Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-01

we better stay? she asked pcrsuasively.
But liquor had made him sullcn.
mo, we must go homc," he said, surily
She knew it would avail nothing to argue
the matter with him, but only lead tc pain
full exposure SO she commenced making her
adicux.
BY dint of gentle coaxing she induced him
to give the babe to her before they started
AS they rode away Uncle logan sh: Sled
out to them:
6" Look out f5r the creek I"
Virgic's heart was too heavy for a reply
but Charles shouted back with maull;n cheer
fulncss:
An right"
AS they rode on, she saw that he was sink
ing into drunken strpor! Oh, if they were
only safe at home, how glad she would be !!
And then she thought Of the wide creek yet
to be fordcd, and every breath was prayer
She determined not to let him have the ch'i'
when they came to the crossing, but to trust
to her own arm and courage to carry herself
and the babe through, ENc hoped he would
not think to ask her for the child, and was
nervng herself for a refusal, III case he should
when they came in sight of the water
The moon shown down. making it almost
as bright as day, ,Nirgie thanked God for
that But she sitdttrcd as the roar of the
waters fell on her car, and she saw it foaning
white in the moonlight, as it swept in strong
| current over the rocks.
charles reused himself.
"Whcrc's the boy ~ he askel.
= Never mind, dear he's asleep, a"d don't
like to disturb him. can carry him over. |
an strong enough for it."
"What is the woman thinking of? You
carry him over indeed! Give him right
straight here to mc.'
to hold him. | shall be thankful if you can
guide your horse over safely, as you are"
.. Ia. What do you mean by that ?''
F5fH made him no answer
"D DO you take me for fool?'' he said
roughly and angrily.
Now, Charles, don't do so? You know
your arm is very unsteady, just now. it IS
indeed %
"Ah, | understand you now SO, Madam
suppose you think Tn drunk r.
Again she was silent.
"Give me the child ~ he said force,y.
go Charles For Gods sake
"Givc NiiH to me, | say! Do you tl'ink
to brave me so? Give him here this minute"
Resistance, she knew, was useless. 1t
would only serve to infuriate him, and what
will not drunken man do?
"Wat till fix him." ihe said, but hcr
voi,S was u''naturally quiet.
Uncovering the little sleeping face, she
kissed it oncc-then drawing the thick blanket
closer over the. sll8HIs which tnvrlopcd tie
little figure, she covered tie lace again, and
gave him into her husband s arma.
Charles For the love of God be hsre-
full"
Don't be fool !"
So they plunged in, aal she did Hot take
her eyes from the other two, until they had
reached the opposite bank: Then her horse
stepped on stone, and, slipping, nearly pre-
cpitated her into the water, when her attcn-
tion was again free they had reached the op-
positc bahk.
"There he is!' said Charles triumphantly,
as he placed the bundle in her arms. " What
simpleton ttu were to think couldn't bring
him over safely"
How very light it was! Good God She
moyed it about in her arms-prcsscd i closer,
and thph uttered al awful shrek.
In his drunken unconsciousncss Charlie had
let the sleeping infant slip outof the blanket,
and nothing could be heard above the dcafcn-
ing r;'ar of the waters. He did not kho% it
till the mother screamed.
There was no help! Oh! it wrs pitiful,
heat breaking! Poor young mothcrl
"My child! Ny little child! My Clat-
lie q, my child
Both turned simultaneously back to the
water. The quick eye Of the mother was just
in time to catch orc last brief glimpse Of a
little rosy, ptisul, upturned face-and then it
disappeared down the current, and tic rapid
waters flowed on
The home of the Gales is very still now,
virgie's pale face seem palcr yet, contra5'cd
with her black dress, The cradle looks SO
desolate, standing always back in one corner
of the nursery. Che fcscr passes it without
hn hn, hnnrt xrr,n.r nnn,r ind sI,n will cit