Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-28

Formerly, when the children were too Young
to be amused in this manner, the mountebank
in providing for a business excursion, would
purchase some comfts or peppermint IozengerS
and, after walking SO long, that symptoms of
WEAKNESS began to exhibit themselves in the
slackened pace of the little pedestrians, he
would scatter SweetmeatS here and there on the
| road at short intervals, and the children, for
getting their fatigue, would follow quickly to
secure the tempting prize and when the stock
of confectionery was exhausted they would
race with as much eagernesS after ball thrown
by father in their onward path, as ever was
manifested by jockey when competing for the
Derby. Lattery, tales and songs had taken
the place of the com6ts and the ball
The sixth milestone was greeted by the
Youngsters as a friend, for it told them that
| hall their journey was accomplished but fa-
ther appeared uneasy he looked with diSmav
at the heavy black clouds overhead and at the
thickenlng snow; it had fallen gently all the
afternoon but now it began to assume
! threatening aspect. He stopped suddenly in
the most interesting portion of The IArt0ing
Heir, which he was relating, and felt irresolute
whether to return even then, or to 90 forward
After brief pause, he chose the latter alter
native, for as he argued mentally, to return
without having any part of the rent to proffer
to Mrs. Niggs, would only provoke her to carry
into immediate execution her threat of turning
all the family into the streets whereas, if he
went on to the fair his wife and the Younger
children would at least be certain of a roof 10
shelter them-and that was something in such
incement weather. Setting this out of queS-
ton, his little party was half way TO its place
of destination. To be sure, the remaining half
lay across a barren moor, where there were no
hedgerowS or walls to screen the travellers
from the weather What of that? He'd
carry MidgkinS ; and then he and Ally could
walk faster than they had done previously. and
wouldn't teel the cold Pursuant to the reso-
luton, he took the tired little one, nothing
loath, in his arms, although encountered as he
was by the very large drum, it was a trouble
some matter to manage this additional weight.
Still he toled on, support Ing MidgdinS on one
arm, and leading Alfy as quickly onward as he
could, while thicker and faster fell the snow
flakes and gradually and more feeble became
the boys steps and Midgkins nestled in his
fathers bosom, overpowered with the extreme
cold, fell fast asleep.
Come. my boy, step out and let MS get under
cover its going to be fearful night. Lucki.
y the first house we come to in Eglinthorpe.
is the Travellers Rest: and kindhearted body
is Mrs. Dawson, that keeps it : she'll not re-
fuse to let you and MidgkinS sit bv the Kitchen
fire, while | look for Tom WhtIock. and settle
matters with him. Walk as fast as you can
there's good boy y
This the mountebank said in an anxious
husky tone of voice, for the binding snow pre-
vented his discerning anything likely 10 prove
guide ; thick darkness was spreading all
round, and the unhappy man felt dire fore
boding of evil
Indeed, father feebly replied the child,
do walk as fast as ever can bnt I've lost
my shoes in the snow, and am so firci, and
so cold, and 50 rery drowsy l wish | might
lie down aud take a sleep
Tne mountebank made no reply to this
but he eiasped the boy hand convusiyeIy. and
still endeavored to urge him forward. In what
direction they were going he knew not yet
hoped for the best At length, after wander
ng about on the deSolate, snow-clad waste for
nearly two hours, without meeting a living
creature-the fury of he storm increasing and
the cold, as the day wore on. becoming vet
mere intense. he yielded to the faiui eutreateS
of poor Ally, to sit down and rest just lit
tie while He sat down with both the chill
dren on his knees, Midgkins still >umbering
but not peacefully, as happy childhood sleeps:
his teeth chattereG. he moaned inceSSantly and
trembled from head to foot Atty was pale.
foot sore, exhausted. In this terrible strait.
what was the bewIdered father TO do Shjv-
ering as he was with cold, the agony of his
mind caused streams of per>piration to roll
down his carewOrn conntenance Short time
sufiiced for deliberation be rose, took off his
coat, wrapped it around his boys, and placed
them in sitting posture, sitting against the
drum.
Now, Alfy,' said he, making a painful ef-
fort to speak cheerfnlly, | must leave you for
while Yon know can walk very fast
and Ill try 10 fad my way tn the village. and
get some one to come and help me to carry
YOU and MidgkiuS to the Travellers R,St'
But, father. YOU muSn't 20 without your
coat see what large flakes of snow are com
ing down
Don't heed no, love replied the father
but try to stay awake, aud keep close to your
little brother
Yes. father. and I'll say my prayers. No
ther always told me to pray to God to take
care OF Us If se shOHd be in trouble
The idea OF mother at that moment almost
Overcame the mOuntehank but he struggled
manfulIy with his feelings he embraced low
ingly, again and again, Alfy and the uncon-
sciOuS MidgkiRs He conld hardly persuade
himself TO 90 ; yet to stay, was TO bring Ger
tain destruction on them, for the SBow still
fell, ahd the darkness still increased Alone
and encountered, he might reach E-Enthorpc
very soou-Day perhaps, at that moment he
might be close upon the village. although the
darkness obScRred it from his view These
cheering hopes he tried to encourage, as IL 10
brace his nerves for the approaching trial
A trial il was, and a heavy one, 10 leave his
Young OHeS in utter darkness on that dreaTy
moor but il agud be- The father welded to