Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-03-17

uo OHc was surfing. wv SsOpptnX 10
speculate on this unusual aspect Of
things, Hosford showed open the door,
and seizing two of the drunken men,
he dragged them out and hurled them
into snow drift. Mike followed his
example, and tumbled out the other.
Still half asleep. they got upon their
feet, hardly realizing where they we're,
or what had befallen them.
That's what de-nominate leetle
un-see-re-mo-ne-us' said one Of them.
Miserable men = exclaimed Henry.
DO you know that Smith, Kent and
Colby are lying on the ice, frozen to
DEATH
In an instant, these drunken men
were perfectly sober. They stood star
ing at Hosford, as if petrifed with hor-
ror their eyes distended, and their
hair bristling on end.
Jerry where is Charlesr sharply
demanded Hosford, as the individual
addressed appeared in the doorway.
He went with Smith and the others
Before Jerry had the words out,
Henry was bounding away towards the
pond with all the speed he could COM
mand. AS soon as he reached the ice,
he began to follow the track with the
minutest care. 1t was no easy task to
trace the half obliterated foot marks
but he soon found where Charles had
left the others and turned square to
the right. Henry followed The feeble
trail until it became indistinguishable
amid the light, drifting snow
The others now made their appearance
and, by questioning, Henry gradually
got at the true state Of affairs, the pre-
vlous night. A thorough search for the
missing man was now instituted.
Two men were to follow down the
south side of the pond, two along the
north shore, and the remaining two
were to proceed down, nearly equi-dis-
tant from either side,-all to meet at
the east end, an outlet of the pond.
The day was consumed in fruitlcss
search; but, with the exception of q
few sled marks, in the woods, east of
the pond, no sign indicated that any
thing human had visited those solitary
wilds for many day. When the sun
cast the lengthening shadows Of the
tall pines far out on the ice. weary and
dispirited. the men abandoned the
search. and sadly turned toward the
camp.
No slesp that night-ip silence each
tion>.
Henry bitterly reproached himself
for having left his friend, exposed to
temptation. Poor Mary thought he,
how can bear to see her; what con
soling word eau | speak, to sooth the
anguish of wounded heart? Nothing,
nothing-Oh, if l had remained in
camp, all would be we'll = so the lonely,
dismal hours wore away and long be-
fore the morning star heralded the re
turn of day, they were winding their
mournful way, through the dark forest,
towards Millridge, where they arrived
lust before sunset, the same day.
Intense was the excitement in that
usually quiet village AS the news few
from tongue to tongue with almost tele-
graphic rapidity, the citizens poured
out Of their houses,---stores were left
without occupants,-allnost everybody
in the place, with fear and horror de
ricted on their features, thronged to
the square, in the center of the village,
eager to get near enough to hear the
sad story from the lips of the returned
men. The wives Of the unfortunate vic
Tins clung to the dead bodies with the
tenacity of despair. Their means and
cries were heart-rending to hear.
Henry, as soon as the team, convey
ing the dead, entered the village, jump
ed OFT and hastened to the house Of
Charles Edwards. lie met Mary on the
threshold. as she was rushing out ; she
having seen from her chamber window,
men and women running towards the
square.
% Henry, what is the matter Where,
oh, where is Charles.' cried she. her
ace white with alarm and terror Dead
he is dead see it in your face she
shrieked.
God help you-he is missing an
swered Henry, sorrowfully.
Clutching his hand so tightly, that
her fingers almost penetrated the skin,
'Tell me, tell me all-quick.' she gasp
ed.
In as lew words AS possible, Henry
stated the facts of the case.
Mary li,tened as if she were marble
statute, so white, SO immovable, the
picture of blank despair then, letting
tall her hands, she sank into Aunt Ellen's
arms, and buried her face in her bosom
sOh, let me die-Merciful Heaven.
let me die and end my suffering" she
sobbed from her bursting heart. o
Aunf Ellen why does NOT ny heart