Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-02-22
THE sNOW--sTORM-

sIorh hau Iaiien WIN uu"oarylng per-
severance, and now lay. doep on the
ground. I had beon detained at my
office lator than usual, and had to Cross
dreary moor for somo two miles, TO
reach my home. confess I felt chill
ed at tho prospect of such a walk in
such storm; but wrapping my plaid
around me, and staff in hand, I set
forward, thinking of the bright little
homo should soon reach, ana the
dear ones who were waiting my re-
turn with loving welcome. Soon l
left the busy town, and its many lights
behind me, and stepped out into tho
dismal moor. The snow lay much
deeper hore on the untroddon footpath,
and scemcd to fall moro heavily than
before-so thick and binding, that
found myself pcrpetually straying
from the proper roadway, and with diff:
ficulty retraced my stops; tho cold
felt kcencr also, and a sharp cast wind
had risen. At times I grow almost
breathless with the struggle, and had
to pause for gathering strength, Gro l
faced the storm once moro. At tlcngth
1 rcjoiced to see tho guiding post,
which was placed where three roads
met, and against which l was thank.
full to lean for few seconds, until 1
had recovered br cath. l was just on
the point of starting off afresh, when
"a faint sound of human voice caught
my car. Startled, listened, but all
was still. I shaded my ego with my
hand, and stared anxiously into tho
surrounding darkness; but naught
could l discern beyond q wilderness of
snow, and was concluding my mag
nation had deceived mo when again
the same murmur camc floating
through the air.
Feeling that, with the guido post so
near, 1 could scarcely loso my way,
fastened forward in the direction of
the sound, and soon distinctly heard a
chid's voice repeating tho Lords
prayer. 1t had a strange effect in
such storm at such place, and my
heart beat high when tho gentle
FAmen" was said.
1 called out, "Whoso voice is that ?"
but there was no reply. 1 called again
more loudly than before, and then the
timid answer came, "Johnnie's," and
a few steps brought mo to boy come
eight years old, standing shivering in
the snow.
"My poor little man." said, 'tare
you oil alone 2"
"No," he replied, "Nelly is here !;
but she grew SO cold and tired I could
not get hor on, and now she is fast
asleep. I felt sleepy, too, but thought
would say my prayers first" And as
I stopped down to the bundle Of snow
he. indicated cs being "Nelly," he
whispered softly, elias jesus scnt
you p
"Surcly he has" answered chad
you not said your prayers, Johnnie,
might both have perished. Buthow you
came you hero, my boy ?"
"We went into town this morning
to see grandma. It was showing
then," he said innocently, "when we
left home"
"Aud where is your homer" I
asked, "and who is your fatber7"
"Farmer Rutland" he replied eve
live at High Farm"
"High Farm happened to )ie on the
road to my own house, SO told John
ME We would all 60 homo together.
He rejoiced when he heard. my name,
and remarked to himself. GLOW well
it was l said my prayers"
found Nelly indeed half asleep,
wrapped in a heavy cape, which the
devoted little fellow had divested him.
self Of in his effort to keep her warm.
Nor could l induce him to put it on
until lie saw merraise Nelly tenderly'
in my arms and wrapping her in my
great plaid, gathered her close to my
bqsem, prepared to carry her, s. =.
g Now Johnnie" I said, "you .ksep.
hold Of the skirt ,of my coat, and we
will soon be at High Farm.g r ~
The cold seemed to- have become
more intense, the failing snow more
2