Year: 1875

'MOtiler, you VIII let me go ?"


A terrible storm is sweeping along
the wild coast OF North Devonshire. -
The plymouth life boat is prepared to
make it's way to foreign vessel,
which at some short distance from the
land, is showing signs of distress. The
life boat crew is complete, with tho
exception of one man. Young Will
Carew, plymouth fisher lad and an
expert sailor, is offering to fill the va
cant place. But first he bends down
to u woman, and it is his clear, brave
voice we hear above the raging of the
storm.


Mother, you will let me go ?"


The mother has been a widow only
six short months. Her husband was a
fisherman he put out one bright day
last Spring, for the last time in small
iishing-boat, upon II delusively calm
sea. sudden squall came on; broken
fragments of a boat were seen next
morning on the beach, but the fisher
man returned no more to home and
love. Aud now the son asks permis-
sion to brave the horrors OF the roar
ing sea which his father found so pit
Hess.


A fierce, passionate refusal rises TO
the mothers lips. But her sad eyes
moved slowly toward the distressed
vessel she thinks of the many loved
lives in jeopardy within it, thinks,
with sudden pang of agoniZed pity,
OF many distant, dear homes in peril of
bereavement sne turns TO the boy and
her voice is calm and courageous as
his own


go, my son. And may God AL
mighty go with you, and bring
you safely back to you dear mother's :
heart"


Hurriedly she leaves the beach,
and hurriedly she seeks her desolate
home, and alone she wrestles with the
pain of her old sorrow and her new
fear


Morning dawns again The storm
has spent itself. Snllenly the waves
are tossing their naughty heads, but
the seas worse fury is over at last. A
gallant vessel has gone down upon the
waters, but the plymouth life-boat
has nobly fulfilled its noble task, and
all hands on board the vessel have
been saved.


Why does young Will Carew linger
in hesitation outside his mothers s
door. Bravest of the brave he has
shown himself throughout the night.
Why does he shrink from the proud
welcome that waits him, from the
heart nearest to his own.


Beside him stands tall, worn man;
a man whom he had rescued from q
watery grave man whose eyes full
of deep tenderness never leaves his
own. Around the two throng Dyn-
worth villagers many hands are
thrust toward the man in happy re-
cognition,


"Who will dare tell her p So
speaks voice wcll-nigh chokcd with
emotion.


Il will"


And Will Carew makes his way
through the awestruck crowd. Another
moment and he is ia his mothers arms.
He feels and knows for the first time,
the whole depth of that wondrous ma
ternal love, which love omnipotent
has chosen as one of its best earthly to-
kens.


Mother, listen | have tale for
your ears May God teach me how
TO tell it right. One of the men saved
last night was plymouth fisherman. "
The boys voice is soft and grave, but
it is evident he steadies it only with a
strong effort.


"a fearful storm had overtaken
him upon the sea, one day, not many
months ago He was observed and
saved by foreign vessel. The vessel
was outward bound. Away from
home, from wife, from kindred, the
man was forced to sail and by wife
and kindred he was mourned as dead
He arrived at the vessels destined
port, only to set sail again with the
first ship bound for England. Last
night he found himself within sight OF
home but II wild storm was raging
on land and sea, and once more the
man stood face to face with terrible
death. Help came in his need of help,
God sent, God directed. And
The boy breaks down now. On his
knees by his mothers feet, he clasps
her hands convulsively in his and
his voice come only through his thick
| sobs


Mother darling try 10 bear the
happy truth. When your brave heart
which, in the midst OF its own sorrow,
could feel for the sorrow of others
sent me forth last night to the succol
of the distressed, you knew not-how
should you know THAT you sent mt
to the rescue of my dear fathers life
God gave him to me- God has giyer
him, mother, back to our grateful
love.


| Notanother word is spoken Locked


in each others arms, mother and sol
lpour out their hearts in flood of un


speakably happy tears.


A step is heard the rescued MAJ


stands by his own freside, remember


ing with deep emotion that his plac


there has been won for him by the skill


and courage of his son.


| With "A cry of wild joy the mothe


rushes forward, and her head finds it


long lost place upon her husband


breast.


All loUp Snnrorpa ~