Newburgh Free Academy - Graduate Yearbook (Newburgh, NY)

Page 22 text:

It was night. Dark and ominous clouds, which had all day hung like a pall over land and water, were scurrying before the wind with an ever- increasing velocity, lightning Hashed wildly at intervals, and ever and anon was heard the clap of a thunderbolt, seeming to rend asunder the inner- most parts of the heavens. The glare of lightning lighted up the surrounding landscape with aghast- ly hue, and out upon the sea could be seen the mad billows as they surged and seethed, and seethed and surged, as if in defiance to the powers that had disturbed their calm repose. A flash, more brilliant than the rest, revealed in silhouette against the tumultuous heavens the form of a woman, with hair dishevelled and hands clasped as if in supplication. A low moan issues from her pallid lips, and 3, look of unutterable despair is stamped upon her features. 'C Is there no one near to save him? Must he perish thus, and I stand helpless and witness his doom? Ah I It's too cruel I But, hold! Far up the gravelly beach can beseen the form of a young man, walking rapidly with athletic strides in the direction from whence come the cries of distress. He scrambles hastily up the slippery rocks, and is soon at the side of the lone female. '4 Oh! sir !'l she cries, ff save him, and all I possess is yours! Only save him Il' E Say no moref! he says, and with a quick move divests himself of his eye-glass and shoes 5 another moment and the brave young man is bat- tling manfully with the fiends of the deep, and slowly making his way to- wards a small bark, tossing wildly on the angry bosom of the sea. But see ! He is gone! He has disappeared beneath the waves. Oh l can it be That one so young Must die like he? ..21-.

Page 21 text:

A

Page 23 text:

Hold! He rises again, and, grasping the gunwale of the boat, draws himself over. As he lies panting at the bottom of the skiff, a small form rises from the stern, and makes its way to where the young man lies. He starts. A wild light comes into his ' eyes, and he gazes shoreward in the direction of the young woman in distress. But what a change! Tears of joy leave long streaks upon her beauti- ful face, and she beckons the young man to come ashore. The roar of the storm drowns his voice as he attempts to reply, but, raising the sail, he absently makes his way towards shore, and places in the lap of the now joyful woman a small terrier. She turns to thank the brave deliverer, but he has fied. On, on he goes, crossing field and meadow and brook, until he finds himself near Middletown. There he remains to this day, living-at the expense of the county. And the billows still roar and the waves stillwtoss, but he hears them not. He is a raving maniac! F Ju .....22..