Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-17

which she had been making for David
Martin, and then she talked over II aud
about il, ill the evening was closing in.
Mrs. Marin paid her for the coat. At
ter Hannah had put on her bonnet and
cloak, and risen 10 take leave, she made
her request for the dried apples. Her
bag was Immediately filled, and she stood
with it under her arm, while she discuss
ed a, full length the merits of all the va
fious soils Of apples, Pippins, bell-iow-
ers, vcndovers, %pennocks, seck-no- far
thers,&c.
At last tho increasing darkness re.
minded her that it was now night. 'Well,'
said she, 81 believe l must now think
about starting: | shall be very late home.
My children are all alone, and, though
am often obliged TO 60 out and leave
them, | never was away from them al
ter dark"
"It is dark already" observed Marga-
ret Martin.
EYES," said Hannah, "and perhaps II
had better wait TIL tho ground is quite
covered with snow, which will make 1t
lighter; and when the moon rises, that
may perhaps shine a little through the
Clouds"
The men now came in from their work
in The barn.-HaDnah saw that supper
was nearly ready, and she felt reluctant
to leave the chance Of a good meal, a
comfort which she seldom had an OPP
por,unity of enjoying. "Cannot you
stay till after supper, Hannah" said
Mrs. Martin; "As you say, it will be no
darker"
Hannah wss easily persuaded, and she
took her seat again.
"But," said ono Of the girls, "what
will your children do for their superb
ooh" replied Hannah, elf they can
not wait till ! get home, Jare is very
handy; she will put on the griddIc. and
bake an Indian cake, and there is a jug
Of milk in the house, that Abbey Thorn
as seat us this morning."
Margaret Martin always had tea in
the evening. This was ararity 10 poor
Hannah. The table was set ont with
excellent whea;-bread, short cakes,
cheese, milk, mush-molasses, cider, and
the remains Of a large pot-pie which
had been cooked for dinner. Hannah
ate heartily, talked much and forgot her
poo, children.
When she had finished her supper,
she turned hor chair round again to the
blazing fro, to give herself. as she said,
a good warning before she started for
home.
AT last she finally took her leave, but
on opening the door to 60 out, she found
that the snow was already more than
ankle deep, that a piercing wind was
drifting it into heaps, and that the clouds
were SO heavy as entirely TO obscure The
moon. "Dear, dear" said she, "what
shall | do! How shall l get homo? /
have three miles of a drcary, lonesome
road, the greatest part of it through the
woods. It is showing faster than ever.
| shall be frozen TO death. l wish l
had started by day light. How much
better ii | had gone before the snow
came ONT
Margaret Martin thought so too. How
ever, she said, elf it was not on your
childrcn's account, | should persuade
you 10 stay here all night"
"Why, as 10 that said Hannah, "
| do not know what could happen to the
children. They are safe enough in the
house, and will of course suppose that
am kept By the snow"
Ii was at last decided that Hannah
should stay all night, and again throwing
off her cloak and bonnet, she resumed
her seat by the fire, and made herself
very happy there till bed time.
On return home next morning Hannah finds
two of her children frozen TO death. The au-
thor inculcates the moral of the story in the
! conclusion.