The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-12-04

= Yes, cog, you have been good almost
all the time, and
While she was thus speaking, the
whole group were startled by low, dis
tnct rapping on the window pane, and
there with its white breast pressed close
against the glass, was trembling dove
pccking the frost covered window, as if
he plead for shelter from the driving
storm. All the children ran eagerly to
the door, and Richard laid the dove
gently and carefully in Marion's hand.
The Pickering light OF the candle shone
iar out into the lonely road, dimly show
ing two figures all wrcathed with falling
snow. 1t was unusual in that lonely
place to see strangers passing at night,
and the evcr-rcstess Richard exclaimed:
&C You carry in the dove and warm it,
and | mean to run out and see who they
are"
Beautiful looked that half frozen dove
to the kind one who had rescued it. As
it nestled close in Marion's bosom there
was u CLEAN in its opening eye that
seemed almost like human-an earnest
look that told Of quiet gratitude and
content. They smoothcd the RULED
white plumes, carelcssly talking all the
time to " Dovic," as if it knew their
meaning. They had scarcely needed
the entrance OF Richard till he said
Those folks are bcggars, and wanted
we should keep them over night. but |
told them, as father always does, that
every town took care of its own poor,
and it they had staid at home they need
not suffer.
Who were they? how did they look!
where did they come from = inquired
all ut once.
/" Oh, they looked bad enough There
was an old nan and girl, not 50 bic as
Marion, and they came from some place
down below that / never hoard of before.
The old cod ger said he was going to see
his brother up North but L guess he
made mp that story"
Why, Dick, didn't think you'd
turn off an old man and poor shivcrng
girl in such Il night as this and as
Joseph spoke be went to the window,
adding, " | don't thiuk father and mother
will come home, it storms so: if they
are on the way they will put up some
where"
The old mans breath Smclt Of rum,"
answered Richard, "and if he can buy
that he can buy Il lodging. ! did pity
that girl, to be sure, for when told hini
that the tavern was two miles off, she
said, Oh, dear, that seems Il great way
buf then father says 1t is just encour-
aging i"iNS to drink If you do anything
tor iie" when they wander about so.
A'chard did, indeed, repeat an oft
hehTo sentiment OF his fathers when he
>al0 tliT, Ior though worthy man IN
many respects Mr.. Graham was one OF
lho+e wiz" r"!nnMbefrd the poor only as
tar as the sufferers are good and v'ltuoua
ana struggling hard to support thcnl-
selves.
but the hoIler teachings OF his wife
had given to Tie children other and bet
ter feelings, and Richard ; conscience
sn'ote hNn when Annie quietly said,
l." moiher would not have sent. him away
ii the man dld drink RUM
u promised us u story, cousin
Marion sad richard, glad to turn from
painful subject, " tell us one OF old
times, Ike those best " ! ell about
war, Sald 'hmes. " About indians,
SAID req. about wien you was lit
tie gLll Ike NE, SAID Annie. "leil us
about something you never told us be-
'''p, '"'' " 4'.e' o'J III INC cor''or'
II the gifted Marion had one power III
pcriecIioh, 1t was the highly valued, but
rare gilt ct telling stories. There was
low scat III the kitchen, which they
called g settce = it answered the place
OF wood-boX and sofa in the winter even
ings, and beng painted bright red and
vanished, 1t looked like good natared:
laughing face IN front Of the fire. On
this the children used to SIT for hours
and listen to cousin Manon's enchanting
stories, which We're usually thrilling
realities dressed IN her own glowing
thoughts. Sometimes she ,ecied an ole
fairy tale, or some wild legend of early
times but tonight the white pinme'
dove lay lovingly on her breast as i
uttered those moaning sounds, whicl
| nothing on earth equals III plaintlye sad
ness. Maricn's heart beat time to tho
mournful notes, for there were nobl,
| fo,li,rs ~ ,,.,,,,,,,