All felt as if life and death hung on the issue. It was only when the cable was brought over the bow and on the deck that men dared to breathe. Even then they hardly believed their eyes. Some crept toward it to see it, feel of it, to be sure it was there. Then they carried it along to the electrician's room to see if the long-sought treasure was alive or dead. A few minutes of suspense, and a flash told of the lightning current again set free. Some turned away and wept, others broke into cheers, and the cry ran from ship to ship, while rockets lighted up the darkness of the sea. With thankful hearts they turned their faces again to the west; but soon the wind rose, and for thirty-six hours they were exposed to all the dangers of a storm on the Atlantic. Yet in the very height and fury of the gale a flash of light, which having crossed to Ireland returned to them in mid-ocean, told them that the friends whom they had left behind on the banks of the Hudson were well, and following them with their wishes and their prayers. This was like the whisper of God from the sea, bidding them keep heart and hope. And now, after all those thirteen years of almost superhuman struggle, and that one moment of almost superhuman victory, we may safely include Cyrus W. Field among the masters of the situation. -James T. Field. THE CREEDS OF THE BELLS. How sweet the chime of the Sabbath bells! Each one its creed in music tells, In tones that float upon the air, "In deeds of love excel! excel!" Its forms and sacred rights revere; Come, worship here! come, worship here! In rituals and faith excel!" Chimed out the Episcopalian bell. "Oh! heed the ancient landmarks well!" In solemn tones exclaimed a bell. “Oh, swell! ye purifying waters, swell!" "To all the truth we tell! we tell!" ROBERT OF LINCOLN. Merrily swinging o'er briar and weed, Over the mountain side or mead, Robert of Lincoln is telling his name,— Bobolink-bobolink-spink-spank-spink, Robert of Lincoln is gayly dressed, Wearing a bright, black wedding coat; Bobolink-bobolink-spink-spank-spink, Chee-chee-chee. Look! what a nice, new coat is mine; Six white eggs on a bed of hay, Flecked with purple-a pretty sight There, as the mother sits all day, Robert is singing with all his might,- Chee-chee-chee. Nice good wife that never goes out; Soon as the little ones chip the shell, Gathering seeds for the hungry brood. Chee-chee-chee. This new life is likely to be Hard for a gay young fellow like me. 1 Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife, Pretty and modest, with plain brown wings, Passing at home a patient life, Broods in the nest while her husband sings,Whirr-whirr-whirr, Bobolink-bobolink-spink-spank—spink, Chee-chee-chee. Brood, kind creature! you need not fear Chee-chee-chee. Modest and shy as a nun is she; Robert of Lincoln at last is made Sober with work, and silent with care. Off are his holiday garments laid; Half forgotten the merry air,-— Chee-chee-chee. No one knows but my mate and I Summer wanes-the children are grown- Bobolink-bobolink-spink-spank-spink, Chee-chee-chee. When you can pipe that merry old strain, A RAJPUT NURSE. OROTUND. ELEMENTS-GRANDEUR, COURAGE, TRAGIC. Edwin Arnold, the author of the well known "Light of Asia,” and editor of the London Daily Telegraph, contributes the following touching poem: "Whose tomb have they builded, Vittoo, under the tamarind tree? With its door of the rose-veined marble, and white dome stately to see? Was he holy Brahmin, or Gogi, or a king of the Rajput line, Whose urn rests here by the river, in the shade of this beautiful shrine ?" "May it please you," quoth Vittoo, salaaming, "Protector of all the Poor! It was not for holy Brahmin they carved that delicate door, Nor for Gogi, nor Rajput Rana, did they build this gem of our land, But to tell of a Rajput woman, as long as the stones should stand! "Her name was Môti, the pearl-name! 'Twas far in the ancient times, But her moonlight face and her teeth of pearl are sung of still in our rhymes; And because she was young and comely, and of good repute, and had laid A babe in the arms of her husband, the Palace Nurse she was made. |