American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-22
Original 5torp.
I- For the american Us,on.
MlEaMlH GAA@RMD9M, |,
OR THE
FOUNDING OF ROSE COTTAGE.
For the american Us.on.
Isl, BY MEND FOSTER.
CHAPTER I.

,... CHAPTER I.
It was night at Rose Cottage; dark
ness had fallen Ger the, earth, wrap
ping Hill and vale in inky blackness;
low muttering thunder was heard in the
distance; the air was almost suifocating,
so close and heavy was it that not for
est leaf stirred. All was dark and
still; not a sound was to be heard save
fow and then the scream of a wild bird
hprrying home to its brood. For an
hour the inmates Of Rose Cottage hal
been watching a fierce. looking cloud,
blood red in spots, that seen through
the darkness looked like some demon
Of despair, ready to crush all it came
in contact with.
y "It $ coming !" said old father Bell,
as he tarned from the window with q
shudder--"God grant that no poor
traveller may be out in such night. /
have not seen such a storm for twenty
years.: ID r
aaAndicoming twas; nearer came the
thunder, fercera grew the clouds, now
flashes of vivid lightning illuminated
The whole heavens. A low, moaning
sound was now heard, plaintiye at first
then growing iiercer and louder; on it
came through the forest, gathering
strengthat every blast. Infitful gusts
came the wind, now loud and shrill,
then sinking to low sullen sound like
the growl of tiger at bay--louder and
flouder it came; tall trees were hurled
to- the ground; flash after fash of
binding lightning, followed by such
terrific peals of thunder that it seemed
to shake the very earth to its centre
fercer at each blast grew the wind,
howling and shrieking then dying away
in the distance .ts. a-
aa" Hark, wife, did you hear that
surely it was the cry of some ono in
distress" said Mr.. Bell, going to the
door. Family amid the howl of the
storm could be heard the cry for help.
Quickly procuring alight, and calling
the old black man to accompany him,
Mr.. Bell was soon out in the midst Of
the storm. Once more that wild, fear
tut cry for help rang out above the
storm. As they neared the forest, the
cry Of child was distinctly heard,
begging of some one to take it home.
Guided Jy the sound, they soon reach
cd the spot; and there, lying on the
ground with a child by her side, was a
woman apparently in great agony -
10th were drenched with rain; the
child, a little girl about four years old,
crying piteously. Lifting the woman
carefully up the two men bore her to
the cottage,the child following closely,
crying to be taken to her "dear Nam
ma" Procuring dry clothing, Mrs.
Bell soon had her in comfortable bed.
1t was soon evident that the poor wo-
nan had not long to live, and Peter
was despatched with all haste for old
Father Norton, the village pastor, that
be might pray and converse with the
dying woman, Wild incoherent words
were all she spoke; nothing definite
could be gained as to the child found
With her, for it was evident that tho
child was not her own. She tried to
tell them her name, and where to send
her, but it is too late---the power of
speech is denied her. About midnight
She fell into deep stupor from which
she never reused Aboutthree o clock
next morning she died; with all her
sins unpardoncd she was called to meet
her God. She was buried in the village
churcbyord, and the child was left a.
mong strangers with no knowledge Of
her parents or friends, only that her
mamma lived great way off and that
her nurse, the woman found with her,
had taken her out to walk, and never
would take her back---that her name
was Minnie Clarendon, at least that
was what nurse said was her name, but
che did not think it was exactly that.
"Well, wife, what shall we do with
this child" said Mrs. Bell as they sat
at the cottage door that evening, little
Minnie playing on the lawn before
them, !" shall we try to find her pa
rentsp"