Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-03-17
AvENNA, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH II, l847..

Ito sit on, that old stone hearth in the lar
mer's kitchen, and crack butternuts, or
help pare apples till her little white hands
booked black enough;, she was so gifted and
50 kind, SO winning to 5aH, and then, as
Iames said, she was,a first rate hand at
A lhakingEcandy and popping corn. ~. +.
But Marion Norville was not genteel-
4 lli2iaeed she wasn''t1 for she had rather play
the romping game Of the country girls, or
coast with James Graham of a moonlight
night, than dance the bewitching. Polka in
her splendid city homeland why should
she not9 for the shadows of old bending
trees trembled on the frozen lake, for the
moon shines brighter there than in crowd.
ed room, on beauty which God did not
make. Perhaps, too, Marion had holier
thoughts than those Of mere enjoyment, for
every nigh: she had gathered the children
round her, and with them repeated prayer
SO earnest in its few simple words, that their
eyes closed reverently as they knelt, and
all her mirth and gaiety was Tor few mo-
ments forgotten. .
Now as she. sat on rude low seat, with
Annie's sweet face resting in her lap, the
glowing freight lit up her face with the
truest gladness as she answered Richard
Yes, coz, you've been good most of the
time, and h. I'll. a.g..
While she was speaking, the whole
group was startled by a low, distinct rap
ping on the window pane, and there, with
| its white breast pressed close against the
glass, was trembling dove, picking the
frost covered window as if he plead for
shelter from the driving storm. All the
children ran eagerly to the door, and Rich.
ard laid the dove gently and carefully in
Marion's hand. The flickeringlight Of the
candle shone far out on the lonely road,
and dimly showed two fguresall wreathed
with the falling snow. Itwas unusual in
that lonelYsplace tolsee Strangers passing
thus all FL andt the ever restless Richard
You carry in the dove and warm it, and
| mean to run out and see who they are
Beautiful looked the half frozen dove to
the kind ones who had rescued it. As il
nestled close in Marion's bosom, there was
gleam in its opening eyes that seemed al
most human--so earnestly it told of quiet
gratitude and content. They smoothed the
ruffled white plumes caressngly, talking
oil the while to Dove as ifit knew theil
meaning. They scarcely needed the en-
, trance Of Richard till he said r.
sThose folks were beggars and wanted
g we should keep 'em over night, but tol'
, them as father always does, that every
|. town took care of its own poor, and ii they
It lhad staid at home, they needn't suffer-
r who are they?. how did they look
r where did they come from' inquired all
s once. r.
" sOh, they looked bad enough; there wa
r. on old man and girl not so big as Marion
J. and they came from some place down be
a low that never heard Of before. The ol
e oodger said that he was going to see hi
V. brother up north, but | guess he made u
o. that story
>. sWhy, Dick, didn't think you'd turn o
" an old man and poor shivering girl, ]
/, such night as this;' and as James spok
as he went to the window, adding, Il don
think father and mother will come,
,g storms SO; and il they are on the way the
n. will put up somewhere ...'s
q. sThe Old mans breath smelt of rum, a
at swered Richard, and if he can buy that
d. can buy lodging. | did pity the girl to
to sure, for when | told them the tavern W
nv two miles off, she said, o, dear, that seer
nd great ways;' but then father says it's 10
ly encouraging folks to drink, if you
al anything for them when they wander
Or, bout So -~.~ .,,,....-
N. Richard did .indeedrepeat an Oft. hea
m sentiment of his fathers when he said II
md for though worthy man in most respet
du- Mr.. Graham was one OF those VINO "
he member the poor,' only so far as the $
ht, ferers are good and virtuous, and struggll
Ihe hard to support themselves.
But the holier teachings Of his wife
mt given the children other and better feell
he and Richards conscience smote him wi
I little Annie quietly said, mother would
ce- have sent them away if the man did Or
rum.' 3t ~
An You promised Us story, cousin M
ure on said Richard, glad to turnfrom pc
ory ful subject, tell us one about Old time .
i like those best Tell about war;
all James. about Indians said Fred
the bout when you was little girl like
said Annie. eTellus about something
too, never told us BEFORE said little boyin
ard, corner.
,ber Ifthe gifted Marion had one pow,e
fun perfection, it was that highly valued
we'll rare gin Of telling stories There wa wa
long, low seat in the Kitchen. which
Ma called "a ssettee;' it answered the purpos
res. awood-box and sofa,in the winter event
the and being painted bright red and varnis I IN
how It looked like good natured laughing
and in front Of the fire. On this the chill