Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-12-07
G. SKETCHES
JESSIE, THE LAME GIRL.

In all the pretty village of Snowdon-
vile, there was not a prettier or happier
little maiden than Jessie Harris. She
was the only daughter Of poor, hard
working widow, who had lost husband
and received a son on the same night
George Harris had been quarryman in
the large stone works that were few
PAGES from his little house, and had been
killed by fall down deep shaft. His
widow heard the news while she was anx-
iously waiting his return to bless his new
born son, their only boy. Little Jessie,
then about three years old, and George, the
infant son, was thus left fatherless Much
sympathy was shown in Snowdonville for
the widow; and the wealthy ladies', Mrs
RalstOn, Mrs. Hewitt, and some others,
sent her plain sewing to do, paying her
fair price, and thus enabling her to sup
port herself and chiudren comfortably.
At the time my story opens, Jessie was
about eleven years old, and George eight
Jessie was the beauty and pet of the vii
lage school. With dark, waving hair,
soft hazel eyes, and a rich healthy com
plexion, she had a right to claim the first :;
and her talent and industry won her the
last. AS pretty and smart as Jessie Har
rls,' was quite saying in the village.
My story opens on a dark, clustering
winter evening, when the snow fell thick
and fast, and the high wind threatened to
shake in the windows Of the little cottage
where my heroine lived. Widow Harris
was sitting near the fire sewing; and Jes.
sizes nimble fingers kept time with hers as
she put a patch On Georges school coat
George, as a SPECIAL privilege, lay on the
settee, ready for bed, but permitted to stay
with his mother, because the wind made
him feel afraid to 60 up stairs alone
Mother said Jessie, Miss Miles said
something very nice to me to day
What was it? inquired her mother.
She said that if | study very hard and
improve as much as | have done, | will
be able to take the school, when am old
enough. She wants to give it up, bat
she is SO much attached to all the girls
that she will not do so until some one
can take her place that she can feel con-
fdence in. Mother Mother what was
thatY
They were all on their feet with white
faces and trembling figures. X fearful
crash followed by shrek of agony, had
caused Jessie's exclamation. With trem-
bling fingers, Mrs. Harris Unmatched the
door. The wind blew it open, and drfted
| the fallen snow into the room Nothing
was heard tor an instant but the bowling of
the wind: then came low moan; and a
voice cried 'Helpp
Mother, some one has fallen into the
quarry" And Jessie sprang out. Iknow
every step of the way; do not fear for me
Then raising her voice, she cried .Cour.
age | am coming
Her mother followed; and, needless of
the raging storm, Jessie went forward to
find the sufferer.
Call again. where are you?'
There was no answer
Mother she said, turning round, run
to the village for help. | am small and
light; | will go down into the quarry
God keep and preserve you ? said her
mother, for you go on his errand' And,
with this blessing, she left the child alone
in the storm.
Gathering her skirts up around her,
Jessie began to descend into the quarry.
| The huge masses of stone, though covered
with snow were uneven enough to afford
her foothold, and at last SIZE reached the
bottom. 1t was large hollow; and for an
instanther courage failed her, ass she thought
of the discouraging task she had underta-
ken; then, with fervent inward prayer,
she began 20 feel for the person whom she
had come to seek. The darkness bewild-
cred her; her own voice was lost in the noise
of the storm and her heart was sinking with
despair, when voices above reached her ear.
j ust then her foot struck AGAINST some.