The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-02-11

' stake US away from here, do"
''But you're cold Kate"
r "No, no, no. It's only a litttl
way to your house. shall di
! herew
: "Will you go home with me
; George" Jim asked of the husband
"Anywherew gesped the poo
man.
20, my God! no fuel! no food
, Kate! Kate! Are you hurtY'
But the wife could not speak, anC
as soon as possible the fat old villag
er had the lantern in readiness anC
half dozen went to help him.
"Come" he said. Lead George
one of you. You take Kate-you
are stouter than land I'll take the
little one" This last was spoken
to stout teamster, and he took the
wife in his arms as though she had
been an infant.
"It's only few steps, said Drake
as he started to go. "Pn send your
lantern back, Mike Fingal."
And with this the party left the
bar-room. l went to the window
and saw them wading off through
the deep snow, and when they were
out of sight 1 passed away. The
host came out and began to explain
matters; but 1 was sick enough al
ready, and with an aching heart 1
left the room.
On the following morning 1 came
down to breakfast later than usual,
for I slept but little through the
night. About nine o'clock the driv-
er came in and told US the stage
would be ready'in five minutes.
went to the bar-room for a cigar.
Jim Drake had just come in to bring
back the old cloak they had wrap
ped around the child the night be-
fore.
What'n ye have this morning,
JimT l heard the landlord ask, as
he set out tumbler.
Nothing" returned the fat man,
emphatically. SIN done, Mike Fin
gal, I'm done with the stuff. III
drink no more oft. 1 wouldn't have
come now, only poor Lockland was
up, and his sweet little wife was
hanging about his neck. They were
eryin' so that couldn't stand it, and
I had to clear out. o, it's dreadful,
Mike Fipgal. You don't know what
them poor things have suffered! But
they shan't have my example any
more"
"All ready" shouted the driver;
and l was forced to leave.
The wind had all gone down; the
air was sharp and bracing, and slow
ly we wallowed away from the vii
lage.
1 reached Buffalo two days later
than l had expected to when l start
ed, and having transacted my bust
ness there, l went on to the Missis-
sippi and so on down to New Orleans.
Four years afterwards had occasion
to travel the same road again and |
in that same village to take
dinner. The bar was still open, but |
Fingal had gone away. II
walked out after dinner, and soon
came across a neatly painted office,
over the door of which I read:
"George Lockland Attorney and |
Counsellor at Law" In less than
five minntes afterwards 1 saw a fat,
good-natured man coming towards
me, whom at once recognized as
Jim Drake. AS he came up said:
"Excuse me, sir, but l wish to ask
how Mr.. Lockland is getting on
nowF'
esquire Locland, you mean" he
answered with proud look. "You
know him then?'
Il did once" said 1.
"Then you ought to know him
1ow, He is the first man in the
,ounty-the first man, sir. Four
years ago this month that is coming,
be was just about as low as a man
can be. Did ye ever know the
Seuire's wife?"
''I have seen her," l replied. /
saw Drake did not recognize me.
But you should see her now. An,
twas a great change for her. That's
their child-that little girl coming
this way. Amt that picture for
yep
1 looked and saw a bright-eyed,
sunny-haired girl of some eight sum
ners, coming laughing and tripping
along like little fairy. She stop
ped as she came to where we stood,
and put up her arms to "Uncle Drake"
Is she called the old man, and
while he was kissing her and chat
ing with her, moved on. Hooked
pack once more on that happy, beau
;eous face, just to contrast it with
he pale, frightened features I had
seen on that dismal night, in the
1ar-room.