The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-05-10

down, or a snowy flake. Alley, could
carry you to England and back again,
without being at all fatigued," and he toss
ed the little girl in his arms.
"No, no, lei me 60, the boys will laugh
at you, Ben," and she struggled.
"What do care? they may laugh at
Ben Bolt as much as they like," and the
brave boy drew himself up proudly. and
pushed the chestnut curls from his broad,
fair forehead: "but did not mean to fright
en- you, Alice" "he con.inued, as he saw
the little girl trembled.
So she put on her bonnet and cloak, and
Ben put her in his arms as if she had been
a bird. while the little tiny thing nestled
down to his shoulders, as he went stum-
bling through the snow, saying gay. pleas
ant things, that made the shy little girl
laugh; and when at length she opened her
mothers cottage door he stood her on the
floor, saying, "there, Mrs. May, l brought
Alice home lest she should be buried in q
snow bank: she's such very little thing
and before Mary could thank him he was
out Of sight.
What brave glorious snow storm it
was though! The boys built a great snow
house, dipping the chunks Of snow in the
water to harden them, so they might last
longer; and then rolled large snow balls
for q pyramid, till it was higher than the
school house. Thsy worked bravely, but
brightest face and pleasantest voice among
Them was Ben Bolts. Such rides as they
had down hill and though the large boys
and girls said Alice was too little and cow
ardly to join them, because she felt fearful
sometimes, yet Ben Bolt held her in his
arms, and away they went, merrily as any
OF the rest.
But the winter began to wane, and now
and then soft, mild day would come that
lessened the snow house materially
'sSuch pity" they said, and wished win.
ter would last always; but there was one
little wren-like voice that prayed for yiolets
and blue birds.
The pyramid tumbled down. the snow
house grew thinner, ard the boys jested
about its being in q decline, till one day il
disappeared-faded away like so many Of
their childish hopes.
The glad spring came with its larks and
daisies. and one delightful day the children
went Maying. Kate Ashley was Queen.
and brilliant Queen she was too, but Ben
Bolt gathered white violets, and braided
them in the soft curls of Alice, and told her
she was sweeter, dearer than thousand
May Queens like Kate. Child, as she
was, his words made the sunshine bright-
or, and lent enchantmentto 10 the atmosphere
Of her existence.
The long June days came .en circling the
green earth with coral of roses, and ma.
king it redolent with perfume; and in the
warm noontide hour the children strolled
to the foot Of the hill. and clustering to-
ge,her, told over their childish hopes Of the
future. Some were lured by ambition;
some dreamed of quiet country repose;
but there was one whose eye kindled and
his face flushed with enthusiasm, as he
spoke OF the sparkling blue waters, and
the brave ships that breasted them SO gal
lanily. -.
Ben Bolt was going to sea. Captain
Shirley, generous, whole-souled being as
ever trod the deck. was to take him under
his protection for the next Eve years
There were exclamations Of surprise and
sorrow from the children; old haunts were
visited and revisited; they sat down in the
shade of the old sycamore, and listened te
the musical murmur of the brook, and the
dreamy hum of "Appleton's mill;" ex.
changing keepsakes. and promised always
TO remember the merry. brave-hearted boy
whose home would be Oh the wide blue
ocean.
Alice May seldom joined them. She
was SO delicate and timid, and the thought
of Ben's departure filled her eyes with
tears, SO she would steal away alone. fear
ful of the ridicule OF her harder compan
ions.
But one night Ben came to Mrs. Mays
cottage, to bid them goodbye. Alice stood
by the window watching the stars and won
dering what made them look SO dim-nev
er thinking of the tears that dimmed hel
eyes as Ben told over his hopes so joyfully
She should not part with him there, so she
walked through. the little door-yard, ant
stood beside the gate, looking like gold
en- crowned angel in the yellow moon
light, and when he told her over again hon
large she would be on his return, that h,
would not dare call her little Alice, then
as he looked back lingeringly. she laid .
soft, brown curl in his hand, saying" :"
have kept it for you this long, long time
Ben; ever since the day you brought mi
home through the snow-do you remem
ber?''
! He did remember, and with one passion
ate burst Of griet he pressed the little CIR
to his bosom. and the brave-hearted boy
sobbed the farewell he could find no words
for.
i But five years are no, always lifetime
j True il was such to the quiet, thoughtfu
Charlie Allan, whose large dark eyes hat
stolen brilliancy from his books; and th'
Laughing little Bel Archer-both were lait
to sleep in the old church-yard. where th'
night.stars shone on their graves. Other
went out to seek future in the gay world
and some grew into miniature men ant
women by their own sweet firesides; bu
Alice May seemed still a child. Yes, sh
was taller and her slight form more grace
fully developed; but there was the SAM
ruble in the olden days. She staid at hom
now, to help her mother in sewing-thei
chief support; but she was the came shy
sweet Alice, that Ben Bolt had carrie.
Through the snow. 80