The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-14

,fa for baby, the flakes dashng in her face
with force that almost took her breath, and
the wind rocking her as though she were
reed.
she was..so cold she could not stand thi:
much longer. She would soon drop. She
would be frozen to death, she knew; bu
even as she thought this, she pushed on
She must be near the gate; she tried to SCI
it, but there might as well have been wal
before her.
The wind swept by in fearful gust tina
rocked her back and forth, although she wa
walled up, as it were, ON each side. VIVA
was that it had appeared just in her path
The roof of the dog kennel? Yes, it was ant
she was then inside the yard, only about thlr
ty feet from the shed. She put her hands
straight out before her, and with all hel
strength, made her way forward. Would sht
never get there! She could not stand Il
much longer. Just then, her outstretchee
hands came with singing force against the
shed. She gave a cry of joy; staggered
along, feeling for the opening; 1ound IT,
and for second, stood there gasplng.
Even in that instant it seemed as though
she would be covered up, The storm shrek
ed and howled like an army of demons.
She never could tell how she reached the
kitchen door, and got within. All she dit
know was that she was aroused by jamie.
crying; that she found herself upon the kitch
en- floor beside mass Of snow; her milk safe
and that it was quite dark.
She was not conscious that she, a girl O
thirteen, had accomplished feat that nigh
which many strong, brave men had lost thei
lives in attempting-the feat of going dozeI
yards in that storm.
She was very weak, and her limbs ached
and she could not drag herself to the stove tf
renew the file, now low. jamie put in fuel
while she shivered and trembled. 1t seemed
as though her blood had frozen in her veins
The baby was crying. She attempted to gel
up, but fell back, and burst into tears. Fright
ened at her appearance and manner, Jamie
began to sob, and this aroused her.
''Get the baby's bottle, Jamie, and warm
her some milk"
jamie wiped his eyes, and did as she too
him.
jamie fed the baby, and she sat by the
stove, leaning over it. The children mus
have their supper; but she felt herself totally
unable to drag herself about. She remember
ed some highly spiced blackberry cordial hel
mother had made and kept for sickness. JAM
lie got her some. She drank almost tea-cup-
full, then dragged herself to the settee and
laid down. She fell asleep, and was only
awakened by Wills ,ugging at ner dress.
"Beckle Beckie want some supper; and
it so dark!'
She got up so much revived, that she hast
ened to get light, put the tea-sette on, and
set the table. When she tried to draw in the
shutters she could not move them; the snow
was banked up against the windows, and fell
on the floor, 1t was with difficulty she could
close the window again.
Beckie was so very anxious that she could
not eat any supper. Will had a good ape.
tite; but Jamie complained of a headache,
and said he did not want any. Beckie per
suaded him to come to the table and drink
cup Of tea. She took the baby up, and sa
there feeding it until they were done; ther
she laid it in its cradle, Tor it had gone tx
sleep.
After getting coal and wood for the night
from the shed, - and there was not muel
there,-she went up stairs to see if there wa:
any fire. She slept up there with the baby
and the boys bed was down in their father
room. Turning the damper in the stove, the
room was soon warm. She told the boys tt
go into one of the beds in her room, heard
Will say his prayers, undressed the baby, anG
went to bed herself
Wearied with the days exertions, she SLEPT
soundly. 1t was later than usual, and in.
tensely cold, when she got up next morning.
Her first glance out of the window showed
that they were buried in the snow. As far as
the eye could reach there was trackless
waste Of white, unbroken by single object.
The barn appeared to be half buried, the
coal-Shed was not TO be seen; but the storm
had abated. Her first thought was of father
and Jack. Had they reached H in safe
ty? Her next thought, as she proceeded to
make the fire was, what should they do for
fuel? There was only that little pile in the
kitchen.
She went down stairs, Every window
was blocked up. She made fire to get the
breakfast, and then opened the door. A sheet
of white faced her. She closed it quickly,
fearing the snow would fall in npon her; and
utterly appalled,, sat down and cried. What
were they to do? No one could get to them.
They had no more than enough fuel to last
during the day.
Presently she dried her tears, and sat for
few moments thinking. Then she got up
lighted lamp and went about preparing
breakfast, drawing the table as close to.the
stove as possible.
When she went mp stairs tho ohildron wore
awake. Jane fretted, and complained of his
head and his throat; he coughed, and had
fever. She told him to lay still and she
would bring him some coffee; and she and
Will went down to their meal.
She had determined what to do; and, after
soothing Jamie, and telling him to lie still and
Try to sleep, she gave Will picture book to
amuse him, anb began her preparations
She must move up stairs and keep but one
ire. Besides the small quantity of coal, there
was but very little oil. All was darkness
down stairs. The wind seemed to have
blown the snow before it across the prairie,
and walled them in.
She carried a bench up stairs, and set it in
the hall. and on this she put her dishes and
eatibles; took the baby's cradle and crock of
milk up (how glad she was she had the milk y
moved stand and trunk out of the room.
and put table in their place.
It was dreadfully dreary day; and she was
glad when the time came to get dinner. The
difficulties of cooking on the little chamber
stove occupied her; and Will was immensely
at the small table off which they had
to eat. There was noise at the door, and
when they opened it Rover the dog, walked
in. Hee had been left down stairs and for
gotten. Will fed him, and he stretched him
self beside the stove, wagging his tail when
ever they spoke to him.
Jamie would eat nothing,-he was ILL.,
Beckie saw that, but she did not know what
to give him. The baby and he occupied her
attention all the afternoon. She got supper
ready early and put Will to bed. She was
very much alarmed about Jamie, and frigh-
when she saw how little coal there was left
not more than enough to make fire ir. the
morning. What should she do? Tb,ev mnst
nave fire. She went nto the cellar and
Knocked couple of barrels to pieces. and
carried the slaves up stair,
She slept little, for jamie tossed and threw
his arms over his head, and the cover off
him, and called Hwaterl waterp' every few
moments. Size had to keep up the fire for
ear he would get cold; and when daylight
anne, and she awoke from an uneasy sleep in
which she had fallen, there was only couple
If barrel slaves left.
She must keep the children warm, and she
'aid to herself, 81 will do it if l must burn
up all the furniture in the house."
Dressing herself warmly, she again visited
The cellar. There was an old barrel in the
corner she had overlooked; on removing
'ome bits of iron from it, she found about a
)ushel OF coal. She carried this up stairs.
md with the slaves of the barrel, soon had
fright, warm fire. and good breakfast set
ut for Will and herself. jamie was so ill he
lid not notice anything; and the baby, who
vas always good, slept. From the window
vas to be seen only the same dreary waste of
snow.
All her energies this day were taxed to
eep the fire going. She dressed Will and
he baby warmly as possible, and collected
nd burnt every available small article in the
louse The potato masher, the wash-board,
he tubs, the shelves in the cellar and the
'Itchen, the steps leading to the cellar, the