The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-03-25
l SelrrtpA Sturu.
From Porter's Spirit
A ,sIaHT ON LAKE WINNIPPIs-
SEOGEE.
By CLARA AUGUSTA.

BIZ CLARA AUGUSTA.
EVENING set in cold aud gray. Until
noon, the sky had been clear: but, as the
sun declined, thick, leaden haze had ob
scured his sickly light, and appearance
gave promise Of tho coolest night Of AN
unusually cold season. The up train on
the G. Railroad was detained by the
immense drlfts OF SNOW, which had formed
upon the lines; and it WAS past nine O'clock
when The putting locomotive cane SLOWLY
and iaborouSly up to the little depot sr
A., the nor heru terminus Of the
route.
AZ IS usual IN country, as well AS in
places more thickly settled, quite Il little
company had assembled in the PRINCIPAL
room OF the building, to talk over the Sc
we're weather, aud discuss the probability
"f tie non arrival Of the train that n,pbt.
with the fist sound ofthe ominous wills
tie, The narrow door Of the depot WAS crow
u ii with anxious heads, each striving To-
pierce further into the darkness than it's
lie Ihbor.
Ihe usual variety OF passengers siight
ed; each one ANXIOUS about hls or her
baggage, and each one particularly certain
that II WAS IN just the place where the
ffeight.master protested II WAS not; but, As
II Is with onl y one Of this motley assemh
lsge that we have to do, We will pas, the
Others silently by.
She was a young lady, our heroine. and
dressed with extreme elegance. Spring
'ng hastily To the'platform scarcely touch
'ng the extended hand Of the geniIemauiv
conductor, she gazed anx,ousIg around
her TOR moment, and then made her
way TO the winuow Of the Office, which
WAS pushed back, 10 allow the official
within to receive the express boxes, and
seperate the mails. The man started MS
her low musical tones fell on his ear.
"Can you tell me the distance to Wolf.
burn :"
Twelve miles, marin; and no passage
there tor i've days; roads completely block.
ed J. and he WAS turning away.
She put out her hand 10 stav him.
"No passage 1T cannot be must be
IN Wollburn within four hours, sit! Ny
mother Is dying there!"
"Sorry-rery sorry, indeed but il IL
an utter irnpossIbiIity to thuk of doing
such thing! Why, marin, the therrnoms
Ter stands at 10 degrees below zero, this
very minute, and twill be still lower be
fore midnightv"
81 know the cold is intense l dare saw
the way is replete with danger; but my
Ino'her, the mother who brought me into
existence! is dying there, and uust go
to her" The voice OF the girl became
choked and broken as she ceased.
ats hard case, | must admit; but it's
no use to think Of attempting TO get TO
Wolfburn night-the coach road is as
impossible As the Alps, and the only track
IL cross the Lake; but neither man nor
beast could live on that bleak route half
the distance! / am sorry, marin; but
only speak the truth about it,"
The pale face of the young lady bleach
ed still palei, but her voice was firm.
"Cod aud perilous though it be, must
go to my mother. Were | sick. shs
would move heaven and earth, but she
would ltaud by my bedside cannot let
her die, and / SO very near her, and vet
not IN her presence! must 90, il | 60
on foot and alone y
Rash girl it would be no better than
suicide to attempt the passage OF the WIN
nipisseogee on such night Ms this, even
with a strong horse and an experience
guide; and such cannot be found, who
will brave the horrors Of the night, for love
or money ~
LADY will 60 with you!" and the
crowd parted before the tall. finely built
young man who came hastily to the side
OF the strange girl. II am unknown to
you, and my station in life is humble but
ifyou viii trust me, tls confidence shall
not be misplaced u He removed the cap
from his head, and stood erect and dignl.
fed before her--a strikingly handsome
youth, clad in rough garb Of gray
There was the fire Of lofty spirit burning
In his deep, hazel eye, and round the class.
ically carved lips dwelt an expression half
stern. half tender. The clear eye Of the
lady met his fixed yet respectful gaze.
sesrchingly-she put her hand TO his.
God bles. YOU. srl" There 10 one
true heart in New Hampshirel will trust
you'll
An expression OF pride and gratitude
swept over the young mans face, and he
bent his head low before Ter as he said
" In half AN hoar will return for you,"
and with firm, elastic step, he left the
depot.
The young lady dropped into seat by
the ire. and, covering her face with her
hands, seemed lost in painful reSeGe.-
The lis,lesa changers on" about the place
gathered together, in little knot about
the Office wIndow-thers was a new sub