Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-02-02
The snow Storm.


now lay deep on the ground. / had been
detained at my office later than usual, and
had to cross dreary moor for some two
miles, to reach my home, l confess / felt
chilled at the prospect ofsuch walk in such
storm; but wrapped my plaid around me,
and staff in hand, set forward, thinking of
the bright little home l should soon reach,
and the dear ones who were waiting my re-
turn with loving welcome Soon left the
busy town, and its mary lights, behind me,
and stepped out into the dismal moor. The
snow lay much deeper here on the untrodden
footpath, and seemed to fall more heavily
than before-so thick and binding, that |
found myself perpctually straying from the
proper roadway, and with difficulty retraced
my steps; the cold felt keener also, and o
sharp east wind had risen. At times grew
almost brcathless with the struggle, and had
to pause for gathering strength ere faced
the storm once more. AT length / rejoced
to see the guiding post, which was placed
where three roads met and against which l
was thankful to lean for a few seconds, until
had recovered breath. was just on the
point of starting off afresh, when faint
sound of human voice caught my ear
Startled, listened, but all was still shad-
ed my eye with my hand, and stared anx
iously into the surrounding darkness; but
naught could discern beyond wilderness
of snow, and was just concluding my i'm
agination had deceived me when again the
same murmur came floating through the air.
Feeling that, with the guide-post so near,
l could scarcely lose my way, fastened
forward in the direction Of the sound, and
soon distinctly heard child's voice repeat
ing the Lords prayer 1t had a strange
in ut Il
my heart beat high when the gentle amen
was said.
called ont, "Whose voice is that 2" but
there was no reply. called again, more
loudly than before, and then the timid an
swer came, "Johnnie," and few steps
brought me 70 boy some eight years old,
standing shvering in the snow.
MY poor little man," | said, "are you all
alone e.
NO." he replied, "Nelly is here but she
grew so cold and tired l could not get her
on, and now she is fast asleep. felt sleepy,
too, but thought l would say my prayers
first" And as stopped down to the bundle
of snow he had indicated as being NELLY"
he whispered softly, Has Jesus sent you n
''Surely he has" answered; "had you not
said your prayers, Johnnie, you might both
have perished. But how came you here, my
boyl"
1--WE went into town this morning, TO see
grandma. 1t was showing then" he said
innocently, "when we left home"
"And where is your home ?" asked, "and
who is your fathera"
Farmer Ruthland," he replied; 1--WE live
at High Farm"
High Farm" happened to lie on the road
to my own house, so l told Johnnie We
would 60 home together. He rejoiced wher
| he heard my name, and remarked to himself
GLOW well it was said my prayers"
found Nelly indeed half asleep, wrapped
J in heavy cape, which the devoted little
! fellow had devested himself of in his endea
vor to keep her warm. Nor could l induce
him to put it on until he saw me raise Nell,
tenderly in my arms and wrapping her il
my great plaid, gathered her close to M,
| bosom, prepared to carry her.
"Now, Johnnie" said, ''you keep hole
of the skirt of my coat, and we will soon b,
at High Farm"
The cold seemed to have become NOR
intense, the falling snow more dense thar
ever. Manfully the little fellow kept VI
to my side, though the snow by this tim
reached up to his knees. i tried to chee
him as We trudged along, but l felt th
drag upon my coat becoming greater, anC
it was evident his strength and heart wer
falling him-then suppressed sob brok
from him, and clung more closely to me a
| bent dowr, trying to soothc and comfor
him. -...
"You are a brave little man." l said, "w
will soon reach the farm. Think of tn
bright fire there, the nice warm milk AM
bread, and mothers loving kiss, all waiting
for you"
81 cannot walk further" he sobbed "Of
take Nelly home, but let me lie down her,
will say my prayers again, and perhap
,, Jesus will send some one else to help me-"
mo, no" answered cheerily, II can nc
leave you behind, Johnnie; you must max
horse Of me, and mount my back. Ther
you are now, hold me fast around the necl
!, and whip hard to make me go better" An
again l started forward, endeayoring to kee
, him awake with questions and sallies but
felt the additional burden in such a storm
was becoming beyond my already exhauste
strength, when suddenly wavering spec
of light shot out of the darkness, then val
, ished, then appeared once more, becomin
nearer and brighter. | hallooed loudly, an
) my shout was answered, and Johnnie calle
out in faint, and glad voice, "Oh, that
father !" And happily so it was; the poo
father becoming alarmed at the lengthene
5 absence of his children, had started with b
: two men and lantern in search of then
4 and great tears of thankfulness fell from h
a eyes when he beheld his loved ones. Joh
G ME was at once taken into his loving arm
e and quarter of an hours walk brought
to the farm, where the anxious mother r
ceived us. Nelly was soon aroused 10y t!
D warmth and light of the great fire, little
), noue the worse for the nights adventuT
y but poor Johnnie was badly frost bitten, al
it was long before he recovered.
i Deep was the gratitude of the hone
J, couple for the aid had afforded their l
It loved children, who, doubtless overpower'
o with sleep, would have been hidden in &
g snow ere their father had reached them, al
must inevitably have perished, but for &
q prayer which ~Johnnie's trusting, simp
q heart had prompted, and had been Z
means, with Gods blessing, OF my savil
=. them.
II The Jockey Erenctman.
:, A Frencbman in this country, who W
q little acquainted with horse jockies or hoI
y flesh, was grieyously taken in by cheat,