Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-10-24
THE SAfUGGLER.

now, since u has been thrown into III,
corner Of kingdom, a nest of SNUG.
glers and thieves where all the vices
have taken up their abode, and where
they are fostered by the lucrative, tho
dangerous, profession that is there pur.
sued. Here, with all the pride Of ban.
dittl Boosting Of their achievements
they related to me a circumstance. the
thought of which makes me shudder.
'Come along" said father one e.
vening TO his daughter, girl of 10,
who had just returned from pastor OF
the village, who was giving her instruc.
ton, preparatory to confirmation; 'sput
on your thick coat, we have something
to get tonight. Bid your mother
good bye, and beg her to lay her hand
upon your head; for we cannot tell
whether the Almighty will bring us
safe through the business or not. p
They set out. The wind blew intense.
ly cold over the hills, and howled a.
mong the trees; while low clouds, hea-
Willy laden with snow, sailed slowly over
the grey heads of the naked rocks
They proceeded in silence, along an
untrequented mountain path, and clam
bercd like chamois along "a yawning
abyss, where foaming torrent was
struggling against the overpowering
force of winter. clay hold of my
belt" whispered the father, as though
apprehensive lest the very air might
overhear him, "and hold fast; tits not
the most pleasant walking here" The
girl trembled with cold and fear, and
silently followed her rough conductor.
"Stop," he cried, all at once, ''do YOU
hear nothing! were not those mems
voicesP"
"No, father, it is the wind bowling
through the pines"
'Stand still, then, and listen-that
must be footsteps. ! hear them quite
plain"
"No, father, it is the ice bursting in
the abyss, and the water dashing against
the rocks"
The old man, wrapped in a grey
surtout, clapped his ear to the side of
the rock to listen, and presently cried,
"come on" The path became more
difficult, and the rocks were abrupt.
"Should any misfortune befal me to-
night, my dear girl, said he, "tell your
mother she must not give up the bust
ness: have made profitable concern
of it, and should not die content, if
believed it would drop with my liie."
He then directed her to concca
herself in small cavern in the rock.
''You may cat your supper there" he
observed, "for we are now upon the
frontier; and up yonder you would on
ly be in my way. I'll whistle when |
come back. When you hear that sign,
look about you, and bestir yourself"
With these words he continued his
ascent, and the half frozen girl crept
sobbing into the snowy retreat. AT u
dizzy depth below her, the torrent
roared monotonously, and before her
the wind whirled the snow in eddies
from the rocks. She was alone in this
dreary spot.
After awhile, the appointed signal
was given, and she heard footsteps. -
Her father came with q pack, which
he dragged after him.
"Here," said he, "pull it in, it is
but light,-you will have no difficulty.
'Tis worth good round sum though. "
The pack was deposited in the cav
ern, and the smuggler went back a.
gain. The girl, meanwhile, crouched
behind the pack, and rubbed her fro
zen limbs, to warm and keep herself
awake. Some time again elapsed;
again a whistle was given as before,
and the father returned with another
load. He babe her take up the first
and made her go on before him.
"Father, hear dogs barking! don't
you!"
"No, no, tits only the wheeling OF
my old lungs"
"There again! | hear something be-
hind u.s."
600 along, girl, and hold your
tongue."
"Thcre is something moving behind
us, father, down yonder, don't you
sect"
"Good God! the sharp shooters.-
We are lost if we cannot reach the ra.
vine."
A dog came up and threatened to
seize the man. Clinging, without 9TH
er hope of safety, TO the rock, he hurl.
| ed his pack at the animal, which tum-
bled, bowling, together with mass o.
snow, down the precipice. "Give II
to me-" he cried, taking the lighter
load from the girl, grasping her hant
firmly, and drawing her with accelera
ted steps, down the rocky path. Fr'gh
deprived her of the use OF her limbs
4 1<~l alnprr Hkn a lnQf