gazed on the crowd, he be-
held the form of Priscilla
Standing detected among them, uncon-
scious of all that was passing.
Fixed were her eyes upon his, as II
she OWNED his intention,
Fixed with look so sad. SO reproach-
full, imploring and patient,
That with a sudden revulsion his
heart recoiled from its purpose,
AS from the verge of crag, where
one step more is destruction.
Strange is the heart of man, with its
quick, mysterious instincts!
Strange is the life of man, and fatal
or fated are moments,
Whereupon turn, as on hinges, the
gates of the wall adamantine!
Here l remain" he exclaimed, as he
looked at the heavens above him,
Thanking the Lord whose breath had
scattered the mist and the mad.
ness.
was staggering headlong.
"Yonder snow-white cloud, that floats
in the ether above me,
Seems like a hand that Is pointing
and reckoning over the ocean.
There is another hand. that is not &c
spectral and ghost-like,
Holding me, drawing me back, and
clasping mine for protection.
Float, o hand of cloud, and vanish
away In the ether!
Roll myself up like a fist, to threaten
and daunt me; | heed not
Either your warning or menace, Of
any omen of evil!
There is no land so sacred, no air 50
pure and so wholesome,
AS Is the air she breathes, and tbs
soil that is pressed by her foot
steps.
Here for her sake will stay, and hka
an invisible presence
Hover around her for ever, protecting
supporting her weakness;
Yes as my foot was the first tina
stepped on this rock at the land
ing,
So, win the blessing Of God, shall !
be the last at the leaving!"
Meanwhile the Master alert, bu
with dignifed air and important
Scanning with watchful eye the It'd
and the wind and the weather,
Walked about on the sands; and tn
people crowded around him
Saying a few last words, and enforc
ing his careful remembrance.
Then, taking each by the hand, as
he were grasping tiller,
Into the boat he sprang, and in hast
showed off to his vessel,
Glad in his heart to get rid of all thi
worry and furry,
Glad to be gone from a land of san
and sickness and sorrow,
Short allowance of vfctuals and plent
of nothing but Gospel,
Lost in the sound of the oars was tn
last farewell of the Pilgrims
o strong hearts and true, not on
went back in the Mayfiower.
not ,na 1oalod hack rxyha bod &c