The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-07-31

usually cold season. The up train on th'
C-Ra Railroad was detained by th'
immense drifts of snow, which had form
ed upon thu lines; and it was past nine
o'clock when the putting locomotive came
r slowly and laboriously up to the depot a
|, 4, the northern termination OF thu
route. 80 ~.
As i us,ial in the country, as well a
in places more thickly settled, quite a lit
lie company had assembled in the princl
pal room OF the building, TO talk over the
severe weather, aud discuss the non-arrlva
of the train that night. With the hrs'
sound of the ominous whistle, the narrow
door of the depot was crowded with anx'
ions heads. each striving TO pierce farther
into the darkness than his ncighbor. The
usua! variety of passengers alighted; each
one was anxious about his orher baggage,
and each one particularly certain that II
was in Just the place where the freight
master protested it was not; but as 1t Is
with only one of this motley assemblage
that We have to do, we will pass Others
silently by.
She was a Young lady, our heroine, and
was dressed with extreme elegance
Sprinrinc hastily to the platform, scarce
lv touching the hand. OF the conductor,
she gazed anxiously around her for mo-
ment, and then made her way to the
window of the office, which was pushed
back TO allow the official within to re-
ceivc the express boxes, and separate the
mails. The man started as her low,
musical tones fell OH his ear.
"Can you tell me the distance to Wolf
burnt
Twelve miles, marin; and no passage
there for five days; roads completely
blocked up" and then was turning
away.
She put ont her hand to stay him.
mo passage !-it cannot be. lmust be
in Wollbum within four hours, sir. My
mother Is diving there"
"Sorry-very sorry, indeed. but 1t Is
an utter impoSsibility to think of doing
such thing, Why, marin, the ther-
mometer stands a, 10 degrees below zero
,his very minute and twill be still lower
before midnight
IL know the cold is intense; | dare
say the way is replete with danger; but
NV mo hcr-the mother who brought me
into existence is dying there and must
20 to her." the voice OF the young girl
became chokcd and broken as she ceased.
Its hard case, must admit; but
it's no use to think ofattemptingto to get to
Wolburn to-night-the coac. road is as
impassableas the Alps, and the only track
il across the lake; but neither man nor
beast could live on that bleak route halt
the distance am sorry marin, but |
only speak the truth about it,"
The pale face of the young lady blanch-
cd still paler, but her voice was firm.
Gold and perilous though it be, must
go to nv mother. Wercl sick, she would
move heaven and earth, but she would
stand by nv bedsidel cannot let her
die, and 80 very near her, and not in
her presence. must 30, If | have to 20
on foot and alone"
Rash girl, 1t would be no better
than suicide to attempt the passage OF
Winuipisseogee on such night ms this,
even with strong horse and experienced
guide; and such cannot be found, who
will brave the horrors OF the night, for
love or money.
LADY, | will 30 with YOU" and the
crowd parted before a tall, finely built
Young man who came hastily TO the side
of the Young girl. IL am unknown to
YOU. and nv station in life is humble {;
but if YOU will trust Inc, the confidence
shall not be misplaced" He removed
the cap from his head and stood erect and
dignitied before her-a strikingly hand
,ome youth clad in rough gart of grey.
There was the fire OF lofty spirit burning
in his deep hazel eve, aud around the
classically carved lips dweit an expression
half stern, half tender. The clear blue
ewes of the lady met his fixed yet respect
fal gaze, searchingly-shc put her hands
in his.
"God bless YOU, sir. There is one true
heart in New Hampshire. / will trust
YOU,
An expression of pride and gratitude
swept over the young mans face, and
bending his head low before her he said
l-"In half an hour will return for you,"
and with firm elastic step, he left the
depot.
| The young lady dropped into aseat by
the fire, and covering her face with her
hands, she seemed lost in painful reverie.
The lis,Iess "hangcrs-on" about the place
gathered together in a little knot before
the office window-,herc was n new sub
iect to discuss.
"Fool enough is Will Argenscn TO un.
T dertake the crossing the Lake tonight
He'll be frozen stiff" exclaimed an old
man evidently the oracle OF the company.
And the gal FITS shame, though,
for she's a sweet lookin' critter. Heaven
pity her, and take care of her. for she'll
need somebody's care before the night is
through (" -.
-She's in good hands, though" said
n third member of the coterie, withdraw
, Ing his pipe from his mouth as he spoke,
..for Wits As noble u lad as ever breath
ed the air OF Hampshire. He knows
every inch OF the Winnie, as well as l
know the road to the mill; and his horse
is a powerful deal more intelligent than
many human folks, anyhow.
..Argcnsen will do well enough If there
amt squall; but it strikes me the sky
|, looks rather hazy, and depend upon 1t,
, this lull amt for nothing" said fourth
peering ansioasly out into the darkness
and ii there should be a squall-a regu-
lar white eye,'-then-then-'a the
speakers involuntary shudder finished the
. sentence. The men drew closer together
, as il for mutual protection, and there Was
4 Il = l.. lat