Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-08-16

Richards, on the night of Mr.. Vernon's
party kept wondering to myself wheth-
er the poor little efTand girl was facing all
this, with her hollow cough and racking
pains and my anxiety made the day
scarcely endurable. / could not 90 ont,
Maggie, for never saw such storm /:
and all night along l lay listening for a
Hull in the tempest: but none came. 1
determined that would go in the morn
ing in spite of anything. But the morn.
not quite SO high. The sidewalks, how
ever. were like sheets of glass. 1 could
not ask for the carriage and horses in
such case, and it was as much as my
life was worth to venture out on foot
and for such long walk too, so I had
to endure another day of suspense. At
night when the voice of the tempest had
lulled me to sleep, my dreams were still
tinged with the anxieties of the day. 1
saw little children with their dying eyes
cast up to the heaven which seemed to
shut them out forever stiffening fingers
that played with snow-wreaths, that had
scarce known the touch of living flowers !;
! little hands that were drawing snow
shrouds about them, as if under the white
folds they would find warmth at last !;
supPlicating voices calling out above the
tempest, " am sick and cold, my moth
er, oh, my mother - all these with utter
powerlessness on my part to help them,
made it a night of agony.
awoke the next morning to find what
seemed TO me to be the bIuest sky and
brightest sun that l ever saw. Every
tree and shrub, every twig, was as if en-
cased in flashing diamonds.
Before breakfast was we'll over, some
friends of my cousins called to take them
sleighing; the gay world will have its
pleasure, Maggie, and the snow lasts
but few hours at this season. 1 knew
that my visit to Anthony street would be
positively objected to, if known, SO I put
on my walking dress, and was Just hur-
rying off, when Mr.. Blanchard's light
sleigh and spendid horses came dashing
up to the door.
"Just caught you in timc," said he, as
he jumped out, and threw the reins to the
servant, this snow will be all gone by
three o'clock, so We must make the most
of it,"
am ashamed to confess it, but for a
moment was sorry that felt it my duty
to go to Mrs. Richards. 1t was only for
a moment though, and with voice, in
which, l think, there was not regret lin
gering, declined the invitation, at the
same time giving my reason.
That is all right" said he in his kind
way, will drive you down there, and
after you have accomplished your mission
there will still be plenty of time for fine
ride" ....
This arrangement satisfied me entirely,
so in few moments we were whirling
along and I, with my usual impetuosity,
was pouring out my troubles of the last
two days and nights. In an incredibly
short time VIC reached Anthony street,
Mr.. Blanchard handed me out, and said,
that as his horses was warm he would
drive around for a few squares, and then
call for me again. assembled the stairs
and knocked at Mrs. Richards room door.
She opened it herself with face of trou-
BILE. She did not give me time to ask
a question, but glanced with such heart
broken look, toward the bed, that shall
never forget it, Maggie. There lay little
Anna. with her breath coming pantingly
through her parted lips, her blue, sunken
eyes intently following every motion Of her
mother, and her thin, white fingers draw
ing the scanty covering closer around her
throat. leaned over and spoke a few
words to her, before noticed the strange,
damp chill of the room. The little stove al
most insufficient for comfort At the best Of
times, was dark and cold and looked as If
it had not known a fire for days. Oh! Mag
gle, to think that whilst had drawn back
from -curtained windows to glow
ing CRATE fire, shivering with cold, this
mother had broken up part Of her furni-
ture to burn, and when that failed, had
taken off her own clothing and spread it
on the bed to keep little warmth in the
body of her dying child.
"Have you doctor ?'' asked hur-
riedly.
A hopeless No. was the reply.
"Forgivc me. Mrs. Richards, but this
is no time for false delicacy, you are in
want Of almost everything, amt you ?''
" She has not tasted a mouthful since
this time yesterday said the mother,
glancing to the bed, and great tears came
to her eyes.
rushed down stairs, and found little
boy making snowb balls at the door. With
the promise of shilling on his return. 1
got him to 60 and buy an armful of wood,
which is kept at small shops in neighbor-
hoods like this, and retailed out at high
prices; went myself for loaf of bread,
some tea and some sugar, and was just
going in the door with them when Mr..
Blanchard drove up.
Il cant go with you,' said I, hurried
ly, % little Anna is dying, and there is
neither fire nor food in the house. I've
just sent for an armful OF wood.''