After the Storm

But long ere the boat reached Albany, rain began to fall,

accompanied by lightning and thunder; and soon the clouds were

dissolving in a mimic deluge. Hour after hour, the wind and rain and

lightning held fierce revelry, and not until near the completion of

the voyage did the clouds hold back their watery treasures, and the

sunbeams force themselves through the storm's dark barriers, When the stars came out that evening, studding the heavens with

light, there was no obscuring spot on all the o'erarching sky.