Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-06-24
Mis cELLkN E0us,
YOUNG HERO AND HIS RE-
WARD.

.Gg Shi hiAiII, TouSh mouse, lar from any
ssss' other human habitation. hid itself. the
balmy summer through amid the surround
ing foliagc but the cruel wintrv blasts. tear
ing away its leafy coverings, left in desolate
nakedness, in full view of the railway trains
which several times daily, sped noisiiv bv on
their way east and west. The quick eye of
many traveller noted the column of smoke
curling upward from the chimney.
Here widowed mother and her son found
an humble shelter. But three short wears be-
fore they were living comfortably in the near
est village. The sudden death of the hus-
band and father, combined with series of
lesser misfortunes caused them to exchange
their pretty home for this, which thew OBJ
tained at trifiing cost from its first proprie-
tor.
And there they had lived ever since-how,
their old friends and neighbors scarcely knew.
lrue, James, the son, went to and from the
village, laden with numerous packages. His
herbs, nicely picked and carefully assorted
were always acceptable at the country stores:
and the bundles cf bright wools he carried
home, when returned, woven into inapy at
tract,ve iorms by the nimble fingers of the
Invalid mother. invariably found ready and
eager purchasers.
Many time, as james turned his back on
the cherry village, the intense longing of
childhood for companionship and amusement
stole over him, and an inexpressible feeling
OF loneliness caused his throat to swell with
emotions which only the remembrance of the
watching, waning mother could ouell.
One sharp wintry afternoon, when the
quicksilver with downward tendency denoted
that it was to be colder still, .Our Hero''-
Tor such he will prove to he-jumped into his
little rough wagon, and turned pony Shap's
do
CHEEKY glow of household fires. Never had
his heart been happier or lighter than now.
For twas his own at last. the book he wanted
so long, and for which one hard earned penny
after another had been SO cheerfully boarded
Now that be had the coveted treasure in his
possession, it seemed doubly precious. As
Shag OF his own accord turned to the rioht
he raised it to his lips and kissed II rantur.
ously, Immediately gTancng around to sec if
any one was looking at him.
The short, wintry day was near its close
and the bleak hllsdes, unkissed hy the sun,
crowned here and there with leafless trees
made dreary indeed the almost trackless
country road. The iron track of the railroad.
running parallel with the wagon track, gave
no token of the locomotives approach. The
pony and his master were the only living crea-
lures visible. The boy smiled joyfully. and.
loosening his grasp of the lines, opened the
book, and in the almost twilight began
eagerly to read the pages. Undenably it was
the npping cold that gave to the end of his
nose rosy hue, but it was not that alone
which sent the vivid color flying all over his
face. What if Shsg, left to himself, did take
the wheels over every stone, and bump him
around considerable. He, as he read seemed
to be in the land of the Saracens. in the
midst of the Crusaders, side by side with
Richard Ceur de Lion" All about him was
the din and turmoil of battle glttering ar
NOR flashed in the sunlight; horses and ,oen
were falling together; but everywhere, stately,
proud aud victorious, went the black horse
and his rider. "Hurrah! Hurrahl Hurrab!'7
escaped involuntarily from the boysh lips
s'Whinny Whinuy! Whinny r' responded
Shag, approaching the curve, rounding which
they would obtain first glimpse of home. We.
half mile distant.
Reluctantly James closed his book and
caught up the lines, for now deep ravine
bordered the way, and mother had begged
him always to be barefuL The curve of the
road, rounding with the track, was safely
passed. when James eye rested on some,hino
that sent the blood sureing through his heart
A huge tree had fallen from the bank
above, directly across the track. The strength
of many men would be required to lift il from
lodging place. and with a sckening tremor
it flashed across his mind that the eastern ex.
press, passing through the village he had Just
lett, was even now due, aud might any mo-
mens round the curve proudly. And then
James saw, as once he had in dream. the
locomotive and cars whistling over and over.
and away down at the bottom of the ravine
the faces OF wounded aud dying. Even with
this vision before him he was carefully turn
ing Shag about. Yet what could he do. IF
he only had a lantern he might swing it
about his head, and thus warn the engineer.
But, he hadn't one, nor anything to make
light with. Yet he had solitary match
t picked carefully up from the floor of the store.
his book-his precious book-and the pine
wagon box,
i In an instant his plans were laid, shsg was