Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-29
NO. 1912.
Tales and Skftfhes.
A NIGHT IN THE BACKWOODS.

| 4 cold Canadian winter. Snow and
slush dripping caves and gables of our
rude og-house bitter February day near
its close; the cold intense: all around out
side. the picture of desolation tall trees,
gaunt and leafless uprearing skeleton arms
to the murky sky. A thaw has set in, and
at every step you take out of doors you
sink ankle deep in the soft snow. Indoors
is dreary; the cold air is forced through
many a chink.
Upon that night, my fingers were be.
numned, toes aching painfully. and feel
ing of depression seized me such as had
never felt before. Save for my baby, /
was alone. My little child, indeed, gave
me employment for hands and mind it
had been ailing, and its pretty face looked
pinched and wan, with a hectic flush on it.
and its little hands were hot and feverish
| had been frightened about it all day, as
it lay moaning in my arms; but now, as
sleep closed its eyes-a troubled sleep at
first, but gradually deepening aud grow
ing tranqul-my mind relieved about it
began to revert to my own loneliness.
With heavy heart, looked round the
articles were of the commonest kind; at
the partition of rough boards which divid-
ed the hut in compartments; at the fire
which had burned down, and was a heap
of white ashes. Replenishing this last,
and tanning it into flame, gave me fresh
occupation. 1t was not easy to make the
damp, green logs catch fire. And at last,
weary with the effort, cold and nervous,
| burst into a tit of impatient tears.
was indeed desolate; divided by at least
a mile from any human being. in the heart
of a forest the small portion of cleared
land round our cottage showing forth more
plainly, as it were, the density of the sur
rounding woods. My husband the day be-
fore had gone to town some miles dis
tant, to obtain a sum of money due to him
for the sale of cattle. He had left me alone
with my one female servant, solely against
his will but it was impossible to avoid GO
ing. and equally impossible to take me
and my sick baby with him. had never
been without him for night since our
arrival in the bush, and l felt miserably
weak and nervous as night came, and
morning dawned. and day again faded in
to night, and still kept him. One comfort
was my child. My servant had been sum-
moned that morning to go to her father,
who lay dangerously i'll some distance off;
and though missed her much, there was
nothing for it but resignation And now
i
fear should have to spend the night alone
with my baby Before the fire, now be-
ginning TO burn duly sat on the ground
The shade of the evening fell fast, and
| thick haze was dimming the small panes
thus on the cheeress hearth listen
ing to the soft breathing from the cradle
where nestled my treasure. my thoughts
| han nexuo r6
my heart was too oppressed to look for
wald. As far as human companionship
went, was, but for my baby, alone; but
had one faithful friend with me-a dog,
a rough-haired Irish terrier. We had had
him some time. and the faithful creature
seemed to us TO have more than canine
sagaciy. Now, as | sat brooding, he
| placed one paw on my lap; then his cold
nose rested on my folded hands Poor
Ter | said aloud and the sound of my
own voice, breaking the stiffness, made
me start-'poor fellow then stroking
his rough coat, relapsed into thought.
Far away from the dark Canadian forest
far away, indeed, my memory carried
me. | saw rise before me rose-embow-
cred cottage, its windows opening on
sloping lawn, at the toot of which ran
rpplng river; Il pretty lawn studded with
trees, an orchard close by, bright with
blossom, giving promise OF golden and
russell fruit, the sweet scent filling the air;
underneath a spreading elm. a rustic seat
and Il girl resting thereon. From an open
French window issues forth a gentleman,
old and grayhaired, but erect and stately
still--the village DOCTOR my father. In
that house was born; by that riverside
passed my youth underneath that spread
ing elm dreamed | my foolish romantic
dreams-buit my castles in the air I'm
der that dear fathers loving care l was
simply, calmly happy; no sorrow came
near me. Alas. he died-died in the dis
charge of his duty, and | was left alone to
commence the struggle of life. The spec
alaton in which my fathers whole savings
were embarked proved failure and all
was lost. Determined to be up and doing,
became companion to a lady, but daily
found the life grow more distasteful. But
Just when hope seemed dead within me,
my life was suddenly frightened by the
possession of the love of my brave and
faithful Jack
We were married. Things did not 90
on quite well in worldly matters, and we
had trials; but we We're SO much to each
other, and Jack was so strong and brave.
that they were not very difficult to bear.
At last came day when he determined to
emigrate, and we came to Canada. He
had good knowledge of farming, and
thought he would get on. So with the
little money he had lie purchased this
place. and was now trying to get living
out of it. lie had hard work enough. We
were poor, and could not get proper help
to clear the land, and Jack had to depend
great deal on his own strong arms and
clear head. But, thank God, neither failed
him. He never gave up hope; when
things looked their worst, he was ever
calmly braves his strong heart never gave
way. He used sometimes to say words OF
seli-reproach for. having married and
brought me to face such a hard struggle.
My dear Jack, he need not have so spoken
or thought. cared for nothing in the life
he had rescued me from. regretted
sometimes l was not stronger-a more
useful helpmate for him. But was only
too glad to rough it with him, and strong