188 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR SABBATH HOURS.

 The wind was very high, and seemed to
 AFTER THE STORM. increase in violence as they approached
 o SHERE had been a long north- the sea. Every now and then they had
 easterly storm. The wind was to turn their backs upon it, while feath-
 in a perfect tempest, and rain ers and streamers and silken curls were
 and sleet and snow were driven tossed about in a very unceremonious
all over the broad ocean, across the great manner; but the spirits of the young
beaches, up over the quiet farms and ladies were equal to the occasion, and
meadow-lands which lay overlooking the seemed to rise every step of the way,
sea; on, on, over villages and large cities, and the three, arm in arm, breasted the
for it seemed as if the storm, like Noah's breeze with wonderful vigor. The books
dove, found no resting-place. Winds, may say what they please of weak, use-
waves, torrents of rain began to sob and less, maudlin American women, but, thank
wail, and gradually quiet themselves a God, there are many brave women still,
little ; and at length the sun struggled to strong in mind and body, healthful, earn-
peep through the leaden clouds which est and untiring, worthy the claim of be-
had hidden it so long, and looked forth ing descendants from the Mayflower Pil-
over great tossing, white-capped break- grims,-brave New England girls, who
ers, dashing in fury upon the rock-bound are not afraid to meet whatever storm
shore, and rolling high up on the broad, the dear Lord sees fit to send upon them !
sandy beach, then back again, into the 0, how glorious was the sea, as it was
seething cauldron, to boil and foam till tossed about by the strong wind, and
other breakers engulfed them, and all wave upon wave, mountain high, dashed
went rolling on together. upon the beach in rapid succession, as
 After the storm, Miss Effie Dalton, our young friends drew near to gaze upon
who had been watching at her window, its marvelous power!
and longing for an exhilarating walk in I have never looked upon the sea
the fresh air, concluded to call for her after such a storm as this," said Carrie
friends, Mary and Carrie Lee, and all Lee, as she stood firmly on the sand,
would go down to the beach and enjoy clinging to Effie, as if she feared they
the full glory of the sea after the fearful might all be blown away together.
tempest. So, dressing herself with warm I love to see it," said Effie, it con-
furs, and encasing her pretty feet in veys the idea of such wonderful power
heavy, crimson-lined Arctics," she ven- and our insignificance; and yet, is it not
tured forth. Her friends were quite as- marvelous to think, that He who holds the
tonished at her appearance, but all being ocean in the hollow of His hand, and at
brave and energetic young ladies, they whose command the stormy wind ariseth
cheerfully assented to Effie's proposal, and the waves are lifted up, should care
and were soon equipped for the tramp. for each of us,-and the infant sleeping