Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-09-12
an Original Gale.
Written for the Fremont Journal.
MABEL SULLIVAN; OR,
THE ADOPTED SISTER.
BIZ LILLY LARKsPUR
BIZ LILLY LARKsPUR


1t was at the close of cold md dreary
day Of December. All day violent snow
storm had ragged fearfully, and as night ap-
preached its fury seemed only to increase.
The fierce wind howled madly around the
stately farm house of old farmer Aston; but
it could not penetrate those substantial
walls into that peaceful home. The good
old farmer laid aside the paper that had
occupied his attention for the last hour, and
drew his chair up nearer the bright, blazing
fire. For a long time he remained silent,
with his eyes riveted on the glowing Goals,
and evidently in deep thought. In vain
did his good wife endeayor to draw him into
conversation. In vain did she cast scruti-
nizing glances from her knitting-work, into
his ewes, to learn what were his secret re-
Elections. At length he abruptly said
aWife can't stand it any longer. Do you
hear the cold wind bowling without, and
don't you know the Snow has been falling
fast all day, and is still falling, so that the
roads must be entirely impossible, and who
knows but that some poor creature is suf-
fering now, out in this dreadful storm?-
For the last half hour 1 have fancied the
shrieks of some poor wretch mingling with
the roaring blast" "Oh, my DEAR" said
his wife, 'don't expose yourself tonight. 1t
is now nearly ten o'clock, and | am sure 1t
is only notion that has come into your
head, so think no more about it." 'Do not
hinder me-" said he, "ffor go I must, so tell
Betty to get my great coat and snow-shOes,
and call Jack to accompany me with the
lantern" The old farmer and his work boy,
Jack were soon on their errand of mercy
And difficulty task they found it to bat
tie with the fierce storm and iercer winds.
The earth seemed enveloped in a shroud Of
darkness. Not an object was preceptible'
al tell you," muttered Jack, who was not
the best tempered in the world, (having
been called up from his comfortable bed tc
accompany his master on this adventure
d tell you this will prove to be nothing more
than a mere FOOLS Grand. No one would
have yentured out in the storm tonight, and
had they been out suffering through the
day, some one would have certainly seen
them" aFools errand or not" said tho
kind old farmer, "we are only doing our du
tv. and as VIC would like to be done by
and if we save one poor creature from al
untimely death, our trouble will be vel
repaid"
One hour had they spent in toiling Oh
through the storm and bitter cold, and ye
had gone no moro than half mile
on account of the many difficulties encoun
tered by the deep snow. Here farmer Ash
ton stopped, and turning to Jack said, "Wel
nv bov. we will proceed no farther. Al
ready begin to feel the effects of the pierc
inc cold" He accordingly took the horr
which he had thoughtfully brough wit
him. and blew a loud blast which sounde'
far upon the wiltry air. He listened for
response and was startled by a low, death
like groan, not more than three feet fron
them. They approached the spot fror
whence the sound came, and by the flicker
inc light of their lantern, preceleved, haI
buried in the drifting snow, two persons;
woman about middle age, and young gu
about twelve years of age. Each Of GU
adventures took burden in his arms an
fastened with all possible speed, back t
the farm house. They found it much NOR
difficult TO retrace their steps than 1t ha
been before, as the snow drifts had increase
very rapidly. But hope and fear kept the
hearts strong. Fear, that their heavy bu
dens were only lifeless caskets Of death, an
hope, that they might still contain a spar