Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-22

OftTIullllS 1IOf1uelCe.
It was towards the close of sultrv
day that Annie, burning with fever, i'm
plored the faithful Abigail to give her a
drink of cold water. fastening to the
water cask, the old woman was disap-
pointed by finding it exhausted, Richard
having drank the last drop, who was still
raving in the delirium of fever, for more
drink.
ssMy dear child, there is no water"
"Oh lam burning dying with thirst.
Give me but one drop, dear Abigail-one
drop of colo 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 shr,lnk from it with disgust, and
and sinking back onh her pillow murmured,
water water! for the love of God give
me drink of water - I
''Where is the pail g said Mrs. Steel.
Il don't much like going alone to that
| we'll: but it is still broad day, and |
know that in reality there is nothing to
fear; | cannot bear to hear the child
moan for drink in that terrible way"
Dear MOTHER" said Richard family,
''don't go; father will be in soon; we
can wait till then
"Oh, the poor dear child is burning r'
cried Abigail a; 'she cannot wait till
then do, ncighbor, go for the water |
will stay with the children, and put out
| the milk while you are away"
Mrs. Steel left the shanty: and a few
| minutes after, the patients, exhausted bv
suffering, fell into a profound sleep.
| Abigail busted herself scalding the milk
| pans, and, inner Joy at the youngpcoplc S
cessation from pain, forgot the mother
altogether. About half an hour had
elapsed, and the mellow light of evening
had faded into night, when Steel returned
| with his oxen from the field.
The moment he entered the shanty he
went up to the bed which contained his
sick children, and, satisfied that the fever
| was abating, he looked round for his
| supper, surprised that it was not, as
usual, ready for him upon the table.
''No water" he cried, ''in the cask,
and supper not ready After working
all day in the burning sun, a man wants
to have things made comfortable for him
at night. Mrs. Winchester are you here
Where is my wife %
''Merciful e goodness exclaimed the
old woman, turning as pale as death, els
she not back from the well g
1.-The well - cried Steel, erasping her
arm.
''How long has she been gone %
This half hour, or more"
Steel made made no answer; his check
was as pale as her oWn-and, taking his
gun from the beam to which it was slung
he carefully loaded it with ball, and
without saying word, left the house.
Day still fingered upon the open prairie
but the moment he entered the bush il
was deep night lie had crossed tht
plain with rapid strides, but as he ap
preached the swamp his step became slow
and cautious. The we'll was in the cen
tire of gungle, from the front of which
Richard had cleared away the brush tt
facilitate their access to the water: as h,
drew near the spot, his ears were chilled
by a low, deep growing. and the crunch
ing Of teeth, as if some wild animal wa,
devouring the sbones Of its prey. Th'
Dreadful truth, with all its shocking
heart-revolting reality, flashed upon the
woman, and for amoment paralyzcd him
The precincts of the well We're within
range of his rifle, and dropping down upon
his hand and knees, and ncrving his arm
for clear aim, he directed his gaze to the
spot from whence the fatal sounds pro
ceeped. A little on one side of the well
a pair Of luminous eyes glared like greer
lamps at the edge of the dark wood, ant
the horrid sounds which curdled the blood
Of the yeoman became more distinctly au
dible.
Slowly Steel raised his rifle to his
shoulder, and setting his teeth. and hold
ing his breath, he steadily aimed at &
space between these glowing balls of fire
The sharp report Of the rifle awoke the
far echoes of the forest. The deer leaped
up from his lair. the wolf howled and FED
into the depths Of the wood, and the pan
ther, for such it was, sprang several feet
into the air. then fell across the mangled
remains Of his victim.
Richard Steel rose from the ground the
peTspiration was streaming from his brow
his limbs trembled and shook, his lips
moved convulsively, and he pressed bis
hands upon his heayinr breast TO keer