Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-01-14
THE UNEDUCATED WIFE.
CHAPTER 4.

VI WI cIcB"H' anu lnteIt StlDb dpp' AT
ance, found he had missed his way aud
was descending lonely hill that ended
III thick forest. lie stopped before he
entered The dreary road and cast an in
curing and enger gaze around but saw
no alternative except TO 60 on, or re-
trace his steps and ascend the long, tedi-
Gus hill.
"lhis is abominable," said he, as he
pulled the rclns to stop his tired beast +;
II should DE quite unwilling To make IL
supper for some hungry wolf or bear, it
would be most Inglorlous end 10 my
journey, and not at all consistent with
deeds Of noble daring but perhaps
there are no such providers here, ard at
all events 1t is straight path-l can try
II mile or two, and # | see or hear any
thing alarming | can return ii will not
be very soldier hike, to be sure, to run
from the enemy but there Is none TO
trumpet my lame in this wood-so come
Oh my tIled dapple.'
The evening was fast closing, and he
could only ride slowly, land with great
caution, as the stumps OF the trees often
stood many feet high and much impeded
his progress. Alter he had been riding
for some time, the snow commenced fall
ling, and Fitzgerald began to be seIi-
ously alarmed, when suddenly, bright
light shown through the underwood al
no great distance. lie galIoped quick
ly OH, and saw 10 his surprise and delight,
very comfortable looking log HOUSE
with glazed windows, quite an unconi.
mon thing in the back country.
81 SUPPOSE" SAID he, 81 shall share
with some dozen little white heads, each
striving by dnt and cnmor to make me
as uncomfortable as posslblc--well |
shall at least have IA shelter lr ON the
bears aud the weather"
So saying, he threw the brijl, around
a stump, and, sprlngIng over the irnce,
was Just about Knocking at the door when
a voice of great melody and sweetness
struck OF his ear, singing the "eyenIng
hymn" lie stopped bu, The music
had ceased. lie approached without
noise to the window, and what was his
surprise, his emotion, at beholdng, III
a secluded place like this, the most ex-
quisitely beautiful creature he had ever
soea.- Her d,css was that Of a rustic,
and her slight person, though thus un-
adorned, more laultless than the finest
models he had ever gazed on III the halls
Of fashion and elegance.
Fitzgerald almost doubted his senses
for nothing moral had ever seemed to
hun hall SO lovely. Her little white
hands and dlmplcd fingers were smooth
ing the gray hairs OF most noble look.
ing old man, who sat before bright
fire. Ills face was pale and careworn
Ills large expressive eyes were turned
on his youthful companion with a ten
derncss that seemed to affect her much,
for she kissed his wrlnklcd checks again
and again and seemed Try ing by a
thousand winning ways, to direct him
from his sorrows. lie was dressed like
farmer: but round his chair was thrown
large military cloak, apparently to
screen him from the weather, one corner
OF which covered his foot that rested on
bench before him. The room was
clean and comfortable, though it con-
tanned nothing but some chairs, II table,
aud shelf with books. A rush mat
was spread under the old mans seat,
and few cooking utensils placed in Tire
corner of a large, stone fire place.
Fitzgerald stood rivctcd TO the spot,
scarcely daring to breathe lest he should
break the charm that seemed to dctain
the objects III his sight but the snow
was falling fast, and the horse began to
grow reslve. lie slept gently back and
Knocked at the door.
"Come m," said the old man, and
Fitzgerald entered.
"Will you give me shelter for The
night, SIR" SAID he, bowmg, 81 have
lost my way, and my horse is worn out
with this days traveI;"
"Wuh pleasure, SIR was the reply.
We can afford YOU shelter but we
have no shelter for your tired beast"
"Well then, he must take his chance
under the forest trees | am so happy
not to be obliged to share the same late,
that ! fear shall not iccl the sympathy
for him | ought"
"lsldure take the gentleman coat,
shake of the snow, aud throw 1t over
the rail to dry, and place a char by The
fire"
/. She moved from his side, where she
had nestled like young iawn or llmld
dove, and placing II seat reached out
that beautiful lutte hand for the coat ;
but he, bowlng as low as II she had
been princess, said, "By no means, "
and laid It ASIDE himself, while lsldorc,
bushrng and confused, again drew close
to hcI aged companion.
+ Fitzgerald had never felt so much al
a loss lor conversation. 10 meet two
such beings IN thick forest, so far from
an, human habilalons, seemed so strange
that he scarce knew how To address.
them but the old gentleman began
asking hun ahout the roaG, how far he
had travelled, &c. Sc, and told bun he
was more than thtty miles from lhe
place hc had Inqalrcd Tor, and which he
thought at reaching that night.
"Bm =" SAID he, "Il you can be con-
tented with little bread aud mIlk, aud
"A bear skin Tor your bed, you ale mosl
heartily wclcopc.