Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-12-06

in such night as this" and as James
spoke he went to the window, adding,
don't think father and mother will come
it storms SO if they are on the road
they'll put up somewhere"
The old mans breath smelt of rum,
answered Richard, and if he can buy
that he can buy lodging l did pity
the girl to be sure, for when | told
them that the tavern was two miles off
she said, Oh, dear, that seems great
ways"
Father says its only encouraging
folks to drink, if you do anything for
them when they wander about SO" con-
tinued Richard
He did. indeed, repeat an oft-heard
sentiment of his fathers, when he said,
for. though worthy man in most re-
spects, Mr. Graham was one of those
who remembered the poor only so
far as the sufferers were good and virtu-
GUS aud struggling hard to support them
selves
But the holier and better teachings of
his wife had given the children other feel
ings, and Richards conscience smote him
when little Annie quietly said
=" Mother wouldn't have sent them away
if the man did drink rum"
" You promised US story, cousin Ma
rian,' said Richard, glad to turn from
painful subject g tell US about old times,
| like those bestn
3 Tell about war;" said James.
" About Indians" said Fred.
Tell US about something you never
told US before" said quiet boy in the
corner.
If the gifted Marian had one power in
perfection, it was that highly valued but
rare gift of telling stories There was
long low seat in the kitchen, which they
called settle" 1t answered the pur-
pose Of wood box and sofa in the winter
evenings, and being painted bright red and
vanished, it looked like a good natured
face in front of the fire
On this the children used to set for
hours and listen to cousin Marian's en-
chanting stories, which were usually the
thrilling realities of history dressed in
her own glowing thoughts. Sometimes
she recited an old fairy tale or some wild
legend of early times, but tonight the
white plumed dove lay lovingly by her,
and her eyes rested sadly on its trembling
breast, as it uttered these low moaning
sounds, which nothing on earth can equal
in plaintive sadness Marian's heart beat
time to the mournful notes, for there were
noble feelings striving against her woman's
fearfulness thoughts of poor sufferers in
that wild storm, of their peril, and it
might be of their death. She rose reso-
lutely and said
g am going to find those beggars"
As she spoke she began to wrap shawl
around her, while her lovely face glowed
with courageous feeling.
Don't go" pleaded little Annie, "youll
be all buried up in snow"
"God will take care Of me, Annie she
answered, laying the blue eyed dove in the
child's lap
You shall not go alone, cousin Ma
rian," said Richard, whose better feelings
were awakened by a little reflection.
I'll carry the lantern said James,
for. rough boy as he was, he knew how to
admire her heroic resolution, and he knew
the peril Of such an errand.
While they were hastily wrapping cloaks
and coats around them, we will follow the
beggars on their lonely path
. "That house looked some like our old
home, didn't it, pa" said the pale, sad
hearted girl, as she looked back on the
sheltered house where shelter had been
refused them " oh, how | wish we were
back where we used to live" she added as
the old man walked on silently.
" You have forgotten, haven't you, that
the old place don't belong to US now," he
answered harshly don't worry about it,
for we can't help it now.n
Z" 1 know it," she said sadly" "we have
nc home anywhere"
On, how mournfully those simple words
were spoken, bearing the tale of young
heart crushed and blighted, of young
hopes chilled forever. 1t touched the
heart of the hardened father, and he
drew his motherless child close to his side,
murnuring
Poor dove poor Isabel ]"
Ay, the beggar-girl bore that proud
name, and she had graced it in happier
days, when her father was an honored
and trusted man; when the noblest
vessel Oh the broad lakes was his own +;
before rum had ruined a godlike intellect,
and wasted princely fortune
1t was dark now in those forsaken
hearts. even as on Gods earth and their
path was lost. Faster came down the
binding snow, and in their utter desola-
ton the wanderers at last sat down, un-
able to proceed and weary with exer-
ton. And now the neglected Isabel lay
folded in the bosom of the father whose
fallen fortunes she had so devotedly fol-
lowed, and hot tears fell from his eyes on
her pale face.
Isabel. darling, can you forgive me
that | have deprived you of love and
home, and everything on earth can you
forgive me for being drunkard e.
Oh, father, do not talk of these things
now; | am happy in dying with you, my
! dear father
Shadowy phantoms gathered dimly
around the repenting man, pointing far
back to lost home and character, to the
grave Of broken-hearted wife, and to
the fast-closing eyelids of his gentle
daughter Broken words of agony and
contrition mingled with the hollow