The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-12-07

remeulebS MHlCIi 'W6fo' pctlcCuy moihSo
cious in their situations, the poor ehildren's
only chance for life was their youth, a
good sound constitution, and the merciful
interposition Of benevolent and overrul'
ing Providence.
II was towards the close Of a sultry day
that Annie, burning with fever, implored
the faithful Abigail to give her a. drink Of
cold water. Fastening to the water'cask.
The old woman was disappointed by find
ing il exhausted, Richard having drunk the
the last drop, who was still raving in the
delirum of fever for more drink.
"My dear child, there is no water
"Oh Lam burniBg-dying with thirst
Give me but one drop, dear Abigall-one
drop Of cold water
Just then Mrs. Steel returned from
milking the cows, and Abigail proffered to
the lips Of the child bowl Of new milk,
but she shrank from it with disgust, and,
sinking back on her pillow, murmuredI
F." Water! water for the love OF God
give me drink of water!"n " : Hr"'
"Whsre is the pail!" said Mrs. Steel,
al DON. much like going alone to that
well but it is still broad day, and | know
that in reality there is nothing TO lear l
connot bear TO hear the child moan Tor
drink in that terrible way"
"Dear mother" said Richard, family,
I" don't 60 father will be in soon; we can
wait till then"
"Oh! the poor dear child is burning "
cried Abigail "she cannot wait I'LL then !;
do, neghbor, 20 for the water; | will stay
with the children, and put out the milk
while you are away" -.
Mrs. Steel left the shanty, and few
minutes after, the patients, exhausted BY
suffering, fell into profound sleep. Abb
gail busted herself scalding the milk'pans.
, and, iu her JOY at the young peoples cesGa-
lion from pain, forgot the mother alIogeIl.
er. About half an hour had elapsed, and
, the meIlow-lgh, Of evening had faded into
night, when Steel returned with his oxen
Q from the field. .....
Y The moment he entered the shanty he
!. went up to the bed which contained his
b sick children, and, satisfied that the fever
s was abating, he looked round for his sup
!, per, surprised that i, was not, as usual
i ready for him upon the table.
mo water!" " he cried, "in the cask,
d and supper not ready. After working all
l. day in the burning sun, man wants to
y have things made comfortable for him al
d night. Mrs. Winchester, are you here
!; Where is my wife :"
IN "Mercifnl goodness exclaimed the
s, old woman, turning as pale as death, II
n she not back from the well I"
s, "The well cried Steel, grasping ne
ld arm how long has she been gone
nt This half hour or mere."
,el Steel made no answerI-his cheek wa
ad a. pale as her own; and, taking his gu
II. from the beam TO which il! was slupg, h
he carefully loaded it with ball: and, wihoI
re. uttering word. left the house.
ith Day still fingered upon the open Pralrl'
,s. but the moment he entered The bush it wa
he deep night. He had crossed the plai
,ar with rapid strides, but as he aPproache
ess the swamp, his step became low and cat
nd tious. The we'll was in the cenlte OF
ce. Jungle, from the front Of which RichaI
ay had cleared away the brush to facllita
her their access 10 the water; as he drew ne
,al. the spot, his ears were chilled by 10
:" deep growing, and the crunching of Ieel
ard az il some wild animal was devouring Il
ca bones Of its prey. The dreadful Hut
with all its shocking, heartrevol'ing realli
IT," flashed upon the mind of the yeoman, Al
nee for moment paralyzed him. The Pl
cincts of the well were within range oil
Z" rifle, aud dropping down upon his han
ose and knees. and nerving his arm for Gle
dy. aim, he directed his gaze TO the spot fro
he whence the fatal sounds proceeded. A
liant lie on one side Of the well, q pair
luminous eyes glared like green lamps
With the edge Of the dark wood; and The h
,ich rid sounds which curdled the blood Of
irs,. yeoman became more distinty audible.
Slowly Steel raised the rifle to
as SHOULDER, and setting his teeth, and he
nate ing his breath, he steadily aimed al
med space between those glowing balls OF /
The sharp report Of the rifle awoke
'icb. far echoes Of the forest. The deer leaI
= 10 up from his lair. the wolf howled and
ipb,. into the depths Of the wood, and the P
ther. for such il was, .uttering hoa
rrowl, sprang several feet into the air, I
INN. fell across the mangled remains Of
for. victim. a.a
cath Richard Steel rose from the gron
tone the perspiration was streaming from
iph,. brow his limbs trembled and shook,
rowl lips moved convulsively, and he pref
orrid his hands upon his heaving breast 10 K
, nv down the violent lhrobbings Of his agit
5 tail heart. II was not fear that chained
erlet 10 The spot, and hindered him from
ell" preaching his dead enemy. TWAS hoI
ears. He dared not look upon the manglet
q the mains of his wife-,he dear partner oI
we're lows and sorrows-the companion Of
boyhood--the love Of his youth-thefr fr
,,ten. and counsellor Of his middle age
on of beloved mother Of his chileren. !
If re. could he recognize in that crushed ant
task fled heap his poor Jane 3 The Pang
erred too great Tor his agonlzed m'no 70
/; bu Sense ana s'gm allAe iorSooN nun
wood staggering q few PAGES forward, he
orest, insensibie across me pam -
IRE 30 Alarmed by the report Of the rifle
each kins and his sons proceeded with toI
to the spot, followed by Abigail, who
their sconscious OF the extent oi he cala'
at and was yet sufficiently convinced that
,h;no dreadful had occurred. Whel