Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-06-16
THE STORY TELLER.
THE FAITHFUL SERVANT.


Jar0Sia0, his Vile and their uttle 0augnteI 1e-
lena, and their faithful servant Erick, in a
heavy chariot and four, driven by two postil-
lions, drew up at the only inn of the little town
ofKobrin They were returning from their
travels in Europe-and as the baron had al
ready overstayed the time he had intended to
be absent from home, and the weather every
day grew worse, he was anxious to press for
ward with all the speed possible. The fur
caps of the postilions, the long names and tails
of the horses, and even the rough weather port
manteaus which were strapped on to the roof
of the carriage, were white with frost; clouds
of steam rose from the weary beasts, as they
were embarrassed, and made their haloes round
the halter which the hostler held in his hand I;
and the landlord coming up to the door of his
chariot, observed that of course his honor
would not think of proceeding further.
Not if / were at liberty to follew my own
fnclinations,' said the baron; 'but as it is we
are pressed for time, and we must get over
another stage tonight
1T is long one sir said the lapdlord, some
thirty Wrists at the least, and you have the for
est of Roster to pass. There the road is bad,
and dare say the snow is deep, and the wolves
are getting hungry"
'Oh, am not afraid of the wolves cried the
baron; 'they would not dare to attack car
riage so early in the year as this. Let US
have four good horses, landlord, and we may
be in by nine, for it is not more than half past
six
well, sir, wilful man must have his own
way. only hope you may not repent your
determination. Horses on directly, Nicholas.
But may be, your honor and your hopor's lady
will take something hot, for you will need it
before you get to BOlisvo.'
So cup of spiced wine was brought for the
travellers; and Erick had double portion.-
He sat wrapped up in large fur cloak, on
low kind of box in front; for the baron's car
riage, though old-fashioned, had been built in
England. In few moments, the fresh horses
were haInessed, and the postillions cracked
their whips, and amid the thanks and good
nights of the landlord, the carriage rolled
on.
1T is bitterly cold, said the baroness, as she
pulled the cloak more completely round her,
and took the little Helena on her lap; sit is
bitterly cold, and a most fearful night to travel
in.'
IF the moon can only break through the
clouds, as she is trying to do, we shall have
very pleasant ride,' replied the husband
'What, Catharine, Russian, and afraid of
little snow.'
well, am glad that we have come on,
too said the, wife; it is pleasant to think
that every mile we travel brings us nearer
to home and my dear little Nicholas nd'Fred-
erica
They were now passing over wild moor,
and the wind whstled mournfully round the
carriage, driving and chasing the snow before
it, for it was showing heavily. The glare of
the lamps cast kind of ghastly haze on the
immediate neighborhood of the carriage, and
seemed to make the dark distance still dark
er.
'Oh, mamma! = cried little Helena. 'let me
come closer to you; it makes me quite afraid
TO look out of the window
why, what should you be afraid of my
lovei'
'One is always afraid in the dark, you know
mamma; and then just listen to the wind
how it howls.'
my dear child, there is One to whom the
darkness is no darkness, and who maketh the
wind his minister. We are as safe in his pro-
lection here as if we were in our own dear
home, with warm roof over our head, and a
bright fire roaring up the chimney. See, the
moon is just coming out, and we will not have
to journey in the dark
Thus, amidst the occasional questions and
answers, the carriage rolled on for some miles.
The clouds passed off; the moon was walking
in brightness the wheels rolled on nOiseless-
ly over the snow; and as far as the eye could
see was one glistening sea Of white. And
now the moor was almost passed; struggling
trees, the vanguard of the great forest of Ros-
ter, began to appear on both sides; they be-
came thicker and thicker, and the earth swelled
up into banks, and then sunk into Valleys
But now the hollows could scarcely be traced,
for the snow had drifted much right and left ;
thousands of pines, which would make a torch
light even in the summer noon, were now al
most shrouded in darkness. Here and there
larch spread ont its featherY arms, and occa-
sionally leafess oak might be seen, sturdy in
its winter nakedness, and moaning dismally to
the wind. On passed the carriage, and still
the pines clustered thicker, and Except in the
very road) the shades grew deeper; and there
was that same solemn sound which is made by
the clashing and roaring of hundred thousand
branches.
sWhat is Erick looking at!' asked the bar
oness: for the box was so low that the occu-
pant could be seen from the front window OF
the carrige.
Il cannot tell, said her husband 'but ne
must have good eyes if he can make out any
thing
'Hark! what is thatl' said his wife, as
long, low, melancholy howl, different from the
wind, and yet like it, was heard 70. moment,
and then died away. orr tsa' io TrassT