Litchfield enquirer., 1861-01-17
nlisfeIlonp.
THE LONGEST NIGHT IN A LIFE.

THE LONGEST NIGHT IN A LIFE. 7 BY CHARLES DICKENS.
 It was one of those old fashioned winters, Il the days of the Georges, when the snow lay ol the ground for weeks, when railways were un known, and the electric telegraph had not beel dreamed of save by the speculative Countes of London. The mails had been irregular for month, and the letter bags which did not reacl the post office had been brought thither witl difficulty. The newspapers were devoid of al foreign intelligence, the metropolis knew noth ing of the doings of the provinces, and the pro vinces knew little more of the metropolis. Blu the columns of both were crowded with acci dents from the inclemency of the weather, witt heart-rending accounts of starvation and desti tuition, with wondrous escapes of adventurou: travellers, and still more adventurous mal-coach , men and guards. Business was almost at { standstill, or was carried on by fits and starts families were made uneasy by the frequent lons silence of their absent members, and the poo were suffering great misery from cold and fam , inc.
 The South road had been blocked up fol nearly month, when partial thaw almost caused a public rejoicing; coaches began te run, letters to be despatched and delivered, and weatherbound travellers to have some hope o reaching their destination.
 Among the first ladies who undertook the Tourney from the west of Scotland to London at this time, was certain Miss Sterling, who had for weeks past desired to reach the metropolis Her friends assured her that it was 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; Miss Stirlings business was urgent, it concerned others more than herself, and she was not one to be detened by personal discomfort or by physical difficulties from doing what she thought was right.
 So, she kept to her purpose and early in Feb ruary took her seat ill the mail coach for Lon don, being the only person booked for the whole journcy.
 The thaw had continued for some days, the roads, though heavy, were open ; and with the aid of extra horses here and there the first half of the journey was performed pretty easily, though ttdlously.
 The secoHd day was more trying than the first the wind blew keeply. and penetrated ev- cry orfce of tho coach the partial thaw had but slightly affected the wild uloorland they had to cross; thick, heavy clouds were gathering round tue red ruyiess sun /; and when reach ing tha littlo ro.saccr Inn the snow began to fall fast, both the guard and coachman urged their solitary passenger to remain there for the night, instead of tempting the discomforts and perhaps perlls of the next stage Miss Sterling hesitated for d moment, but the little inn looked by no means pleasant place to be showed up in, so she resisted their entreates, and gather ing her furs more closely around her, she nestled herself into corner of the coach. Thus for a tine she lost ali consciousness of outward | things in sleep.
 A sudden lulch awo!se her, and she soon learn ed tliat they had stuck fast in snow drift, and that no efforts Were made to extricate the coach from its unpleasant predicamcnt. The guard mounting one of the horses, set out in search of assistance while the coachman comforted Miss Sterling by telling her that, as nearly as he could calculate they Were only mile or two from the squire's,' and that if the guard could find his way to the squre's, the squire sure to come to the rrscue wi.h his sledge It was not the first time the squire had got the mail bags out of snow wreath by that means.
 The coachmans expectations were fulfilled. Within an hour, the distant tihklng of the sedge bells was heard, and lights were seen gleaning atar; they rapidly advanced nearer and nearer; an! soon hearty voice was heard hail ing thenl. A party of men, with lanterns and shoyeis came to their assistance. strong arm lifted Miss Stirling from the coach, and support ed her trembling steps to a-sledge close at hand and almost before she knew where she was, she found herself in large hall, brilliantly lighted
 
 ing, childish faces, were gathered round her, numbers of bright, eager eyes were gazing curi- ously upon her, kindly hands were busied in re- moving her wraps and pleasant voices wecom- ed her and congratulated her upon her escape
 'Ay, ay, Mary said her host, addressing his wife, I told you that the sledge would have plenty of work this winter, and you see 1 was right
 As you always are, uncls,' merry voice ex- yyT 4l,. IL Atherton can never be wrong
 .Atherton! Hawtree ]! repeated Miss Stirling in some amazement, and uttered in that familiar voice, Ellen, Ellen Middleton, is it possible you are here3'
 A joyful exclamation and rush into heI arms were the young girls reply to this question as she cried,
 Uncle Atherton, Aunt Nary don't you know your old friend Miss Sterling?
 Mrs. Atherten fixed her soft blue eyes on the stranger in whom she could at first scarcely re- cognlze the bright haired girl whom she had not seen for eighteen or twenty years, but by and by was Ellen Stirling still, with the same sunny smile and the same laughing eyes that had made every one love her in their school days. Heart felt indeed were the greetings which followed and cordial the welcome Mrs. Atherton gave he1 old friend as she congratulated herself on hay ing dear Helen under her own roof, more espe cialy as she owed this good fortune to Mir. Ath erton's exertion in rescung her.
 1t is the merest chance, too, that he is al home at present. said she, he ought to have been in Scotland, but the state of the roads iE this bleak country has kert him prisoner her. for weeks"
 And others as well,' Ellen Middleton added but both children and grown people are only too thankful to have so good an eycpse for stay ing at Belfield.' And then laughing she asked Aunt Mary how she meant to dispose of Mis- Sterling for the night for the house was as full already as it could hold.
 sO' said her aunt, we shall manage yer, we'll Belfeld is very elastic.'
 She smiled as she spoke but is struck Mis- Stirling that the question was, nevertheless, puzzling one, so she took the first oppertunit, J. of entreatlng her to take nc trouble on her ac e count a chair by the fire was really all the ac e commodation she cared for, as she wished to b e in readiness to pursue her journey as sosn a J the coach could proceed,
 We shall be able to do better for you tha 0 that Mrs. Atherton answered cheerfully. : y cannot, it is true, promise you a state room . for every bed in the house is full and knoN c you will not allow any one to be moved for you ', convenience; but have one chamber still 8 'e your service, which, except in one respect, ]" comfortable enough
 s- Haunted, of course,' said Miss Stirling gail, = Oh, no, no, it is not that! had it fitted u ~ ~ for my brother William when he used to be her t more frequently than of late, and it is often O, It ~ cupled by gentlemen when the house is full br