The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-05-23

the station be wishes to reach through the
valley sweeps a vast water-power, and here
stands the wondrous mill, in which daily
work three thousand people, employed by
John Fielding, the great cotton lord. But
the mighty giant of spindle and mule sleeps
to day, the fires are low, and labor rests her
hands Some miles from the mill the man
sion Of the cotton lord stands embosomed
in woods, and here at the foot of the fell is
a cluster of cottages.
Descending to one of these, he asks wo-
man standing at q door, the nearest way to
the opposite fell.
"Why, cross the beck by the bridge, and
take the roAd before thee. But eh, sir it's
a coming on a wild night for the moors;
and now I'm thinking, if you 60 by Gray
stones-Mr. Fielding's park anem there
you'd find it more sheltered like, and bit
higher still. You can't miss the way il ye
keep this side the beck to the mill then
cross it, and bit beyond get into the park
by a s,ile; the path then III take you by
Graystone. pool-a mighty piece OF water
all frozen over now-and towards the end
leaps up the way to the moors. You can't
miss it, though it's coming on wild night,
| fear"
Gray hurries on, passes the mill, the mill.
hands cottages-almost all Of them tenant
less to.day-fnds his way 10 the pool, and
so 10 its furthest side nearest the moor
As he approaches the road leading thereto,
he sees a man dressed as servant, standing
on the bank as though attending three or
four boys, who were skating up and down
the pool. They are all Of them fine athlet.
ic lads, and Gray knows them to be his old
drawing pupils, the Fieldngs. Though he
has no intention of approaching them, for
they are skating some distance from where
he has TO turn off, he cannot refrain from
staying a moment to watch them. As he
does so, bell at the hall rings loud and
clear; it's echoes are taken up in the solemn
moors, and re echoed back again.
"GentIemen," calls the servant, "there is
the first dinner table; you had better return
now."
They prepare as it seems to obey, by skat
ing towards the shore; and Gray rurns away,
not willing to be recognized and detained,
for he feels desoate and low in heart. For
him no welcoming feast is spread, no ear
! listens for him, no eye expects him. Snow
before him, snow behina him-a sad and
solemn Christmas day 10 him Yet the
SHOWS o! winter hide the buds of spring, and
out OF our sorrows our truest joys are o'ten-
est born.
He has turned his face and his steps away
rom the pool towards the moor, when a
crash, followed by uwfu! cries meet his ears.
Looking round, hurrying towards The pool
he sees that the talleSt youth, in skating to.
wards the shore, grounded dangerous ice
cracked, and he fell through. He is now
struggling in the water-his hands battling
with the ice; whilst his brothers, hasten
ing to the rescue, seem in peril too, the poo
: demented servant-a coward, perhaps, b.
: nature-stands on the shore, wringing hi'
hands and shouting.
At dozen athletic bounds Gray ha'
reached the spot. In another moment h
has thrown off his coat, and hat and knap
sack.
; "stephen! Wales Falkland !" he calls
"don't attempt that; I'll come to Harry
rescue" Even whilst he speaks he dashe
l. his way across the ice, goes through it,
: in the pool; not minute too soon-the la
. is spent, and, benumbed with cold,
- sinking.
"A brave heart, Harry-a hand net
, there, now my arm 8 around you-bear uE
y I'm Gray, your old drawing. MASTER" Holt
10 ing the lads head above water, swimmin
. dexterousIy, battling with the ice, in an anx
" GUS moment or two he has reached tn
~ shore. Having needed Grny's warnin!
10 the other boys are safe, too, and now crow
" round.
"Harry is not much the worse," said Gra
kindly, as the spent and benumbed lad lea
t. on him and begins to recover. "A ne
le chance; but drop of brandy, with ri
h. home and a warm bath, will set him q
as right. Walter, feel in my coat pocke
s. you'll fiud my brandy flask; it holds but
At drop, but it'll do good" So saying, whe
IS the flask is found, Gray makes Harry tai
:, what it holds, and then hurries him {
o. home.
~! "But you'll come, Gray :" says Stephe
he who is the next eldest to Harry, "papa W
IS never forgive US, if you don't come, aft
q. having saved US our dear Harry. We {
ar ways liked you Gray, and were talking
you this very morning. Come onI you
l. dripping lik a dog" .
ID ",rhank you; Iwant to be at --- st
1e tion by O'Clock tonight, and at Leeds I
e morrow; SO can't. have dry undergs
ly men,s in my knapsack here, which I C
I'd change in that folder shed yonder. Goo
y, bye, | want to cross the moor before it
1t too late"
ca "The moor, Grey! Why, you'll have
as hard fight with the snow. Our shepher
pt report it as very deep. But why are y
tied for few hours!"
It. II have left Tubbs; l taught too fast
e. himj but if I reach Leeds by tomorrow