Litchfield enquirer., 1847-03-11

gathered the children around her. and
with them repeated a prayer SO earnest
in IFS few simple words, that their young
eyes closed reverently as they knelt, and
all her mirth and gaiety was for few
moments forgotten.
Now, as she sat on rude, low seat, with
Annie's sweet face resting in her lap, the
glowing fire light lit up her face with tru-
est gladness as she answered little Rich
ard
yes, COZ, you have been good almost
all the time, and
! While she was yetspeoking, the whole
group was startled by low distinct rap
ping on the window pane, and there, with
its white breast pressed close against tn e
glass, was trembling dove, pecking the
, frost covered window as if he plead for
shelter from the driving storm. All the
children ran eagerly to the door, ald
Richsrd laid the dove gently and careful
lv in Marion's hand. The flickerin !,
light of the candle shone far out on tn
lonely road, dimly showing two figures
all wrea,hed with the falling snow. 1t
was unusual in that lonely place to see
strangers passing at night, aud the ever
restless Richard exclaimed
you carry in the dove and warm it,
and I mean to run out and sec who they
are
Beautiful looked that halC-frozen dove
to the kind ones who had rescued it. AS
it nestled close in Marion's bssom, there
was CLEAN in its opening eyes that see
med almost human-so earnestly it told
of quiet gratitude and content. They
smoothed the ruffled white plumes cares
singly, talked all the while to Dovie,' as
if it knew their meaning. They scarce
ly needed the entrance Of Richard till he
said
Those folks we're heggars, and wanted
we should keep them over hight, but 1
told them as father always does, that ev-
cry town took care of its own poor, and if
they had staid at homo, they needn', sut-
fer
who we're they. how did they look !!
where did they come from 2 inquired
all at once.
ooh, they looked bad enough-there
was an old man, a girl, not SO big as Mar
ion, and they come from some place
down below that | never heard Of before
The old cohger said he WAS going to see
his brother up North, but Igucss he made
up that story
'Why Dick, didn', think you'd turn
off an old man and poor shvering girl,
10 such a night as this'-and as James
poke, he went to the win low, adding
don't think father and mother will come,
it storms so--if they are on the way they
| will put up somewhere
The old mans breath smrlt Of rum,
answered Richard, 'and if he can buy
that. he can buy lodging. l did pity
the girl to be sure, for when told them
that the tavern was two miles Off. she
said, Oh. dear, that seems a great ways
but then father says it is only encour-
aging folks TO drink if you do anything
for them when they wande: abou, So.
Richard did indeed repeat an Oft heard
sentiment of his fathers when he said
this, for though worthy man in many
respects, Mr.. Graham was one Of those
who remember the poor, only SO far rs the
the sufferers arc good and vrtuous and
struggling hard TO support themselves.
But the holicr teachings Of mis- wife
had given to the children olhor AMI bet,
ter feelings, and Richards conscience
smote him, when Annie quietly said,
mother would not have sent them away
if the man did drink rum
You promised us story. cousin Mar
ion, said Richard, glad 10 turn from q
painful subject, 'tcll US one about old
TINES, like those best About war,
/ said James, About Indians said Fred
About when you was little girl like
me- said Annie. Tell us about some.
thing you never told US BEFORE said a
quie, boy in the corner.
iflhe gifted Marien had one power in
perfection, it was the high!y-valued hui
rare gift of telling stories. There was a
low seat in the kitchen, which they called
a settee'-it answered :hc purpose OF a
wood box and sofa in the winter evenings
and being painted bright red and varnish.
ed, it looked a goodnatured laughing face
in front Of the fire. On this, the children
used 10 sit for hours, and listen to cousin
Marion's enchanting stories, whice were
usually the thrilling realities of History
dressed in her own glowing Thoughts
Sometimes she recited an old fairy tale
or some legend of early times; but TO-
night the white p Tuned dove lay lovingly
nv hnr opd har oUac roc.o1 co Ill, ,,no,