Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-05-17

spring he had work again on large mil
which was being built in an adjoining town,
and through the warm months he was
steady at his work, though | could see that
the habit OF dram drinking was growing
upon him. When the mill was done he
was out of work again, aud again through
the long winter he was out of employment.
He sank very low-very low Summer
came again and he worked some but the
evil habit was upon him SO strong that he
became wholly its slave. One night-just
such night as this-when the wind blew,
and the driving snow filled and chilled the
air-he came home sadly intoxicated. Rum
had made your father crazy, aud he swore
because you were not in bed; and when you
began TO cry he snatchcd you from my arms,
L started forward TO grasp you from him and
he struck me blow that feled me to the
floor. How long | remained do not know.
When ! returned TO consciousness | was up
on my bed; you were upon my pillow by
my side, and some of the neighbors were
bending over me. Tue story was soon told
Our neighbors heard the cry of my child
and came in, finding me upon the floor, with
my husband bending over me, trying to re-
vive me, while the babe lay on tie hearth
Other help was called, and when it was
known that | was out of danger, Thomas
left the house. They told me. darling, that
he bent over me and kissed ne-kissed me
wice-kissed, and groaned as though in
pain and anguish, and then he went away
he went out into the storm, Ellen, out into
just such storm as this-thirteen years
ago, and have never seen him since
And you have never heard from him ?"
''Never a word, my child
Don't cry so, mother "
80, cannot help It, Alas, my precious
child, tears are my only sdlace when this
subject occupies my mind. -
But you have forgiven him.
Forgiven him how could | refrain
He kissed ire when he went away He was
broken down and lost He struck his wife,
and dared not meet her again.
Perhaps, whispered Ellen, He died
in the storm"
Il have thought it might be so, darling,
but his body was never found. Hark what
was that?"
Il heard nothing, mother
There it is again! Did you not hear
that?"
''lt is the bowling of the blast you are
frightened"
mo. no, Ellen, l am not frightened; but
i may have been deceived. 1t is very
cold -
Il would not put more wood on now,
mother. Let Us go to bed
Not yet, darling. / shall not sleep
when this storm is bowling O-it was on
just such a night as this. Hark Did you
hear that?'
Yes, replied the daughter starting to
her feet. Somebody knocked at our door.
And there it is again. Let me go
Thus speaking, Ellen took the candle and
went to the outer door; but when she open
cd 1t the furious blast swept in, bringing "a
cloud of snow and extinguishing the light
As she moved back, and brushing the snow
from her eyes, some one came into the en-
try and closed the door, thus shutting out
the storm.
Il am stranger, lady. said deep, grufT
voice; and have lost my way in the
Storm"
Come in, sir, she replied. Come in
where it is warm"
IF you can give me shelter for the night
I will repay you well I cannot go further
in this Storm he said.
Good sir, said Mrs. Anderson, moving
a chair near the fire as she spoke, you are
freely welcome My daughter will take your
coat, sir; and when you are warm you shall
have refreshments. Our pay will be iu the
knowledge that we have helped you. Are
you i'll ?"
No, no, madam, am very much IA
tigued. have had a hard battle with the
storm"
Can you tell me, he said, after he had
warmed his hands, IF a woman named An
derson lives hereabouts p
My name is Anderson, sir.
Mrs. Mary Anderson %
Yes sir
All! am [ so near the object OF my
search | have message for Mary Ander-
son. | promised, months ago, when in a
far distant land, that | would find her if
could, and that / would give her message
from
''Ffom wh6m?' asked the hostess, trem-
bling and holding her breath.
Il think. replied the stranger, again
spreading his hands out towards the fire,
THAT he was once q friend of yours,
as he has since been friend of mine.
Thomas Andersen his name was Do you
remember him2"
The woman bowed her head upon her
folded hands, and as she seemed ready to
sink, her daughter hastened to her side.
mo, no, Ellen, am strong nov. Go
and sit down. The shock is past. He
lives !"
A little while afterwards Mary Anderson
raised her head, and spoke to the stranger
again. As she had told her child the shock
had passed, and she had gained control of
herself.
fTbnmar Anderson ,yos nm b,-Lo,l