Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-29

a3<@eef jI<teense.
GENTLE HAND

did not hear the maiden's ns me. but
in my thought / have ever since O. died her
"Gentle Hand" What magic Law IN
her touch 1t WAS wonderful.
When and where, it matters n OF now To
relate-but once upon time. as I was
passing through thinly peopl ed district
OF country night came down upon mc
almost unawares. Being on 70 OF, I could
not hope to gain the village to wards which
my steps were directed, until late hour.
and 1, therefore, preferred Sc eking shelter
and nights lodging at the first humble
dwelling that presented itse f.
Dusky twilight was giving way to deeper
shadows, when found my self in the Vi
cinity of dwelling, from the small un-
curtGined windows of " nich the lirbt
shone with pleasant promise Of good
cheer and comfort. The ouse stood within
an enclosure, and q sdcGt distance from
the road along which was moving with
wearied feet. Turning aside, and passing
through an i(l-huog gs.te, approached the
dwelling. Slowly th. gate swung on its
wooden hinges and the rattle of its latch.
in closing, did not disturb the air until I
had nearly reached the little porch in front
OF the house, 'n which slender girl who
had noticed my entrance, stood AWAITING
my arrival. 40 =
A deep quick bark, answered. almost
Ike an echo, the sound Of the shutting
gate, and sudden as an apparation, the form
Of an immense dog loomed in the doorway.
was now near enough to see the SAVAGE
aspect OF the animal, and the catherine
motion of his body, as he prepared to.
bound forward upon me. His wol6sb'
growl was really fearful. At the instant
when he was about to spring, n light hand
was laid upon his,shaggy neck, and a low
word spoken. .s ~-a.f -eo. 81 -,
Don't be afraid. He won't. hurt you,'
said a voice, that to me sounded very
I now came forward, but in some doubt
as to the young girls power over the
beast, on whose rough neck her almost
childish hand still lay. The dog AID not
seem by any means reconciled te my ap-
proach, aud growled wickedly Us dissat-
isfaction. t...t.
.t4oa in Tiger said the ga, not in
voice of authority, yet in ne gentle tones
was the consciousness thai she would be
.obaved. and, as she gske,, she lightly |
bore upon the animal f1n hefr rhapG' ana
be turned away, and d'sapPeareae ae TiltlhAn !,
the dwelling, rono, 4,,o;so ,s,
..lx onsstion: a now a heavy looking
vner mo took tboygs place in the door.
'N"T rIon ,3u9 What's wanted .a
rphn - something very harsh and
e..L;Id;n In the way the man spoke.--l
rpts te;;tow laid her hand npon his arm,
aad ID 5ed with gentle pressure against
d bw far is it to G---g asked, not
gning it best to say, in the beginning,
AT sought resting place for the night.
i TO G--?' growled the man, but not
so harshly as at first. Its good six miles
from here
"A long distance; and I'm stranger,
and on foot said |. IF you can make
room for me until morning, will be very
thankful
! saw the girls hand move up his arm,
until it rested ou his shoulder, and now
she leaned to him still closer.
Come in. Wen try what can be done
foryou'
There was change in the mans voice
that made me wonder
entered large room, in which blazed
brisk fire. Before the fire sat two stout
lads, who turned upon me their heavy
ewes, with no very welcome greeting. A
middle>aged woman was standing at Ia
bic. and two children were amusing them
selves with kitten on the foor.
"a stranger, mother,' said the man who
had given nc so rude greeting at tbe
door; 'and he wants us to let him stav
all night.'
The woman looked at me doubtinoly
for few moments, and then replied cold,
ly:
We don't keep public house
q am aware Of that ma'am,' said T:
'but night has overtaken me, and it's long
way vet to c.
soo far for tired man to 90 on FOOT +
said the master of the house, kindly, SO
it's no use talking about lit, mother, we
must give him bed
So unobtrusively, that scarcely noticed
the movement, the girl had drawn to the
woman side. What she said to her, I did
not hear, for the brief words we're uttered
in low voice; but noticed, that as she
spoke, one suall, fair hand rest on tbe
woman's hand Was there magic in that
oeptle touch Q Tho ,ro,,o,,o 4