The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-02-10
The Longest Night In a Life.
By CHARLES DICKENS.

snoW lay on the ground tor weeks, "hen
railways were unknown, and the electric
telegraph had not been dreamed Of save by
the speculative Countess OF London. The
mails had been irregular for a month, and
the letter bags which did not reach the
post Office had been brought thi.her with
difficulty. The newspapers were dey lid Of
all foreign intelligence, the Inctropous
knew nothing Of the doings of the pro
vlnces, and the provinces knew little more
OF the affairs Of the metropolis. But the
columns OF both were crowded with acci-
dents from the inclemency of the weather,
with heart rending accounts Of starvation
ana destltutlon, with wonderful escapes of
adventurous travellers, and still more adYen-
turous mail coachmen and guards. Bust
ness was almost at a standstlll, or was only
carried on BY fits and starts families were
made uneasy by the frequent long silence
Of their absent members, and the poor were
suffering great misery from cold and fam
inc.
The South road had been blocked up for
nearly month, when partial thaw al
most caused public rejoicing; coaches
began to run, letters TO be dispatched and
delivered, and weather bound travellers to
have some hope Of reaching their destina-
ton.
Among tie first ladies' who undertook
the journey from the West Of Scotland to
London at this time, was certain Miss
Stirring, who had, for weeks past, desired
TO reach the metropolis. Her friends as
sured her that It was a foolhardy attempt
and told her of travellers who had been
twice, nay, three times showed in upon
their way TO town; but their advice and
warning were Of no avail Mss Strings
business was urgent, it concerned others
more than herself, and she was not one to
be deferred by personal discomfort or by
phys.ca! difficulties from doing what she
thought was right
20, she kept 70 her promise, and early
in February took her seat in the mail coach,
for London, being the only passenger book
ed for The whole journey.
The tLaw had continued for some days;
the roads, though heavy, were open and
with the ii! Il extra horses here and there
the fire, half Of the journey was performed
rre.y easily dough ted'ously.
Ihe second WAS more trying than the
fr~,; the yial p,ew keenIy aud penetra-
tel every cresics Of the coach the partial
tAaw had but slightly effected the wild
moorani they hal o 20 cross; thick heavy
clouds were gathering round the red ray
less sun and when on reaching the little
roadside uu ,le snow began to fl'l f.,t
ha.4 lie gg4.d auI onacaaaa urged their
,6Se,lrr Pt~~en-er 10 remain there for the
NJ rmr fr-tt..,I .. tt-..i fIa I;srr,,-. rs
ami 1araams taa gel> 81 ne night stare
Mics >r''Aag te,.tatel for moment, but
taa r ua ."-.e.. 'y no means 4 pleas
ant .t"a to ba -no"et up in. 50 she reSiS-
tell their eltr. 7'a' aHd, gathering her tars
more closely around hcr, she nest.et her
r. .ala corner ot the coaah. Ihns for
irme she lost al c1nsc'oasness Of out
"aId tnn-' !" s.eeP.
= su' n" 4a'e'' A"""e Hef, ana she soon
learned t"ey ha sues last IN snow DRIFT,
anu that no eiloTt OF the tire horses could
eXtileale tae coach from rs unpleasant pre-.
d!e"lh. ~ IN" Goafd' mounting one OF
the hoFse'' SET out IN seaLeh oi assistance
Whi'e tAe roa'hlHah csm'or'ed Miss Sur
mug by teI.i's her ihat, as nearly as he
couiI ca.cutte, theF were on.y a mile or
Two rom ne s4Hlfe' and that Il the
guard could IND bls way to the squire's
the squire was sure 10 como to the rescue
with ms s!edge i vas not the first time
that the squire had got the mail bags out
of a snow wreath by that means.
The coachman's expectations we're full
fiIea. WITHIN an hour the distant tlnk-
Ing OF the s!edse bells was heard and
lights were seen cleaning afar; they rap
idly advanced nearer and nearer: and soon
hearty voice was heard baiIing them. A
party Of men, with lanters and shoyels,
come to their assistance. \ strong arm
lifted Mss sterling from the coach and sup
ported her trembling steps to sledge
close at hand ant almost before she knew
where she was, she found herself IN large
hail, 0TlItiantiy ighted by blazing wood
ilre. Numbers OF rosy, glowing childish
races were gatheFed round her, kindly
hanas were on'!ed IN removing her wraps,
and pleasant voices welcomed her and con
graduated her on her escape.
Az, ay, Mary, SAID her host, address
mo lt9 wife > told Won the : lajpa WOulI