The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-07-06
5rIr&t HigteIIanll.
"THE GENTLE HAND"


| did not hear the maiden's name; but
in my thoughts have ever since called
her Gentle Hand" What a magic lay
in her touch! 1t was wonderful.
When and where it matters not now TO
relate; but once upon time, as was pass.
ing through rninly Peopled district of
country, night came down upon me, almost
e1awares. Being on foot, could not
hope to gain The village towards which my
steps were directed, until late hour; and
/ therefore preferred seeking shelter and
a nights lodging at the first humble dwell.
ing that presented itself
Dusky twilight was giving place TO
deeper shadows, when | found myself in
the vicinity of dwelling, from the small
uncurtained windows of which the light
shone with pleasant promise of good
cheer and comfort. The house stood
within an enclosure, and short distance
from the road, along which | was moving
with wearied feet. Turning aside, and
passing through an iIl-hung gate, approch
ed the dwelling. Slowly the gate swung
on its wooden hinges, and the rattle of lis
latch in closing, did not disturb the air,
until had nearly reached tie little porch
in front Of the house, In which slender
girl, who had noticed my entrance, stood
awaiting my arrival.
A deep, quick bark. answered almost
like an echo, the sound of the shutting
gate, and sudden as an apparilion, the
form Of an immense dog loomed in the door
way. | was now near enough 10 see the
savage aspect of The animal; and the gath.
ering motion of his body, as he prepared
TO bound forward upon me. His woish
growl was really fearful. Atthe instant he
was about 10 spring, light hand was laid
upon his shaggy neck, and low word was
spoken.
"Don'i be afraid. lie won'thur you,"
said voice, that to me sounded very sweet
and musical.
now came forward, but in some doubt
as 10 the young girls power over the beast,
on whose rough neck her almost childish
hand lay. The dog did not seem by any
means reconcilcd to my approach, and
growled wickedly his dissatisfaction.
"Go in, Tiger" said the girl, not in a
voice Of authority, yet in her gentle tones
was the consciousness that she would be
obeyed and as she spoke, she lightly bore
upon The animal with her hand, and he
turned away and disappeared within The
dwelling.
"Who's thatl"
A rough voice asked the question; and
now a heavy looking man took the dogs
place in the doorway.
"WhO are you! What's wanledl"
There was something very harsh and
forbidng in the way he spoke. The CIR
now laid her hand upon hls arm, and lean
cd with gentle pressure against him.
'How far is /, to CT" asked
not dceming it best to say, ia the begin
ming, that | sought a resting place for The
night.
"To CT" growlcd the man, bu
noksO harshly as at first. "lt's good 81,
miles from here"
IA lol'S, distance; and I'm stranger ant
on foot" saiS |, "ll you can make room
for me until morGing, will be very thank
full"
saw the girls hand nave qcie,ly uT
his arm, until it rested upon his shou,l
and she leaned to him sill closer.
Come in. Wen Try what can bs done
for YOU" ~
There was change in the mans voice
that made me wonder.
entered large room in which blazpd
a brisk fire. Before the fire sat two stout
lads, who turned upon me their heavy
eyes, with no very welcome greeting. A
middle aged woman was standing by the
table, and two children were amusing
themselves with kitten on the floor.
"a stranger, mother" said the man who
had given me 40 rude n greeting at the
door; land he wants US to let him stay all
night"
The woman looked at me doubtinCly
for few momens, and then replied cold.
ly:
ave don't keep a public house."
'"lm aware of that, ma'sm." said /.
"Bui night has overlaken me, and it's a
long way yet to c."
"roO far for tired man 10 60 on foot"
said The master Of the house, kindly so it's
no use talking mother; we must give him