Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-08-20
THE SNOW STORM.

II was dark December night wild ant
stormy Ever since midday the SNOW had fall
en- with unvearyng perseverance,, and ney
lay deep on the ground. ! had been detaine,
at MY ofhce later than usual, and had to eros
dreary moor for some two miles to reach M
home. confess felt chilled at the prospec
| OF such walk in such n storm; but wrnppip.
my plaid around me. and staff in hand, se
forward, thinking of the bright little home
should soon reach, and the dear ones who were
always waiting my return with loving well
come.
Soon | left the busy town with its many
lights behind me, and stepped out into the dis
NAL moor. The snow lay much deeper here
on the untrodden iootpath, and seemed 10 fall
more heavily than before--so thick and blind
ing, that found myself perpetually straying
from the proper roadway, and with difficulty
retraced my steps; the cold felt keener also
and sharp cast wind had risen. At times |
| grew almost breathless with the struggle, and
had to pause for gathering strength ERE faced
the stCrm once more
At length | reioced to see the guiding post
which was placed where three roads meet and
against which was thankful to lean for few
seconds, until had recovered breath. was
Just on the point Of starting of arresh, when n
iaiut sound of human voice caught my ear.
Startled, listened, but all was still shaded
.Ag w wan anu blhTou huAlOusly
into the surrounding darkness; but naught
could discern beyond wilderness OF snow
and was just concluding my imagination had
deceived me,when again the same mLrmer came
floating through the air.
Feeling that, with the guide post 30 near,
could searcely lose my wny. FASTENED forward
IN the direction OF the sound, and soon die
tinctly heard child's voice repeating the
Lorda prayer. 1t bad strange effect ia such
n a a nla,a arl hoo hoo l.,
when the gentle "Amen' was said
called out, Whose voice is that 2 but there
was no reply. ! called again more loudly than
before, aud then the timid answer came, John
MES, and few steps brought me to boy
some eight years old, standing shivering in the
snow.
"ay poor little man." said, "are you all
alone2'
"No' he replied, NELLY is here, but she
grew go cold and tired could not get her on,
and now she is fast asleep | felt sleepy, too,
but thought would say my prayers first" and
as stopped down TO tho bundle of snow be
had indicated as being "Neily," be Whispered
softly, "Has Jesus sent you2"
Surely he has" | answered. "had you not
said your prayers, Johnnie, yon might both
have perished But how came you here my
boy p
I'VE went into town this morning TO sec our
grandma--it was showing then, when we lett
home"
"And where is your home, and who Is your
father p
"earmer Rutland, Se live at High Farm, he
replied.
High Farm happened to lie on the road to
my own house, SO told Johnnie we would all
go home together.
He rejoiced when he heard my name, and re.
marked to himself, "How we'll ii was said my
prayers"
found Nelly indeed half asleep, wrapped in |
y heavy cape, which the devoted little fellow |
had divested himself of in his endeayor to keen |
her warm. Nor could induce him to put it |
on until he saw me raise Nelly ,cnderly in my |
arms and wrapping her in my great plaid |
gathered her close TO my bosom, prepared to |
carry her.
"Now johnnie, said "you keep hold of
me skirt OF my coat, and we shall soon I've Mt |
High Farm"
The cold seemed to have become more in
Tense, the falling snow more dense than ever |
Maniully the little fellow kept up to my side |
though the snow by this time reached above |
bis knees. ! tried 10 cheer him ns we trudged |
along nut lelt the drag upon my coat becom- |
ing greater and 1t was evident his strength and |
neart we're failing him-then suppressed sob |
broke from him, aud he elung more closely to |
ne Rs bent down tying to soothe and COM |
fort him.
"fon are q bravo little man ," said I've
will soon reach the farm now ,h3ok Of the |
bright ire here, tie uice warm WIZ and the
bread, and mothers loving kiss all waiting for
you
81 cannot walk further" lie sobbed. "ob,
lake Nelly home, let ns lie down here | will |
say my prayers, and perhaps Jesus will send
some one else to help me-"
mo, no, answered cheerily. 81 cannot
leave you tehind, Johnnie; you must lust make
horse of me, and mount my back. There
you are now, hold me fast around the neck aud
whip hard to make me 60 bster"
And again started torwar endeAvoring to
Keep him awake with questio and little sal
liesi but ielt the additional burden in such a
storm was becoming beyond NV already ex-
hausted strength, when suddenly wayerinc
speck oil light shot out OF the darkness, then
vanished, then appeared once more, becoming