Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-02-19
From Godey's Lady Book for Feb. far.
.l r. Jessie, the Lame Girl.

~ progresses. -' - =
From Godey's Lady Book for Feb. .i,r-. .... -
Jessie, the Lame Girl. .. ,g
In all the pretty little village of Snowdon
vile, there was not prettier or happier lit
tie maiden than Jessie Harris She was tn,
only daughter of poor, hard-working widow
who had lost her husband and received a. sof
on the same night George Harris had beer
a quarryman in the large stone works tha
We're few PAGES from, his little house, ano
had been killed by fall down deep shaft
His widow heard the news while she was anx
iously waiting his return to bless the new
born son, their only boy. Little Jessie, ther
about three years old, and George, the infan,
son, were thus left ,fatheriess. Much sympa
thy was shown in Snowdonville for the wild
ow and the wealthy ladies, Mrs Ralston
| Mrs. Hewitt; and some others, sent her plain
sewing to do, paying her a fair price, and thus
| enableing her to support herself and children
comfortably. At the time my story opens
Jessie was about eleven years old, and George
| eight. Jessie was the beauty and the pet o1
the village school, With Diary, waving hair,
| soft, ,hazzle eyes, and rich, healthy complex.
| ion, she had a right. to claim the first and
| her talent and industry won the last. Gas
pretty and smart as Jessie Harris" was
quite saying in the village. ss@oTagn. ":iJ a..
T. My story opens on q dark, clustering win
ter evening, when the snow fell thick and
fast, and the high wind threatened to shake the
| windows of the little cottage where my hero
inc lived. Widow Harris was seated near the
fire sewing and Jessie's nilnbie fingers kept
time with hers as she put a patch on Georges
old school coat. George, during the time, as
special privilege, lay on the settee, ready to
60 to bed, but permitted to stay with his
mother, because the wind made him afraid to
8. Mother" said Jessie, "Miss Miles said
something very nice to Inc to-day"
"What is it ?" inquired her mother.
"She said that, if l study very hard and
improve as much as l have done, will be
able to take the school when am old enough.
She wants to give it up; but she is so attach
ed to the girls that she will not do SO until
some one can take her place that she can feel
confidence in. Mother mother what was
that % .,. .-'-
They were all on their feet with,white faces
and trembling figures. A fearful crash, follow
ed by shrek of agony, had caused .Jessie's
exclamation. With trembling fingers, Mrs.
Harris unlatched the door. The wind blew
topen, and drifted the falling snow into their
room. Nothing was heard for an instant but
the bowling of the wind then came a low
moan, and voice cried "Helpr'
/ Mother, some one has fallen into the quar-
ry." 1913 -.a " a:.'"'' ..--s
Jessie sprang out. 81 know every step of
the way do not fear me.n Then raising
her voice, she cried " Courage am COM
ing"
Her mother followed; and, needless of
the raging storm, Jessie went forward to find
the sufferer. .....,. ..LH .~ncuuo. MI.
" Call again. Where are you p .......
There was no answer.
Mother" she said, turning round, "run
to the village for help. / am small light; and l
will 60 down into the quarry" a..4 u
/" God keep and preserve you y said her
mother "you 60 on this errand." And, with
this blessing, she left the brave child alone in
the storm. i- 81 ''' T F-N I'D
Gathering her skirts around her, Jessie be-
gan to descend into the quarry. The huge
masses of stone, though covered with snow,
were uneven enough to afford her foothold,
and at last she reached the bottom 1t was
large hollow; and for an instant her courage
failed her, as she thought of the discouraging
task she had undertaken; then with fervent,
inward prayer, she began to feel the person
whom she had come to seek. The darkness
bewildered her; her own voice was lost III
the noise of the storm, and her heart was
sinking with despair, when voices above reach
ed her ear. She stopped, and feeling, push
ed aside the snow to lay her trembling hand
upon cold human face "Here here p
she cried she's here."e9ar'N J., ...-..s,. -..-
The lanterns cleaned brightly above her at
the mouth of the quarry, but no one stepped
forward to answer Jessie's call The descent
which her light feet and small figure had ac-
compiished was dangerous for large heavy
men and they were deliberating what to do.
A flask of brandy and lantern was lowered
by ropes; and Jessie was directed to raise the
mans head and pour some of the spirit into
his mouth. She did SO and, with great
struggle, consciousness returned to the suffer
er. ,u,.- ..-. .-
Mother,'' cried Jessie, " it is young Mr..
Ralston u .f.T9a-t.t
a" Ask him if we shall lower him chair,
and if he can sit in it until we haul him
out"
Yes, yes ~ said the young man hastily.
was coming across, and the piece of stone
l stepped upon loosened and rolled down
here. | lost my balance and came tumbling
after it, ..,..
This was said in low, weak voice to Jes-
sic, who called aloud :" Lower the chair ~ -
Slowly along the snowy sides chair, fas-
tened by many ropes, was lowered 1t was
some time before the stiff wounded man could
get into it but at last it was effected. ''How
will you get up?" he said to his brave deliver
er. -...-' r-.-.. . ..- -.s-.' -w.
".rll come after you," was the reply" in a
cheerful, hearty voice. .r.. ..f -: ..''.',, -.,
Seeing the chair safely on the way up, she
began to climb the stones to 60 up as she had
come down. She was nearly at the top, and
those above were watching her with breath
less interest, when another stone gave way,
and she fell back. A cry of horror rose on
the air. '.' '' .'
&C am am alive Z" she cried ssdon't fear.
mother it has only fallen on my legs; lower
the ropes {; l can hold on by my hands," .r
With frantic eagerness she tried to rise -
but the heavy stones across her limbs held
her pinned fast. Awful visions of diving there
floated with fearful distinctness through her
brain, and, with wild cry she tainted. -..
Struck with admiration at her heroic con-
duct, and horror at her accident, one of the
men placed himself in the chair, and was
lowered to rescue her. When be again came
up with the small, insensible figure lying so
still and pale in his arms, there was an unani-
nous murmer Of sympathy through the now
large crowd. The Squire's son, young Raj
ston had tainted again on reaching the mouth
Of the quarry, and been carried home and
all the rough men an sympathizing women
who had braved the storm to aid the man
lost in the quarry, gathered about the little
figure Gentle hands lifted her from the arms
of her deliverer and she was carried to the
little cottage. He mother, chilled and despair
ing, laid upon the little bed !; while Georgey
crept from his stool by the fire to gaze at his
sister, whom he had seen so full of life and
energy, and who now lay so still and white
The room was cleared Of all but few SYM
pathyzing neighbors and the doctor bent