The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-02-26

huu ny, Illt'c Soiuell uituy Ihicau
began to be woven in; the dawn of
Gods mercy was at hand.
One blowy October morning, as I
sauntered lazily along to the mill, l
came to the little wooden bridge over
q brook that falls into the Bribble.
On the plank there stood child,
balancing the pitcher on her head,
with which she had been to fetch
water. She was so light on her feet
that, had it not hccn for the weight of
the pitcher, I almost believe the wind
would have taken her up, and waited
her away as it carries off q blow-ball
in seed. time, her blue cotton dress was
blown before her, rs if she were
spreading her wings for flight; she
turned her face round, as if to ask nc
for something, but when she saw who
it was she hesitated, for I had bad
name in the village and l doubt not
she had been warned against me.
But her heart was too innocent to be
distrustful; as she said to me timidly.
"Please, John Middleton, will you
carry me this heavy jug just over
the bridge?"
It was the very first time I had ever
been spoken to gently. l was ordered
here and there by my father and his
rough companions; I was abused and
cursed by them if I failed in doing
what they wished; if / succeeded,
there came no expression of thanks or
nectssh9" .oF mes. j informed Of facts
gentle words of request or cntrcaty
were afore time unknown to me, and
now their tones fell on my ear soft
and sweet as distant peal of bells.
wished that l knew how to speak
properly in reply; but though We we're
OF the Same standing as regarded
worldly circumstances, there was
some some mighty difference between us,
y s,sl,is s'is' asadem TO .in;har
'sngtiagy of soft Oft words 'a.la .a3:ddsss i;,.
snt.caty. There has nothing for mo
but take up the pitcher in kind of
grutf. shy silence, and carry it over
the bridge as she had asked me.
When gave it hor back again, she
thanked me and tripped away, leaving
me, word.lcss, gazing at her like an
awkward lout as I was. l knew
we'll enough who she was.-Shc was
grandchill to Eleanor Hadfeld, an
aged woman. who was reputed as
witch by my father and his set, for no
other reason, that I can make out.
than her scorn, dignity. and fearless.
ness of rancor. 1t was true we ortca
met her in tho gray dawn of the
morning when we returned from
poaching, and my father used to
curse her, under his breath. for
witch, such as were burnt, long ago,
on Pcndle Hill top; but I had heard
that Eleanor was skilful sick nurse,
and ever ready to give to those who
were i'll; and 1 believe that she had
been sitting up through the night
(thc night that we had been spending
under the wild heavens, in deeds as
Wild with those who were appointed
to die. Nelly was her orphan grand.
her little hand maiden: her
treasure; her one eve lamb. Many
and many a day have I watched by
the brook.side, hoping that some
happy gust Of wind, coming with
blustcr down the hollow of
the dale, might make me necessary
once more to her. longed to hear
her speak to mo again. l said the
words she had used to myself, trying
to catch her tone; but the chance
never came again, | do not know that
she ever know how I watched for her
there. I found out that she went to
school, and nothing would scrvc me
but that L must 60 too. My father
scoffcd at me; Idid not care. Ikncw
nought Of what reading was, nor that
it was likely that / should be laughed
ut; l, n great hulking lad Of seventeen
or upward, for going to learn my A,
Il, Q, in the midst of crowd of little
oncs. II stood just this way in my
mind. Nelly was at school; it was the
best place for seeing her, and hearing
her voicc again. Therefore | would
90 too. My fathor talked, and sworc, !
and threatened, but Istood toit lie
said should loavo school, weary Of
1t in month. lsworo o docpcr oath
than J. lIko to romomber, that would !
stay u year, and como out writer. |
My father hatod the notion Of folks
learning to road, and said it took all
tho spirit out Of them; besides, he
thought he had n right to ovcry penny
of my wages, and though, when
no was IN good humor, ho might have
given mo many jug Of alc, he
grndged my two.ponco week for
schooling. However, to school /!