The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-12-23
From Godey's Ialys Book for january.
TROTy
CHRISTMAS STO r y.
q If0PEDALE
BY s. ANNIE FROST.

carpet bag sprans out upon the platform OF
the little station. Ny brief holiday was ovtfj
and, with a shrug, | prepared for my short
walk through the morning air, looking for
ward to the good fire and delicious cup OF
rolfee was sure Mrs. Watson was keeping
for me.
1t was q very rare event for me to leave
The little village whose name heads this
etory. Ny father had been the only resident
j'hvsiciau there, from the time when was Il
ioisterous school-boy, up to the hour when,
in his professional rounds, he fell dead with
heart disease in the main street, leaving me,
his heretofore assistant sole heir to his name,
property, and practice. Ten years before,
they had carried my dear mother to the little
thurchyard, and installed Mrs. Watson house
keeper in her place. The villagers were will
ing to let the young doctor step into his
fathers place beside their ick-beds, and so
for five years had filed his duties. In all
those five years had taken no holiday, so
when an invitation came from my old col
iege friend and since correspondent, Clement
Payne, to spend Christmas with him, at his
fathers place. on the Hudson, | was sJrely
tempted to accept, and finally concluded to
do SO. 1t was literally Christmas | spent,
leaving home at midnight on the 9th, and
nv friends house exactly twcnty'four hours
later. 1t had been pleasant break in the
midnotony of my life, and as | stood at sun
rise on the IIopcdalc station platform, was
sure nv recreation would give me new vigor
for my daily duties.
As turned to descend the steps leading
to the road. some impulse, nay, Provl'
dcnce. led me to look in at the window OF
the room, by courtesy Ladies Room, OF
the station. 1t was cold and dcsolate. No
fire was lighted, and there was no furniture
unless the hard, wooden benches against the
walls could be so denominated. But curlcd
nm on one of these benches. sleeping sound.
". Law strange child. His dress of rich
fi,r.trimmed velvet, tl'r warm fur cap, long
y,,itcrs and mittens, spoke of wealth and
care and the pale face, round which clus
tered short curls of a sunny brown was round
with health and wonderfully beautiful. He
was no Hopedale child; | knew them all
Nv professional instinct made my heart
thrill with a sudden shock, as | caught sight
Of the pale face for well knew the danger
Of that deep sleep in the biting winter air.
How LONG had he been there? Was he al
ready dead? were tic questions | asked my
self as I strobe across the room, and lifted
Him in my arms. There was no breath came
from the white lips, no throb at the wrist,
only faint, very faint Tutoring under my
fingers as | pressed them over the baby
heart Mautling him warmly in my heavy
cloak, | tore down the steps, and raced along
the road homcward at pace that would have
considerably amazed my patients, had any Of
them been awake at that early hour.
Allowing Mrs. Watson no time for amaze
mcpt | pressed her into service, and in what
she called "a jifIy," we had the little form
undrcsscd. in my bed, and undergoing the
iaost vigorous treatment. 1t was so long
before we were successful, that my heart
almost failed me: but at last The faint Heart
throbs grew stronger; color came to the pale
lips and checks, and n pair of large brown
ewes appeared from under the heavily fringed
lids had watched so anxously.
Only look of sleepy inquiry was visible,
rs he stared a moment at me, then obeying
nv order to drink the warm food Mrs. Wat
son held to his lips, my little patient closed
his ewes again, and turned over to finish his
nan. He was safe now, | knew so leaving
him to Mrs Watson's care, who by this time
knew as much about him as | did, | went to
sleep myself, to be ready for the day duties
It was nearly nine o'clock when my house
keeper reused me to say that breakfast was
ready, and the child awake.
Very wide awake found him, the glorious
brown eyes staring round my room, taking il
every detail Of its arrangement.
"Who are you? How did | get here? An
] nearly at Australia? Who's that man il
the picture - were the questions pourct
rapidly forth, before had time to frame on,
inquiry. 81 want to etup! Who's got m,
clothes?' came next; then, "Who put m,
TO bed without any night gown?'
Not a sign of fear or word of homcsicl
ness! | was puzzled.
"What is your name?" / asked, sittin,
down beside him.
"Trot ~ | want to get up!'
"You shall get up in a minute, but frs
tell me your name, and how you came to b
asleep in the staton?''
"My names Trot; and the plaguy Car
started of without me when | got out. |
was dark night, and could not catch them
so | went into the room and went to slee
till they came again"
"Was your mother in the train-in tn
cars?"
"No; nobody but just me. I'm going t
Australia"
4" Going to Australia 2"
eyes Ellen's there! They have rose
there at Christmas, and we wanted some fo
our tree"
"But, my child, you did not leave hom
alone?'
ayes did I amt afraid I'm goin
back right away, as soon as find Ellen, an
get the roses"
But don't you know you will have
Al