The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-05-14


aTwelve miles, marm;. and. no passenger
there for FIVE days; roads completely blocked9"
and he was turning away. y 60
She put out her hand fostay him. "No pas
sage?-it G c4nnot bel must be ii Wolfburn
within four hours, cir! Ny mother. is dying
there!" ~ O. &
"Sorry-very sorry, inseed! but 1t is an
utter impossibility to think of Going such a
thingi Why, marin, the thermometer stands at
10 degrees below zero. this very minute, and
twill be still lover before midnightl''
81 know the cold is intense; dare say the
way is replets with danger; but my mother,
the mother who brought me into existence! is
dying there, and must 60 to her!'' The voice
Of the young girl became choked and broken
as she ceased. ma ~
"It is a hard ease I must admit; but it's no
use to think OF attempting TO ge. to Wolfburn
to-night-the coach road Is a. impassabie as
the Alps, and the only track is across the lake;
but neither man nor beast c,ald live on that
bleak route half the distance! Lam sorry,
marm; but I only speak .hs truth about it,"
The pale face Of the yoang lady blsnchec
Stlll paler, hat her voice was firm.
"Ccld and periIous though it would be, I
must 60 to my mother. Were sick. she
would move heaven and earth, but she would
stand by my bedside! ,Icannot let her die.
and so very near her, and yet not in her pres
snce! I must 60, if go on foot and aloner'
Crash girl it would be no better than sui-
eide to attempt the passageof the Winnipisseo-
gee on such light as this, even with a strong
horse and experienced guide; anG sach cannot
b. found, who will brave the horrors Of the
night, for love or money!"
.'Lady, will 60 with yon!" and the crowd
parted before the tall, faely built ,oung man
who came hastily to the side OF the strange
girl. II am unknown to you, and my station
in life is humble; but il yos will trust me, the
confidence shall not be misplaced!' He, re-
moved the cap from his head and stood erec,
and dgaifici before her--a s.rkingIy hand
some youth, clad in rongh garb of gray
There va. tl,e fire OF lefty spirit burning in
his deep, hazle eye, and around the classica IL
carved lips dyelt an expression half stern,
half tender. The clear blue eyes of the lady
me, his fixed yet respectful gaze, searchingly )
she pat hcr hand in his.
.'God bless you, silp' There is one true
heart in New Hampshirel Twill trust youp'
An expression Of pride aud gratitude swept
over the young mans face, and he ben. his
head low before her as he said-"in half
an hour will return for you," ana with firm
elastic step he left the depot. I'll
The young lady dropped into seat By the
FIRE, and, covering her face with her hands.
seemed lost in painfnl reverie. The iiatless
'shangers-on" about the place gathered 'ose,h-
er in little knot abou' the Office window
there was new subject to discuss.
s'Fool enough is Will Argensen to under
take the crossing Of the Lake Tonight He'll
he frozen stiff in my opinion afore the day
hreaks.' exclaimed an old man, evidently 'he
oracle of the company.
"And the gal PITTS a shame, though, for
| she's sweet lcokin' critter! Heaven PITY her.
ard take care OF her! for she'll reed somebody's
care before the nights through!
"She's in good hands though" said third
member Of the circle, withdrawing his pipe
from his mouth as he spoke, 9for Willis as no
BILE lad as ever breathed the air of Hanp-
shire! He knows every inch OF the Winnie, as
well as know the road to mill; and his horse
is a powerful deal more intelligent than many
human folks, any how!'' -
"Arge ,esen will do well enough il there
ainf squall; but il strikes me the sky looks
rather hazy, and depend upon Il, this lull amt
for nothin' - Aid fourth, peering anxiorsly
out into the darkness; sand il there shonid
be sqnall--a regular "white-sye'' then
then"--and the Speakers Involuntary .hudder
finished tn. sentence. The men drew closer
together. as il for mutual protection, and there
was silence Of afew moments, broken at last
by the old man who had h-st spoken.
"Only last winter, poor Henry Bercher was
frozen to death on the shore Of Rattlssnake
Island; and just week a.terward, poor Cap
tain Deer--besn on the Lake alI his lifetime
got bewildered in the squalls, and died out
there all alone in the dark and cold, and his
folks to home settin' up to daylight expectin'
him! Oh, 1t was awful--dreadfui to think Of
hut nothin' to what il would be II young
tender, beautiful woman'' Ia tear wet the har.
dy face Of the old monptaineer, and he turned
to dry it on his coarse handkerchief.
At this moment the brisk Jingle Of sleigh
bells was heard At the door, and before the
eager listeners could spring forward 10 open il
upon the new conner, VIII Argensen entered,
wrapped IN in buffalo robe.
~ an ready to attend you to wolfburn, il
you still think Of goins.' he said. addressing
the lady. She arose quickly at the .ound OF
his voice, and accepting the large blanket
which the ticket-ma-ter kindly offered her
as further protection against the inclemeut
weather, she followed her conductor out into
the sleigh which awaited them. Argensen
wrapped the buffalo closely around her, and
attaching the large glass lantera, which he
had carried in his hand, to the front Of the
cutter he sprang in. The horse was large
powerfully built animal, Of dark iron.gray;
and his fiery eyes, as well as bis long slender
neck showed him spirited a. strong.
The eager crowd Of oilers left their warm
quarters bv tha instde stova AMI x.fh evs A