The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-01-29

light hearts and heavy wrappers bade 1t
defiance, and the carriage rang with mer-
ry voices and laughter as they drove slow
ly through the deep drifts. They were
nearly mile from the house, in part Of
the country but little built up, when Meta
held up her hand for silence. A low,
wailing. cry, made fainter by distance,
came on the sudden hush; cry of des-
pairing pain that thrilled those warm,
young hearts
"lVhat is it ?''
"suppose it should be a child lost in
the snow
"stop, John" cried Mrs. I.awton.-
"Come, girls, we will get out aud see"
A child lost in the snow Aye, little
child, crouching down near deserted
house. her arms round the neck Of a dog,
her face hidden in her poor dress, and her
wailiug cry growing weaker with each
repetition They found her very soon, for
the dark stuff of her dress was distinct as
she lay in the cold white snow lsnk. Lou
ey's cloak was off in a mpment, and Mrs.
Lawton raised the shivering form from its
cold bed
"My child. nay poor child! how came
you here ?"
The little one looked up gratefully at
the kind, tender voice, but only shook her
head, sadly
s'She must be foreigner, MolHe," said
Meta. Try French"
The question in French. was succeeded
by one in Italian, bat only. the sad mega
tive was answered.
"AIy stock of German is very scanty,"
said Louey; ebut it will do naharm to
try"
One word only fell on the little girls
ear, and the dark eye kindled and the pale
face flushed with keen pleasure.
YES, yes, lady" she said, eagerly, in
German, "Maria is German"
allow came you here ~
"Maria walked from New York"
"Walked! Why, it is twenty lniles.w
eyes; Maria started yesterday"
"Take her to the carriage, Louey, and
We can talk on the way home. [ mast
postpone going to Dayton till aftercoon,
and make this poor child comfortable
Come, little one"
But Maria clung to Louise, not needing
the request in strange language.
Louise was but little skilled IN German
yet by dint of attention she made out the
;hi!d's story. Her name was Maria Berk
mann, and she had come from Germany
IN the summer, with her mother, who died
IN the ship before they reached New |
ork. One of the other emigrants had |
aiken Maria because she could sing, aud /
made her 90 out with a hand organ to sing
n the streets The little girl showed the /
gelts on her neck and arms where a cruel |
2and had strapped her for any deficiency |
n the supply Of pennies, and told how |
he had run away to walk back To Ger
many; bus the snow storm had covered
he road, and she was tired and cold, and
bought she would sit down in the snow,
md perhaps God would take her to heav-
IN, to her dear, LOST mother.
Noiiie's generous heart suggested every
comfort, and Louey's imperfect German
some consolation to the poor
title wanderer. Alter hearty meal, she
gas put into warm bed, and soon forgot
Ter troubles for a time in d sound sleep
After some deliberation, the ladies dec;-
led to keep her until Rolph came, to see
f he could fud some clue to her relatives
,r friends, and return her to them. Every
hing about The child denoted her claim to
| place in good circle Her beauty was
lelicate. her hands and feet small and
perfect, her accent pure, and her mauners
ycntle and graceful No mark OF coarse
Iess or low breeding showed any fitness
or the trade she had pursued after arri
ring in New York, and her quiet look at
he handsome house aud furniture, and
,ase at the well spread table proved that
such home was not entirely new to her.
.'ltoIph will be here tomorrow; so let
.er stay with yen. Louey, till he comes.
I.ouey's heart Was already open TO the I
,hild Who came from Roiph's homc, and .
he readily consented To share her room +
gith the poor little stranger for the time +
before Ro!ph arrived.
The next day, however, brought not the !
expected auest, !gut letter saying that le /
could not join them until evening. It VA,
line o'clock before the train reached
Day ton, and Mrs l4awton drove over to
ace; the new conner. A!aria was lying in !
oed, irving to mind Louise and 90 to
slcep y hen the carriage drove up and she
beard the glad welcome given to Rolph.
The tears course,I silently down her checks,
Ill, as the sadness grew too oppressive,
she stole quietly to the window, ana sat
ever her loneliness and troub-
es The moon shone do~n through the
clear 2laSs inakiag lie shadow, dark, and
the ;ght weird ADD CHASTITY; anei the ch:ld