The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-04-21
The Longest Night im q Life.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

1t was one OF these odlashioned winters, in
the days OF the Georges, when the snow lay on
the ground for weeks, when railroads
known, and the electric telegraph had not been
dreamed OF save by the speculative Countess of
London. The mails had been irregular for month
past, and the letter bags which did reach he post
office had been brought thther with dilficuity.--
The newspapers were devoid OF all foreign nelti-
gence, the metropolis knew nothing OF the dolngs
oC the provinces, and the provinces knew little
more of the affairs Of the metropolis; but the
columns of both were crowded with accidents from
the incemency OF the weather, with heart reading
accounts of starvation and destitution, with
derlul escapes OF adventurous travellers, and OF
still more adventurous malcoachmen and guards.
! Business was almost at standstiD, only
carried on by fits and starts families were mace
uneasy by the frequent long silence Of their absent
members, and the poor were suffering great misery
from cold and famine.
The sourb road had been blocked up for near
ly month, when partial thaw caused public
rcjoIcng; coaches began to run, letters to be
dispatched and delivered, and weather bound ira
veIIers 10 have some hope Of reaching their desti
nation.
Among the first ladies who undertook the jour.
ney from the west of Scotland to London at this
time, was certain Miss Stirling, who had, for
weeks past, desired to reach the metropolis. Her
friends assured her that it foohardy attempt,
and told her Of travellers who had been twice nay
three times, showed up on their way TO town; but
their advice and warnings OF no avail Miss
Strings business was urgent, il concerned others
more than herself and she was not one 10 be de-
TERED by personal discomfort or by physical
difficulties from dong what she thought was
right
So, she kept TO her purpose, and carl in Febru-
ary lock to her seat in the mail for London being
the only passenger who was booked for the whole
journey.
The thaw had continued for some days the
roads, though heavy, were open and with the
aid of extra horses here and there the first half Of
'he journey was performed pretty easily, though
tcdousiy.
The second day was more trying than the first
the wind blew keenly, and penetrated every crevice
Of the coach; the partial ,haw had but slightly af-
lected the wild moorland they had to cross ; thick
heavy clouds we're garhering around the red ray
less sun and when on reaching little road d-sde
inn the snow began to fall fast, both the guard and
coachman urged their solitary passenger TO remain
there fot the night, instead Of tempting the discom-
forts aud perhaps the perils of the next stage
Miss Sterling hesitated for moment but the little
Inn looked by no means a pleasant place to he
showed up in, so she resisted their entreaues and
gathering her iurs more closely round her, she
nestled herself into corner of the coach. Thus,
things in sleep.
A sudden lurch awoke her; and she soon learn
ed that they had stuck fast in smow-drIt and
that no efforts of the tired horses could exricate
the coach from its unpleasant pre1icament. The
guard mounting OF The leaders, set off in search
o assistance, while the coachman comforted Miss
Sterling by telling her, that nearly as they could
calculate, they were only mile or two from Sc the
squres, and that if the guard could find his way
10 The sqUres, the squire certain to come TO
their rescue with his sIedge. 1t was not the first
time that the squire had got the mail bags Of
snow wreath by that means.
The cOachman's expectations were fuIflled-I
Within an hour, the distant tiUkling OF the sedge
bells was heard, aud lights were seen cleaning
alar; they rapidly advanced nearer and nearer
and soon hearty voice was heard hailing them.
party OF men, with laDterns and shovcls, came
TO their assistance, Il strong arm lifted Miss Ster-
ling from the coach, and supported her trmbIing
steps to sledge close at hand ; and almost before
she knell where she was, she found herself in a
large haw, brilliantly lighted by blazing wood
fire. Numbers OF rosy glowing childish faces were
gathering around her, numbers of bright eager |
eyes were gazing curiousIy upon her, kindly hands
were busted III removing her wraps, and pleasant
voices welcomed her and congratulated her on her |
escape.
Ay, ay, Mary" said her host, addressing
MS wife, I" told you that the sleigh would |
have plenty Of work this winter, and YOU see |
was right
"' As you always are, uncle" a merry voice ex-
claimed. {" We all say at Hawtree, that Uncle
Atherton never can be wrong"
"Atherton Hawlree - repeated Miss Stirling,
in snme amazemeni, " and uttered in that familiar
voice! Ellen, Ellen Middleton, is it possible that
you are here o.
A joyful exclamation and rush into her
arms were the young girls ready reply to this
question as she cried, Uncle Athertou, Aun.
Mary, don't you know your old friend Miss Ster.
ing p
Mrs Atherton fixed her soft blue eyes on the
stranger, IN whom she could at first scarcely re-
'ognse the brIght-hared girl whom she had no:
seen Tor eighteen or twenty years but by and by
she satisfied herself that though changed she was
Ellen Stirling still, with the same laughihg ewes
hat had made every one love her in their school !
lays Heartfelt indeed were the greetings which !
oiiowed, and cordial the welcome Mrs Atherton
save her old friend as she congratulated herself on
having dear Ellen under her own roof; more es. :
'"ciaIiy as she owed this good fortune to Mr. Ath-
'rtonss exertions in rescung her. ,
&c Ii is the merest chance, too that he is at home
It present" she said; "he ought TO have been S
n Scotland, out the state Of The roads in this .
leak country has kept him prisoner here for ,
weeks" 6
"And others we'll" Ellen Middleton added /; i
but both children and grown people are only too il