The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-09-04
heart sent Up tribute 10 Heaven for this
place of refuge in the desert of snow.


young wife was left with her BABY Accus-
TONED to the solitude she felt safe and sat
IN contentment before the blazing fire, he
flames ieaPed right ioyfuIly up the chin
uey, and the green logs sizzed and cracked
I'm the heat like things of ife Oul doors lhe
wind was bowling dfeafffy, and the snow
falling heavily but MiIly cared not, for'it
only made The fire more cheerful.
There came rapping at The door.
'How strange Who can be at our door
| in this wild night.p she said to herself, as
sLerose and went into the little entry.
Who is there g she asked
For heavens sake, let me in; am
freezing to death !' was the reply.
who are you q and how came you in
This lonely place on such an evening as
this q
4 arm a traveller. from below; lost my
way, and 1 am dying with cold. For ply
sake let me in, or shall perish !!
Mlly hesiated. She was alone, and ii
was three miles 10 the nearest neighbor's
What should she do She paused in per-
plexity.
%, save me-save me! am dying y
were the words that met her hearing -
There was a heavy fall against the sill, and
then moans. Her woman's nature could
stand no more true 10 The instinct of her
being, unbarred the door and threw it open.
closely muffled figure reeled by her into
the room, and shut;ing the door she follow
ed. On reaching Tie fire place, The slran-
ger threw of his disguise, aud stood erect
and strong, without a sign OF inconveni-
ence from the effect of the weather Mily
reifeated from him in amazemen:; but re-
covering herself, and putting the best face
on The mauer, she tremuionsIy addressed
the man:
Il am sorry, sir, you are cold. II is Bit
Ter night TO be abroad. Will you not sit by
the fire 2 As she pushed a chair forward
The man made no respond, but STOPPING
! over ran his finger through the blaze Then
he turned and stared al her wih a look
which nate her blood run cold. She would
pretend there were others in the house, for
she already felt afraid OF Tie man, and bit;>
terIy regretted having admitted him.
''WouId you like 10 see some Of the men
folks, sir 2 she inquired. 'If so, will call
them from their beds
The man laughed hoarsely and replied;
Mill Dean, Tor thai believe is your name
you cannot deceive me, you are alone in
:his house. | look particular care 10 ascer-
tain that before came. So you may make
yonrself easy on that score and do as bid
you
do as you bid me, exclaimed Mily in
terror; what do you wan; OF me-!
i want the Twelve hundred dollars in
gold your husband received for his produce
two days ago. You probably know where
il is
MlIy tPrang into the entry and would
have fed: but the stranger caught her by
The wrist and dragged her roughly back.
'You cannot escape me, young woman )
he said You will find j, most convenient
10 make clear breast of il at once. Ii will
be peter iof you
MiIly sIrove 20 release her arm. The
roneh treatmeu: she received aroused her
temper, and Indignation, overcome all other
feelings
! Let me go, you scoundrel, let me go or
viii call for help she cried
Call, you fool said the brutal fellow,
and much good may 1t DO you. Keep your.
self still and tell me where the money is.'
| q will not She tspIied, hef eyes flashing
fire.
/ you will not, he then replied, 'we shall
see.'
He released her wrist so violently thai
she reeed hall across the room. Then he
sci zed thai sleeping infant from its cradle
and held il al arms length almost into the
blazing FIRE. so That the terrified mother ex.
pected 10 see its light gsritienis catch the
flame.
"Now then, where's the money? Speak
out quick or hear your baby shriek with
pain. will bhrn it 10 death before your
eyes if you do not teilsme where the mon
sy Isl bssg ~ 1
sMbnster give me my child, shrisked
/ MiIly, endeasofihg I'd reach The little one
i Let me have my baby.
Bot every effort was frustrated, for again
and again the strong hand of the robber
thrust her back;
See, Its clothes will be on FIRE in min.
use,' said the man. putting The helpless in
Docent clbssf to the flames. TIE mother
looked inlo his eyes. She saw there the
/ look of heartless determination. She be-
come aware that the cotton garments OF
The child were smoking with the heat.
How thalI it be g asked the ruffian.-
Hurry. or the child dies. / have no time
10 waste hets' a =