Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-11-08


feel so buddy" He knew that he had
been rough to her the night before. He
wished he could remember what he
said. OF course, he never got dead
drunk, but he wished he ever could let
whisky alone.
His breakfast was just to his liking,
and his wife as cheerful as if he was the
best man in the world. He wanted to
say something pleasant to break the
awkward silence, but he did not know
how to begin. He had an uncomfort-
able feeling that he ought to beg her
pardon, but, being a man, of course he
did not condescend to that. At length
he began by saying, "You was right
peert about your breakfast this morn
ing, Nancy"
"Oh, I allowed most likely you'd
want to get off soon," she answered.
eyes, Jones wants us there ag'in'
sun-up. It's only a ffty-leg raft; Eeckon
we can get it down to Leavehworth
ag'in' the nigt train starts, and I'll get
right on, and be back to Atchison afore
day. Don't catch me foolin' away an
other day round that old fort.
"Oh, John I'm so proud she
paused abruptly, for his eyes dropped
with look of conscious shame. What
mood was he in? Would it do to speak
then? He had showed back from the
table, and there was a serious, far-away
look in his eyes, but nothing sullen or
forbiddiAg. She went around, and
dropping on her knees beside him,
slipped her arms about his neck, say
ing:
ooh, John, I wish you'd promise me
you'd never drink no more whisky"
"That's most too hard on fellow;
but I'll promise not to-not drink too
much ag'in."
"But I'm afeared that wouldn't do
no good"
"You talk like you thought I hadn't
sense enough to stop when I've got
enough, if try," he exclaimed.
you promised me that nigh onto o year
ago; but you think you'll just take one
dram, and then just one more, and afore
you know it, it's too much. If you'd
only promise now that you'd never taste
nary drop ag'in."
Still he kept his eyes steadily turned
away from hers.
"Dont you mind, now," she went
on, &C. how your mother said one time,
I reckon, Nancy, you count John a
mighty rough chap, but he's all right
at the core;' and don't you mind how
she used to pray for ysu in them old
times? Don't you mind the evening
we heard her praying down by the old
spring? If she's watching you among
the stars, how proud she'd be to hear
you promise. And, john" she con-
tlnued, dropping her voice to whisper,
"I pray, too, sometimes. I haven't
never told you, but I've been feeling
right serious here of late. I've taken
to readin' my Bible, and I've just made
up my mind to live better'n used to
and pray for you, too, and it seems like
God hears me-" And she laid her head
on his shoulder to hide her tears.
His arms slipped around her, but he
still kept his eyes turned stubbornly
away from hers. At last, laying his
face against hers, he spoke earnestly
eyes, Nancy, promise" "
Presently, starting up, he exclaimed
eff I haven't stayed till plum day.
light !"
go John come and kiss baby afore
you go, he looks so sweet. Sammy
sammy wake up, honey, and kiss
pappy."
"Bless his sleepy eyes Pappy'E
little man ! I'll bring him some candy
when come home ag'in."
All day Nancy went about with sucl
light, CHEEKY heart as she had no.
carried in her bosom for many day
singing snatches of old hymns, ant
thinking happy, hopeful thoughts O
him who, all those long hours, wa'
working his rudder against the strong
csrrent of the Missouri.
That evening the stars shone bright,
down upon her, when She knelt dowi
by the little window, and asked God'
blessings on her husband and his goot
resolutions.
But she was awakened few hour
afterwards by rush and confusion,
shower of glass and hail across he
bed; and, catching her baby in he
arms, she sprang up, frightened and be
wildered.
It was terrible storm; one long t,
be remembered by all who felt It's ter
rors. The deafening roar of the wint
and hail almost drowned the loud thun
der-claps. A binding fash of lightning
showed the trees almost bent to tn
: ground, and the house rocked to ant
fro like q cradle. She suddenly felt
new, strange feeling, as if she was fly
ing, floating, through the air. Sh
thought that she was dizzy, and caugh
hold of the bed. A terrible crash-sh
never knew how it all happened He
} baby's cries aroused her. The wind ant
; rain chilled her through. She startet
to spring up, but something held he
, down. A shock of pain darted owe
her, and putting out her hand, she fel
a great beam lying heavily across he
limbs. It seemed as though it wa
crushing her. Something struck her
: then another, and another. How the
stung Oh was her child unsheltere,
from that pitiless storm? His scream
/ grew louder. Oh she must reacl
him She could see nothing throug
t the thick darkness, but she knew tina
/ he was not far off. What if he, toe
r was fastened, crippled? She stretche
: her arms; every movement made he
pain more excruciating. She straine
, every nerve; she could almost reac
3 him. What if he was free and coul
come to her +? go Sammy Sammy!
, she called, "come to nanny"
> The child ceased crying. She hear
: him move. His warm body touche
} her hands that were cropping in th
: darkness. She caught him in her arm