The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-02-25

Was SOule uOlue WHITE leIIol, oii hCi az
count, caused wakeful eyes and pining
hearts, aud l should have the joy of be-
slowing their child to them; and so, in
spirited by these thoughts, 1 pressed on
ward, and, to my great rejoicing, discov-
cred cart-t track, which 1 judged to lead
to some mine. Following this for time,
l at length deserted steady light, which
[ believed to come from a cottage, and
strengthened by the hope, made my way
towards it, and found that a decent-look-
ing hut, built Of blocks of moorstone, was
before me, and through its window shone
the light of cheerful fire. l knocked at
the door, but obtained no answer. l
knocked again, but though heard sounds
from within, still received no answer
Then 1 called, and represented my case
and that of my poor little companion,
whose voice was now joined in with mine
in begging nanny to cope door" A
woman's heart was within, for as soon as
the child was mentioned, the door was un-
barred. Little Kitty seemed bewildered
by the light, and by not finding her moth
err as the poor babe had seemed to expect,
and the woman who had opened the door
took her from me, and exclaiming: "Bless
the POOR little maid, hers in party pickle,
sure enough" led her to the fire, 10y which
stood table with bread and other food
on it, looking much as if some one had
hastily left it. The house consisted of
one long low room, open to the rafters, and
t; little lean-to which opened from it, and
seemed sort of wash-house. Two beds
occupied one end, in one of which lay
some one, but whether it was male or
female l could not TELL as the whole per-
son, head and all, was covered with the
bed-clothes.
''Tis my son, sir" said the woman:
''he's sick"
Il am DOCTOR" said I: ''can I pre-
scribe for him?"
"There's no need" said she hastily, see
irg me turn towards the bed "He's fast
asleep now, and its only bit of a cold
Taking it for granted that there was
/. not much the matter, l now thankfully ac-
cepted some of the food she offered me, OF
which she had already given some to the
] ] ehild:: and taking off my wet boots and
stockings, | set them before the fire te
dry. The good woman, having first pour.
!, ed some warm water in pan, now tool
poor little Kitty, and gave her goot
J washing; then laid her in her own bed
) and at my request moved bundle of clear
II, Al Al
for me, as preferred being alone to oc
! cupying a place in the overheated kitchen
As talked to the wowan, and tried tt
; find out from her whence it was likely N,
little companion had strayed, heard /;
slight movement amongst the bedclothe
of the sick man, and, glancing that way
7 | saw a round bullet-head, with scarcel
e a sprig Of hair on it, rise up, followed b.
the upper part of body, strange to sa
r fully clothed in dry garments, but Of wha
e hue or kind I could not discover. too
: no notice, and after he had gazed at m
n long enough to satisfy him, the owner c
: the head lay down again, and all was still
: Preparatory to ensconcing myselfin N
), corner, | took off my coat, and hung
d by the fire to dry and at my hostess sug
+ gestion, after had retired, rolled my
e self in an old patchwork quilt which sh
d brought me, and gave her my trousers
vest and shirt to get dried, she prcmisin
T to brush them and bring them to me i
d the morning. took the precaution, how
! ever, of taking ont my purse, and som
: letters that were in my pockets, before
5, gave them to her, for l did not quite lik
) the mystery Of that sick man, and though
d it more discreet so to do.
i Weary as l was, could not sleep.
lay listening to the dash of mountai
) stream which ran by the hut, and consid
u ering what should do in case 1 was ur
. able 20 discover the home of the poo
1t child; for my hostess-to whom / ha
/ proposed that she should remain there I'll
J til could find out to whom she belonge,
promising to pay her for her trouble an
u expense-had declined the charge, sayin
/ that she must leave the house next da
& to go a journey; so that there would be n
: one to take care of the child. / was ais
II not quite at ease about the pretende
e sleeper and busted myself by forming plar
u for defending myself should be attacked
y How many thoughts we waste! how muc
care and anxiety we expend in formin
's plans to meet emergencies which never OF
81 cur ! So it was with me this night
: Nothing happened, and fell asleep, an
slept quietly until broad daylight awok
le me. On awaking, l saw by the height {
u the sun that it must be getting late; an
. as heard no sound in the outer apart
: ment, l thought might venture to ro
:. myself up in my quilt, and make an irrul
u tion into the room of the sleepers for IN
clothes. Gently opening the door, peel
e, ed round the corner; and saw that th
d good lady and my little charge lay fas
lie asleep so stepping lightly towards the fr'
7, place, | hastily gathered up the garment
N which hung there-.just able to discer
ID them by the glimmer of light which shor
through the shutters, and slipped back t
re my She'd intending to rub off the dirt an
Iy thus dress Imagine my wrath and di