Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-08
Tales and Sketehes.
From Chambers Edinburg Journal
HOMELY HEROINE.
CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.I


The ordinary route along Glen Dyne
was to climb the steep hill which rose be-
hind Dyne foot, and then to keep a foot
path which wound along the top Of the glen
for about mile. There was no fence or
protection whatever; and there were sew
eral sad stories told of people who had
missed their footing, or. in the darkness,
had wandered too near the edge, and so
had come to violent end. Just two win
ters before this, an unfortunate man had
perished not far from the mouth of the glen.
tie was pack-man. with donkey, who
was well known at all the farm houses,
and was. in his way, a well-to-do-man with
well-sorted pack, the contents of which
ranged from ribbons and jewelry to note
paper, hair pins and stay laces. In fact,
it was designed to supply all the little
wants OF female population, who were
seldom able to indulge in the luxury of
going shopping. Tom Carson, the pack
man, was, therefore, a great fayerite, and
not only because of his wares but because
he was CHEEKY, pleasant fellow and
kirstie remembered we'll what consterna-
ton was caused in the kitchen at Auchen-
sack when rumor arose that Tom Carson
had disappeared; and it was thought that
some one must have made away with him
for the sake of his pack, which as It was
New Years time, was unusually heavy
1t was only conjecture, however. for moth
ing could be heard of him; but when at
last the snow, which lay that winter for
several weeks, had melted, the mystery
was solved, and poor Tom Carson, with
his donkey and his pack, were found at
the bottom OF Glen Dyne. It was sup
posed that he had been coming to Auchen-
sack, where he was great favorite-that
he had been overtaken by the storm-that
the donkey had lost its footing, and in his
efforts to save the animal, he had perished
along with it. 1t was sad story, and
cast deeper shade of gloom over Glen
Dyne. which indeed bore no good name
already. As kirstie toiled up the hill, it
all came back appallingly afresh to her
memory.
About half way up the steep, precipi-
tous side Of the glen there ran a very mar
row. insecure toot-path called the ..Tod's
Path, owing to fox-burrow up near the
head of the glen. Few persons ever ven-
tured alone in it, except the game-keepers
and the shepherds, and even they did not
care to try it except in broad daylight.
At the point where this path turned out
from the face of the hill, "Laddie" began
again to Jump upon his mistress, then run
ming few steps along the path and COM
ing back, he wagged his tail and looked
up at her with beseeching eyes. saying as
plainly as u dog could say. in his mute but
expressive language: Come this way"
kirstie did not hesitate to follow. bad
though the way was. for it led she was
sure, to her husband; and besides, as
In oh shn haI 1ftn L..
father before she knew what fear was, and
therefore knew every turn and bend in the
path. Toiling up the wild solitude, her
feelings overcame her, and unconseiously
forced from her lips the cry: "Oh, Archie,
Archie. my man, where are We ?'
Just at this point little runlet Of water
itself across the path in q solid sheet of
ice. kirstie hestated, but there was no
other way it was life or death, and she
must hasten on; so she did cross, but her
foot slipped aud she narrowly escaped
falling The snowlnow began to fall more
quickly and in large flakes, and she had
to trust more to memory for the path than
actual sight. On and on she went, how
ever. till she had gone nearly mile up
the glen, when suddenly ''Laddie" gave a
short, joyful bark and she saw a dark OBJ
iect stretched across the path 1t was in
deed Archie; he was leaning against
large stone which seemed to have broken
his fall; his halr was powdered with snow
his face was white and rigid, and his lips
were lvid Kirstie never doubted but that
he was dead. and threw herself on the
ground beside him. with cry of agony;
when suddenly his eyes opened--a con-
scious look came into his face, and he said
in faint, low tones: us that you, kirstie !.
| thoot | was gaun to dee alane, and never
see We mair"
''Oh, wheest, wheest, Archie, wheest.' =
she walled; ven break my heart; dinna
speak that way"
He continued. after moments pause
| slipped at the edge O. the brea, and /
maun haze dwamed,t for walked as cauld
as stane. wi Laddie licking my face !; SO
sent him hame, por beast. No help could
do me euid now. Kirstie," he said, as in
answer to the thoughts which were pass.
ing through her mind at the moment.
my leg is broken and I've hurt my side,
and with the darkness and the storm,
there's nobody fit to help me, gin they
We're here; and it be hours before ony-
body could come. o, kirstie, woman, l
| luduu ledNc ye anu TIC wee DdltuS, he
added with choking sob.
krstie did not answer for a moment !;
and then her face was lighted up with
look of high resolve. and she said ..Mony
time, Archie, have wondered why the
Lord gied me great strength and my lang
arms, but see it now and if it be His
will, will save you this nichtn
"le're no fit to carry me-" Archie re-
monstrated teebly; land think what
road, kirstie.";
ado no ken the road better than ony
herd in the countrye" she replied; s'and
we maun ask for help higher than man s.
As she knelt beside her husband, with
the snow falling upon her upturned face,
and the wild wind whistling round, and in
a few and simple words as if she were
speaking to the near and loving friend,
asking the aid of the Almighty arm To
guide her perilous way, and keep her fee,
from falling. Archie Brydone. even in
the midst OF all his pain and weakness.
felt that he had never before truly known
his wife. She then lifted Archie, as gent
ly and tenderly as she could but he gave
\ deep groan, and she found that he had