The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-03

they were 30 wedged i'm bctwoesr tue stohes'
, that it was impossible to do 90, without saw
ing of the limb that confined them. They
did this carefully as possible; but before 1t
} was clear, David tainted. They spread their
thick home-spun coats on the snow, laid his
senseless form upon them, md left him to
unload their sled and prepare itin some way
to take him home, or ut least 70 the nearest
house, which was ut the dhinncc of more
than o mile. In few moments the wvod
was flung of, dozen or more light elastic
poles laid across the sled and covered with
the thick spreading branches Of Tho juniper
and hemlock. These preparations made,
they returned, and laying their charge upon
this rude litter, took their way toward
home. =
David soon returned to consciousness, but
notwithstanding the jerking motion of the
sled over the rough, ill-beaten path was 30
very painful, he could not bear the idea Of
being removed to sleigh when he reached
the nearest house, but begged them TO take
him home us he was, and let him die in
peace.
Barker ut last persuaded him to allow
them to place bed beneath him aud almost
buried in the blankets that the good woman
Of the house wrapt around him, they again
started off, II was not till they came with
in inile of his own house, that Barker be-
gan to think of his peculiar position.
How should he break this unhappy news
to his enemy-to man with whom he had
not spoken for more than year? 'What
need is there for you to speak to him now3
whispered pride. you have done your duty,
and more, perhaps, than others would have
done in your place. Send Ned home with
his child; you have saved his life, and that
was enough But the faint, low moans
that came from beneath those blankets had
more power over Barker in his present mood
than those whispcrings Of false pride. llc
suddenly gave the whip to Ned, and hastcned
with rapid strides towards home.
Il viii send Hctty over to break tho news
to Annie Benton, he said, rs he reached his
own gatc,-'wOmen manage such things
better than mon, besides, must 60 after the
DOCTOR
His wife and daughter caught glimTse OF
him Us he passed the window, and needed
but one glance to assure them of some mis-
fortune They both met him ut the door,
the mother exclaimcd,-
For mercys sake, father, what is the
NATTER Is Ned killed?' 3.
NO, no, David Benton, poor fellow, has
felled tree Oh himself, and is crushed nl-
most to death. You must 20 and tell his
mother, IIetty. Ills father he says, has
gonc to the saw mill. Send the boy after
him ut once. am going after the doctor.
He spoke rapidly and his hand was already
on the latch, when Hannah caught his arm
and asked
Where is no? Where have you left him?
Ned is bringing him home. left them
at Muddy Creek, and they must be in the
Hollow by this time but, Lord bless me,
child, how white you are Are you sick y
Hannah did not stay to reply. but caught
down her hood and sped out Of the door and
up the street like tho wind. Barker made a
movement rs II to call her back, but some
thought seemed u retain him. They stOod
gazing alter her for momont, and when
their eyes again met, all tho human was
visible in the old mans face.
'She has gone to meet them, ho murmured.
Well, let her go-let her go. All will soon
bcover with the poor boy.
Gently did kind IIetty Barker perform her
painful task, and, with thoughtful caro- rc-
lieved tho mother OF all the arrangements for
her sons reception. for, she, poor woman,
could only stand at the window and watch
with her dim fearful eyes, for tho appearance
of the sled. When they came in sight. they
saw Hannah seated upon it, supporting the
head of David in her lap. AZ they drew up
at the door, tho father arrived, accompanied
by two or thrcc of the moro distant neigh
bors, and with their assistance the poor
young nan WAS carried in and laid upon thu
bed.
Barker soon returned with the surgeon
Hcdid not stop ut his neighbor's but rode
directly on to bis own house. After caring
tor his reeking horse, he walked slowly back
to the gate, and stood for some time, with
his hand ON the latch, as if irreSolutc, while
the lately reused spirit ofhumanity struggled
iearfully with the long-cherished inmates Of
the heart pride and self will. Tor the mastery.
The past came up before him with its mighty
influences. lie had thought Of tho time
when he and Benton had played toghether
as children, of their youth and manhood,
of their marriages and the years Of
pleasant intercourse that succeeded, before
the pride of wealth bad taken possession OF
his soul, us misfortune and envy had en-.
bi,tcred his neighbor's !; and as he stood
beside this image of his earlier days and con.
trasted II with the fairvst that seli-lovc could
draw of the present, bis heart grew sick,
humanity triumphcd. Ileedlcss of his rash
vow never darkcn his neighbor's door again,
he PAUSED not until he had returned the
silent pressure of Annie Benton's hand-met
the pleased glance of his wife and daughter,
and followed the former to the room OF her
son.
No one manifested surprise Mt his entrance
gave the sufferer himself Something like u
rlcam of p;cssurc passed over his face. rs ut
y sign from tho surgeon, the old man ap-
proached and took station by his bed,
where he could render some light assistance
in the examination that was about to be
made.
The surgeon understood his business and in
less than an hour tho broken limbs were r,t,
and everything done for the young mans
comfort that his skill and experience could
suggest. Then, when the neighbors, with
friendly offers of service, departed, and the
woman again came in with stealthy foot.
stc,s, Barker began to feel awkward and
uneasy. His frt impulse was to Withdraw
n, once, but an earnest pleading glance from
David, decided him TO remain.
Hastily passing round The bed to whcrc tho
father eat with his iacc buried in his hands,
seemingly stunned and heart broken by this
sudden ailiiction. he said,-
Cousin Sire, let by-gones be by.goncs. l
have been hasty, stubborn and wiliul, Ny
temper has led mo on to say and do n thou
sand things that were wrong. l have felt