The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-10-16

THE
LONGEST NIGHT IN 1 LIFE
II was one Of the old fashioned winter
in the days Of the Georges, when tho SNOW
10y on the ground for weeks. when railway
were unknown. and the eclectric telegraph
had not been dreamed Of save BY the specu
lativs Countess Of LoniOn. Tho mails hac
been irregular for month past, and the let
ter bags which did reach tho postofice had
been brought thither with difficulty The
newspapers were devoid Of ali foreign intel
ligence. the metropolis know nothing Of the
d0ings Of the PROVINCES, and the provinces
knsw little more Of the Affairs OF the metrop.
oils but the columns Of both were crowded
with accidents from the iuolemency Of the
weather, with heart-rending accounts ol
starv alton and destitutiou. with wonderful
escapes Of adventurous travellers, aud oi
still more adventarous mAilcoachmen and
guards. Business was almost at . stand.
still. or was only carried on by fits and
starts; families were made uneasy by the
frequent long silence of their absent mem
bsrs, and the poor were suffering great mis-
cry from cold and famine.
Tho south road had been blocked No for
nearly month, when . partial .haw almost
csused public rejoicing; ooschss began TO
run. letters to be dispatched and delivered.
and weasherbound travellers to have some
hope Of reaching their destination.
Among the first ladies who undertook the
journey from the west of Scotland to Lon
don ~ this time. was . oertsia Miss Stirling.
who had. for weeks past, desired to reach
the metropolis. Her friends assured her
thst Il was . foolhasdy attempt. aud told
her Of travellers who had been twioe. nay
three times. showed up on their way to town:
but their advice and warniags were OF no
avail Miss Surling's business was urgent.
it concerned others more thsu herself, and
she was not one to be deferred by personal
discomfort or by physical difficulties from
doing what she Thought was right.
SO, she kept TO her purpose. and early in
February took her seat in the mail for Lon
don. being tho only passenger booked for
the whole journey.
The thaw bad contisued for some days /;
the roads though heavy were open and
with the aid Of extra horses here aud theIe
the frss half of the journey was performed
pretty easily though tsdiously.
The second day was more trying than the
frst the wind blew keenly, and penetrated
every crevice of the coach the partial thaw
had but slighLy Affected the wild moorland
they had 10 cross; thick heavy clouds we're
gathering round the the rayless sun and
when on reaching little road side inn the
snow began to fall fast. both the guard and
coachman urged their solitary passenger to
remain there for the night. instead of temp
ting tho discomforts and perhaps the perils
of the next stage. Mise Stirling hesitated
for . moment. but the little inn looked by
no me ans . pleasant place to be snowed mp
In, 90 she resisted their entreaties, aud /,
gathering her furs moro closely round her.
she nestled herself into . corner Of the
coach, Thus. for . time. she lost ell con.
isoiossoess Of outward things in sleep.
A sudden lurch awoks hes aud che
soon learned that they had stuck fast 10 .
snow drift. and that no efforts Of the tired
horses could sXtrioats the coach from its un.
pleasant predicament. The guard mount
ing one of the leaders. set Of in search Of
assistance, while the coachman comforted
Miss Stir ling that ~ nearly - they could
calculate they were only . mile or two from
,"ths sQuirss," aud that il tho guard could
find his way to the squire's the squire was
certain 20 come to their rescue with his
slsd2e. Il was not the FIRST time that the
squire had got the mailbags out Of . snow
wreath BY that means.
y Tho coachman's expectations were full
filed. Within an hour the distinct sinkling
Of the sledgo bells wss heard. aod lights
seen gleening afar; they rapidly advanced
nearer and nearer; and soon hearty voice
was heard hAiling them. A party Of men
With lanterns and shovels came to their as
sistsnce . strong arm lifted Miss Stirling
from the coach, and supported her trembling
steps 70 slsdgs close a. hand and almost
before she knew where she Was, she found
herself in . large ball brilliantly lighted BY
ablasing wood 6rs. Numbers Of rosy glow
ing childish faces were gathered around
her, numbers Of bright eager eyes were q
sing ooriously spon her. kindly hands we're
Ousiod 10 removing her wraps, and pleasant
voices welcomed her and coasratulased ber
on her escape.
cay. ~. Nary" said her host. address
ing hia wife. " told you that the sleigh
would hare plenty OF work this winter. and
you see Was right"
- A. you always are, uncle." . merry
voice exclaimed. :. We all cay q Haw,pec
that Uncls Athertou never can be wrong. %
''Ather,oni Hswtree - repeated Mis-,
Stirling in somc amassment, and uttered in
that familiar voice! Ellen. Ellen Middle
ton. 10 it possible that yoa arc here ?''
A joyful exclamation and rush into he,
arms were tho young sirl.s ready reply q
this question a. che cried. "Unele Ather
ton. Aunt Mary. don't you know your old
friend Miss Ssirliug 90
An. AtAsrtoo fxed her soft blue eyes 90