Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-09-20
NUMBER 38.
A True Story.

prafses, aud close upon noble belt of woods
yonng family from one of the middle States
hal nnloatled the old white covered wagon
ard built their cabin. The spot which they
had chosen as tler rcsting-place was one Of
uncommon beauty and fertility. The noble
forest, which commanded a slight eminencs
on the right, shut off the fierce winds which
swept in devastating tornadoes over the
State, and wacred as it was by one of the
many streams which fud their way from
the mountains to the broad gulf, which wash
| es the southern shore, it seemed indeed worth
all the toll and privatiuE which they had en-
durcd to reach it.
1t would be long before they would be a.
BILE to make for themselves such home as
they had left behind them; but thcy had
brought some of its comforts with them and
they were full of life, and health, and they
were all together, and they looked forward to
many years of happiness in their Texan
home Two children had they borne with
, them across the plains a little girl, and little
boy some two years her senior.
Every hand in that littls household was
ready to help no ono was idle, not even the
children. They foun much to do in helping
mother weed the garden, in bringing water
from the springs, or clping father feed the
cattle. The last duty of the day, which was
the bringing home of l3riEdle. fell to the lit
tic boy, and it was task which he rather en-
Ioyed. his sister not unfrequcntly accompani-
ed him.
The spring and summer had passed away.
and the first little crop had been gathered in,
and autumn had come with her short tw-
light and her "wailing winds" 1t was one
OF those autumn evenings when tho early sup
per was over, that little James had taken Lis
hat from the peg, and called to Bessie to
fetch her bonnet and go with him to hunt
Brlndle. The air wRs mild and still as that
OF June, and over all the wcst lay the glory
like the incense of good deeds, which as that
sunset, linger after the spirit which called
them forth has departed.
Their walk through the broad prairie
now parched aud brown, toward the woods
which lay to the south, and lined by the
beauty Of the evening. They fingered lon-
ger than was their wont upon the way,
No trace of the COW had been seen as vet
and they had wander d sono little distance
from home. The sLort twilight was coming
swiftly on, and they were still discussing the
propricty of going farther into the woods.
when low growl, which they, knew alas but
too well, came to their terrified ears. Tbc,s
was no time to be lost. Though the sound
seemed to come from the remote border of |
the woods, they knew the fierce creature
would soon be upon them.
"Bcssle" said the little hero, that's the |
wolf; run for your life, and it you drop your
bonnet don't stop to pick it up, III keep
stwcen you and it, and will pray as we rum
The dreadful sound was approach ing
they almost thought they could hear the
Tread OF the four feet close lehind them and
as, with what speed they could, they
hasted along the path over which they had
30 lately come, thoughts of hcme, of father
and mother, Of all things dear came into their
little hearts as they str, amcd along tho road.
The glow was fast fading out of the west,
and the dusky eve was gathering her somber
mantle over Il face of the earth; but from
,hc cottage which might 10 seen for miles up
IN the level plains, they saw the light gleam
rom their mothers window, anu with new
'igor they pressed on.
Bessies ffaging energies, encouraged BY her
'rothci's noble worGs, revived and as now
lose behind them they heard the fearful roar,
hey ran on almost breathless and painting
oward their beloved home. Tho way was .
ouGh for their little feet, and patches Of
'cssle IS summer dress we're left upon the wild
oses which grew along the path, and her lit
10 hat was left far behind down the road
On, on faster and faster. came the fearful c
east, until they seemed to feel his hot breath .
pom their cheeks, and though only few
ods now lay between them and the cottage |
hey had scarcely a hope of gaining it. A
lin seemed gathering over Bessios ey es, her
lmbs began to totter, her steps to falter, when
bove the bowling of the Gicadful volt She s
card her mothers shrek, and looking up
aw her standing with outstretchcd arms on
he door stone. again family came to her
ar the words, Bessie, for mothers sake?"
nd once more she started on. The fence |
vas gained, a frantic hand pulled her over.
nd with James she sank at her mothers side, |
nsecn by that little group, clasped in each =
Tiers arms, the father, who from distant !
'ont of the clearing had first seen his chill
rcn's danger, now crossed the fence, and a
mixing beside them, while the tears rolled a
rom his eyes, he clasped them in his arms. c
No words came from his lips, no sound !
rokc the stiffness, save the sobs of the moth
r and her babes. In that silence on his {
nee, the father s htart went up to God; and
'hcn he found voice to speak, there in their I {
lidst, in the still eve, the family alter, which,
kc many oilers, had lcen lost upon the tc- T.;
ious journey, was rebuilt. and themselves
gain committed to tie care Of Him who {
gathers the lambs in his arms and carries i
ZEN in his BOSOM" II
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