Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-03-04
MI 5 { L. l. l. A N Y. /.
From Cooley. I.ady's Book, 5r February.
WINTER:
on, JrssIE run LAaE GIRL.


the only daughter Of poor, barl-worklns
widow. who had 'os, her husband and re-
ceiycd a SON on the same night. George
llnrri. h Il been quarryman In the large
stonc.works that were few PAGES from hIs
hou.e, and had bccn killed by fall down
a deep shaft. Ills widow heard the news
while she was anxiously waiting his return
TO bless his new.b,rn son their only boy.
Little Jessie. then about three years old.
and George. the infant son, were thus lel,
h,hcrles'. Mach sympathy wa. shown in
Snowdon,ille for the widow and the veal.
thy ladies, Mrs. Ral.ton. Mr.. llowri,t, and
some Others sen, her plain sewing 10 do.
paving her a ialr price and thus enabling
her to support herself and children com
forhby At tie time my story opens, Jes.
80 wa. abou, eleven years old, and GcorsC
cish,. Jessie wa, tho beauty and pet oi
the village school. With dark saying hair,
soi, hazel eyes, and a rich, healthy com.
plcsion, she had a right to claim the frs,
and her talent and industry won her the
last. "A- pretty aud 'mar, as Je..ic lIir'
r,s, D" was quite a saying in the village.
Ny story opens on dark, clustering
winter evening. when the snow fll thick
and fs;, and the high wind threatenci.tu
shake In tho windows Of the little cnitag.
vlcre my heroine lived. Widow Harris
wa. seated near the rrc, sewing. and Je,.
sir's niml,, fingers kep, tine with hers a.
,hc pot patch on Georges school coat.
George as u special ryilegc, lag on the
.c,tec, rcajy to 81 u bed, but permitted to
stay with hi. mother, hecau'c IL, wind
made him alnil 10 <, Up stairs alone.
Mother, said Jessie, Ms. Miles sail
something very nice {, me 10 day"
What wa, ~" inquired h,r mother.
"S,c ,ald that, II study very hard and
improved rs much q. | have done, Will be-
able 10 take the school, when | am old
enough. She want, 10 give up, hut she
d, 80 attached to Ihc grI. that .hc will no.
d, 80 un'd s1mo ooc can tko her place ilht
she cln lscl confidence IN. Mother! moth.
cr what was that
They were all on their feet with whi''
face, and trembling figures. \ fearful
crash, followed hy shrek Of agony. had
caused Jcs,ics exclamation. With trcmh.
ling fingers. Mr. ll,rri. unla'chcl the door.
rh, wind blew d, open, and drirtci tho al.
ling snow into the ROOM. Nothing was
heard ior an instant hut the bowling Of the
wind then came q low moan ani voice
cried, e" Help"
"Moti,r, some one has fallen into th'
quarry" AnI Jc..ir srun: out. ~
know every step n the way 10 not fear f,r
me-" Then raising hcr voice she cried ;
q" Courage am coming ''
Her mother followed AMI needless Of
the risin: storm, Jessie wen, forward to
find tac sufferer.
" call again where are you ?"
There was no answer.
Mother" she said. turning round,
'' run to the village Gr helP. | am small
and light; | will - down into the quar-
ry."
-" God keep and preserve you :" said her
mother; &" ror You g on hi' errant" and
with this blessing, she LEI, the brave child
alone IN the storm.
Gn,lcrin. her skirts mp around her J's-
.ie begin 70 descend into the quarry. Tho
hugo masses Of stone, though covered with
snow. vcrc uneven enough u aG,rl her a
ioothold, and at ast .he reached the bot
tom. IL VASE large hollow aud FOR an in
slant her couras' failed her as she thought
ll III, dis'ourasins task shc lad underiak.
I'm then with a icryent inward prayer, she
b gan 10 feel for the person whom she had
come % seek. The darkness bcwilierci
her: her own voice was lost in the noise Of
the storm. and her heart was sinking with
despair. when voices ayo,c reached her ear.
Just then, her foot struck against some.
thing she stopped, and feeling. pushed
aside the snow to lay her trembling hand
rpon cold human face. q" Here! here :"
he cried, he is here "
Tic lanterns CLEANED brightly above her
" the moulh Of the quarry; but no one
tcrpe,, forward to answer Jesslo's call.
rhe descent which her light ieet aud small
isure had accomplished was dangerous for
arec heavy men, and they were delibera.
in, what 10 DO. \ flask Of brandy and
autern were lowered by ropes and Jessie
was directed to raise the mans head and
pour some Of the brandy into hi' mouth.
She dad 50 aud, with great struggle, con
.ciousness returned to the sufferer.
Mother" cried Jessie, il is young
Mr.. Rnlston2"
Z" Ask him IL we lower chair, II ho can
III 10 it until We can haul him out"
"Yes, ye.!" said the young man hastily
= I was coming across, and the piece Of
tone stepped upon loo'cncd and rolled
lown here. | lost my balance aud came ai'
er IT,"
Thu. was said in a low. weak voice to
Leslie who called aloud 4" Lower the
hair :"
Slowly along the snowy sides chair. fas
ened by many ropes. was lowered. Ii was
,me time before the still wounded man
,ould get into i, bat at last 1t was effected.
= How will yon get up9" he said, turning
o his brave deliyerer.
81 Al.