The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-09-04
ENTLE Han d .


GENTLE HAND.
| did not hear the maiden's name, but in
my thought ! have ever since called her
/" Gentle Hand" What magic lay in her
touch! II was wonderful.
When and where, it matters not now to
relate-but once upon time, as was pass
ing through thinly peopled district of
country, night came down upon me, almost
unawares. Being on foot, | could not hope
to gain the village towards which my steps
were directed, until late hour; and !,
therefore, preferred seeking shelter and
nights lodging at the first humble dwelling
that presented itself.
Dusky twilight was giving 70 deeper shad-
ows, when found myself in the vicinity OF
dwelling. from the small uncurtained win
dows Of which the light shone with pleas
ant promise Of good cheer and comfort.
The house stood within an enclosure, and a
short distance from the road along which |
was moving with wearied feet. Turning
aside, and passing through an illhung gate,
approached the dwelling. Slowly the gate
swung on its wooden hinges, and the rattle of
its latch, in closing, did not disturb the air
until had nearly reached the little porch
lin front Of the house, in which slender
i girl, who had noticed my entrance, stood "a
, waiting my arrival.
4 A deep quick bark, answered, almost like
; an echo, the sound Of the shutting gate, and
/ sudden as an apparition, the form Of an i'm
, mense dog loomed in the doorway. ] was
/ now near enough TO see The savage aspect Oi
. the animal, and the gathering motion Of hi
. BODY, as he prepared to bound forward upon
, me. His woItish growl was really fearful
!, At the instant when he was about 70 spring
9 light hand laid upon his shaggy neck. and
4 low word spoken.
h Don't be afraid. He won't hurt you,
: said voice, that to me sounded very swee
q and musical.
now came forward, but in some doubt a
to the Young girls power over the beast, ol
whose rough neck her almost childish han'
still lay. The dog did not seem By an
e means reconciled to my approach, an
n growled wickedly his dissatisfaction.
N "Go in, Tiger" said the girl, not in
i voice Of authority. yet, in her gentle tone
J. was the consciousness that she would b
. obeyed and, as she spoke, she lightly Dor
Dr. upon the animal with her hand, aud be turn
/. ed away. and disappeared within the dwell
:, ing.
i "who's thati" A rough voice asked Ii
i. question; and now a heavy locking ina
ie took the dogs place in the door.
/. awho are you (: What's wanted !"-
IN There was something very harsh and 70
As bidding in the way the man spoke. III
h. girl now laid her hand upon his arm, az
ID leaned, with gentle pressure. against hlr
at How far is il 10 C.! | asked, n
or deeming Il best to say, in the beginning, th
et | sought a resting place for the night.
n. "To G-w growled the man, but n
ey SO harshly as at first. It's good six mil
'st from here"
Il. a long distance; and I'm a strange
he and on foot" said I. "lf you can nal
rn room for me until morning, ! will be yeI
I'd thankful
be saw the girls hand move quietly up l
on arm, until il rested on his shoulder, asd NJ
in she leaned 20 him still closer.
ia "Come in. Well Try what can be do
,el FOR you."
he There was a change in the mans vol
be that made me wonder.
!. Ientered large room. in which blazed
,at brisk Gre. Before the fre sat two sto
r.. lads, who turned upon me their heavy eye
mt with no very welcome greeting. A mi
No dls-aged woman was standing At q tsbl
IT. and two children were amusing themsels
nd with kitten on the aoor.
-ly "a stranger, mother" said the man vi
at had given me SO rude greeting at the doc
d. /" and he wants Us to let him stay all night
e. The woman looked at me doubtingly
ed few moments, and then replied. coldly
al "we don't keep public house."
ii. "Pm aware Of that, ma'am," said Il; "b
en- night has oyertaken me. and its long Vi
XIV yet 70 c."
Ne Too Car Cor tired man 10 70 on foot
he said The master Of the house. kindly, !"
eh its no use talking about Il. mother, NC mu
Ia give him a bed"
ng 10 unobtrusiyely, that I scarcely motto,
ne the movement, the girl had drawn 10 I
to woman,s side. What she said TO her. | d
II not hear, for the brief words were uttered
be low voice but noticed, that as she spok
by one small. fair hand rest on the woman
Of hand. Was there magic in that gent
VII touehf TIE woman's repulsive aspect chan
"a ed into one Of kindly welcome, as she sal,
IN. aNes it's A LONG Wav 10 C. | que