Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-03-11

pastor was venerable old man, dressed
in the black canonicals of the Lutheran
clergy. A thick white ruff was round
his neck, his long white hair foated ovel
his shoulders, while, on account of the
cold, he wore black velvet skull cap on
his head Prayers and singing over, he
commenced his discourse, without notes
of any kind, and in strain of simple,
fervid eloquence, which rivited the atten.
ton of his auditors, he expounded the
sublime precept which Christianity first
inculcated, of doing to others what we
would that they should do to us. The
sermon over, some christenings followed,
and then the communion. The service,
which had lasted more than three hours,
at length terminated, and they emerged
from the church Many were the greet
ingsto be exchanged between friends and
neighbors unseen for long, and it was
some time ere the Jansens reached the
relations house, where they were to par
take of the midday meal. This over,
they did not linger long, for Andreas had
promised Hugo they would returnas soon
as possible. AS they were leaving the
town, they were stopped near the parson-
age by the pastor, who pressed them to
come in and see the Frau Pastorin. An.
dreas explained the reasons which made
them anxious to be off, and the good old
man, shaking him heartily by the hand,
said
so some of you have been acting
what l have been preaching, playing the
good Samaritan. Well, well, it shall moi
lack its reward. God bless you, friend
Andreas y
The short-lived northern day had long
waned, when, leaving the clustered wood.
en- dwellings surrounding the church be-
hind them, the Janscns started on theil
homeward route to Ravensdal. But lit.
tie was the daylight missed, for the glo.
rious northern lights were up, streaming
Pickering like fiery banners across the
sky, brighter far than the pale Arctic
winter sun, diffusing around mild, beau
tilul radiance, neither sunshine nor moon
shine, but light more poetic, more ro
mantle, than that of common day o,
night. Little Raoul clapped his hand:
with delight, as from the luminous cloud
on the northern horizon streamers o.
green, purple, red, and golden light sho
up. Andreas said it was years and years
since an Aurora SO splendid had been
seen.
A lonely road was their way home
no habitations, except few farm house.
near the town, and, when these were
passed, long stretch of desolate coun
try-wild rocky valleys, all clad in thei
snowy garments, with the deserted sum
mer chalets scattered over them, mock
ing the traveller with an idea of human
life ; beneath, frowning precipices O
black rock, where the snow could find II,
resting place through pine woods
whose venerable denizens had survive,
many generations of mort;ils.
"Moored to the rifted rock,
Proof to the tempest shock"
The children were asleep, Raoul il
his mother arms, who half unconscious
ly was humming to herself hymn o
praise IS she wrapped the little nesting
warm in her furs. Olaf, after repeated
declarations that he was not in the leas
sleepy, had been glad to lean his tea'
against his sisters shoulder; his eye
soon closed, as he was as sound asleep a
his little brother. Ella gave herself u
to dreamy reyerie, as she thought owe
the solemn communion service, the ser
mon, and then the bright future betor
her. Pleasant thoughts they were i
her life's horizon it was all blue SIX,
behind her, and she saw still more befor
her. And soon these thoughts were woy
en- together, and bright castles in the al
arose, which made her smile to herse
as she pictured them before her mind
eye; what Hugo and she would do whe
they had home of their own-how the
would welcome the wayfarer, nurse th
sick, and succor the distressed.
Lost in her own thoughts, Ella had lii
tie needed noise which was heard from
time to time, and which she fancied til
fall of ayalanches from crag to crag i
: the mountains. But now all on a sudde
she remarked lhat her father had sewers
times turned his head to look back, an
, that his face wore troubled expression
"What is it, father" she asked -"
there anything the matter %
Nothing, nothing" he answered, j
a short, stern manner, not at all usual I
: him" hope nothing !" and then mul
, INJURED to himself, in lower tone" Gro
grant it may be nothing"
+ Her uneasiness by no means lessened
but, understanding he did not wish to b
questioned, she remained silent, but W it
, her attention on the alert to discover tl
+, cause for anxiety. The dull noise in tf
J rear certainly increased, and was hear
| at titful intervals, now almost swcllin
j. into a note, then dying away, and wa
{ decidedly nearer than when she first +,
l marked it. The horses, too, seemed
. some wonderful instinct, to partake ht
0 fathers uneasiness. Just then, the nois
began afresh, and now an unmistakeab
: howl sent a flash of certainty to ht
r mind. Unable longer to bear the su
pense, she half rose, and gasped out
~ Oh father - It's IL tba vvolvac 9,s