Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-06-29
N | s c E L L. A N Y 5.
From tae> n Rsekold M ds
THE LONGEST NIGHT IN LIEE.
By CHARLES DICKENS.


II was one Of those old fashioned winters.
in the days of the Georges, when the snow
lay or the ground for weeks, when rsilways
had not been dreamed of save BY the spec
ulatise Countess Of London The mails had
been irregular for month past, aud the let
terbags which did reach the postofice had
bee u brought thither with difficulty. The
newspapers were devoid of all foreign intel
ligence, the metropolis knew nothing Of the
doihgs Of the provinces, and the provinces
knew little mere Of the affairs Of the me-
tropolis but columns of both were crowded
with accidents from the inqlemency Of the
weather, with heartrending accounts ofstar-
walton and destitution, with wonderful es-
canes of adventurous travellers, and of still
more adventurous niailcoachmeaPnd guards
Business was almost at stand still. or was
ouly carried onjby frs aad starts families
. we're made uneasy by the frequent long 81
lence Of their absent members, and tue poor
were suffering great misery from cold. and
/ famine.
/ The south road had been blocked up for
nearly d month. when partial thaw almost
caused a public rejoicing; coaches began to
run, letters to be dispatched and delivered,
aud bound travellers to have SHINE
hope of reaching their destination.
Among the FIRST ladies who undertook the
iourney from the vest of Scotland to Lon
don, at this time. was certain Miss Stir.
ling, who had, for weeks past, desired to
reach the metropolis Her friends assured
her that it was foolhardy attempt. ,and
told her Of travellers who had Been twice,
! nav three times, showed up 90 their wai to
town but their advice aud warnings we're
of no avail; Miss Strings business wa4 ur
I gent. il concerned others more than herself
4 aud she was not one 10 be deferred by per
sonal discomfort or BY physical difficulties
| from doing what she thought was right
/ So, she kept her purpose, apd early il
February took her seat in the mail for lion
don. being the only passenger who vas look
ed for the whole journey,
The thaw had continued for some days
the roads. though heavy, were open ant
with the aid Of extra horses here and TIER,
the Erst half Of the journey was perforated
pretty easily, though tediously.
The second day was more trying than th
6rst the wind blew keenly, aud penetrated
every creviee Of the coach the partial ttsaN
had but slightly affected the Wild moorlaa'
they had 20 cross thick heavy clouds wtr
gathering round the red rayless sur az
when, on reaching little roadside inn, CD
snow began 70 fail fast. both the guard al
eOaehnen urged their solitary passenger g
remain there for the night, instead OF temp
ting the discomfcrts and perhaps perils Z
the next stage Miss Stirling besitated q
moment, but the little inn looked BY ?
means pleasant place to be snowed up =
so she resisted their entreaties, and. gathe.l
ing her furs more closely round her, 81
nestled herself into corner o. the coach 1
Thus. for time she lost all eaasciousness1
outward things in sleep. 4
A sudden lurch awokc her and she 500
learned that they had stuck fast in sndl
drift, and that no efforts Of thss tired horsi
could extricate the coach from. its nnples
an, predicament The guard moanting Of
of the leaders, set of in searchsof assistance
while the coachman comforted Miss SIT
/ ling b. telling her, that as nearly as tht
could calcdiate, they we're only mile or "
from !. the squirs's," and thaEif the guar
.. could find his way 70 the squiiss, the squi
. vas certrin 20 come 10 their rescue With B
y sleice Il vas mol the first time that Il
/ squire had got the mail-bags ons Of . sno
wreath b. that meaus. :.
5 The coaohmnn's expectations were ful6
5 cd. Within an hour. The distant tinkling
/ the sledee bells was heard, ana lights We
, / seen cleaning afar they rapidly ady1be
nearer and nearer; and soon hearty vol