Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-04
What the Storm Brought.
BY JAMES L. BOWEN.

II was the Gay before Christmas, not manv
years ago. since morning the snow had been
steadily falling, and now the hitherto bare and
frozen earth was wrapped in a pale mantle. and
the driving flakes swept before the face OF ma
tnre like bridal ven. Highway and field,
wood, meadow and buildings, all seemed to
have lost their distinctive features As even
ing came on the wind seemed to awaken, so
that now and then little gust caught up the
AIR a. though in sport. 1t was growing colder,
too, and the snow was losing its fleecy appear
anee, as the fakes became harder and more
yengeful.
Ralph Somerville stood beside his sittiur-roon
window and looked out upon the gathering
gloom for some minutes. He noticed the win.
dows as they shook, and felt the cold air press
ing IN between the well-ttting easements. But
twas warn aud cheerful within, and he turned
toward the coy wood FIRE with q careless excla-
nation.
"There'n not be much walking for pleasure
tonight, Sue"
ItWas his wife TO whom he spoke, and she in
stinctrvely shoddered as she returned: % I'm
sorry you must 90 TO the village, tonight i
didn't"
The bright boy of four summers, who WAS
busy with a primer ne ar his parents look id o.
but his countenance fell at the mothers words.
OF course he would" the father replied
Such little fellows know but two holidays dur
ing the year, and he has been looking for santa
Claus ever since the Fourth Of july. But
shall be back early; the little boy must be in
bed and asleep, and in the morning We shall
see!'
TIE last portion OF tbs sentence was delivered
to johnnie, whose face frightened at the words,
and who exclaimed in childish anticipation;
Elf I'm good boy, papa. don't you think Santa
Clans will bring me something nics?"
"Yes, of course he will, little boy. So you
must sleep heartily and wake up early"
Hall an hour later Mr. Somerviiie drew on
his overcoat. and took his hat, while Susan
wound scarf very carefully about his neck.
Then ii wing him a fond parting Kiss she said
"Dont be out late, dear, for it is 50 very blast-
ering shall feel anxious about you"
"Hs, ha," the husband laughed for he iustly
prided himself not q little upon his fine and
WelEtoned muscular development. 81 should
think you would feel afraid Of my blowing
away, I'm SO feeble and helpless. But then,s
he added, q moment later, in a changed tone
know IL Is q most unpleasant nixht, and
you'll be Lonesome here alone. III come ba,k
early on year account. 1 wouldn't 60 down to-
night, but Johnnie has set his heart on some-
thing for Christmas, and he wouldn't feel con-
tent"
" 1t will please him. the wife returned; AMI
then, as rercer gust OF wind caused the house
to cresk, even in its strength, she pressed her
husband closely to her heart for a moment, a.
though to shelter him from all earthly storms
and troubles. Then the door opened ana
closed, and in moment Raiph's footballs had
mingled with and died away in the storm.
Johnnie was put in his little bed, the few
preparations which forethousht suggested for
the morning meal were made, and then Susan
With late magazine, sat down TO pass the hour
OF two which she expected would uanspire be-
Ralph Somerville was q young farmer, who
by hard labor and prudence had already Sc
unpleasant encumbrances, where he lived very
happily with his fond wife aud promising little
boy. Their home was about'a mile from the
village OF F-.,somewhere In New England.
and Il was to this village that Ralph had now
gone, TO procure some household stores, and
also such articles Tor the morning rs might de-
light the little boy, and rejoice the loving heart
OF the wife and mother. Ralph was In most re-
epects an exemplary young man. He worked
well and faithfully, cultivated his mind in
leisure moments, loved aud honored his wife,
dotted upon his boy, aud was kind to all with
whom he came in contact. These admirable
traits or character made him many friends, and
this very friendship sometimes made him
trouble. He was ardently social, could tell a
good story and laugh 81 q joke with ali the zest
OF the best, and as o consequence his society was
sought. Sometimes when among his a ssoclates
Ralph drank too freely OF that cup which cheers
and does inebriate. Like every truc-heartei
man, he was always ashamed and sorry when
the mischief was done, and made many resol YES
how these resolutions had way OF being for
gotten, end he would get into trouble nom two
to half Q dozen times in the year.
Merry chIist%s.S that he took dfins oe alts
some good fellows whom he encountered, and
then another, 'just 70 keep out the cold, and
those who know the e. story Of strong drink
The young wife replenished the fire ~ it
burned low, and then gave renewed attention
To the magazine, I'LL sno ma exhausted every
article which she cared to read. Then she
placed 10 carefullv aside for Ralph, just IS the
clock struck 2. She wondered that her husband
had not already returned, for the storm had in
creased steadily In fury till the wind now blew
gale, and made the strong timbers Of the
house sway. She looked out into the darkness
with . little feeling OF anxiety, for she loved her
husband, and could not bear 20 think that he
should be exposed to the fury Of the elemental
var. Then she reflected that probably he had
net many friends, and no doubt they dreaded
subs.de-
So she waited an hour, but stiil no signs OF the
absent one. She began to feel really uneasy
now. He seldom was absent from home st o.
late an hour, unless-and she gave . great start
Of horror a. she thought what might be- The
minutes passed very slowly nov for che grew
every moment more anxious. Painfully she sat
and listened, rising very often % peer from the
window. though she could see nothing through
the vkirling snow and darkness.
IL vas aiynoss II. Her usually happy face had
became pale from anxiety, and her heart beai
win great, irregular thumps. But ct that NO