The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-04-14
FOUND In THE SNOW.

FOUND In THE SNOW.
"Halloo This won't do. Move
on" The speaker was gigantic police
man. The object of his wrath was boy
who nat on low stoop, with his face
buried in his hands as if crying.
1t was night and showing fast. A bit
ter, bitter night, in which one would
not wish even ones enemy to be home
less and shelterless. The boy did not
stir.
Halloo, l say!" cried the police
man, angrily, advancing nearer. "No
shamming, young 'un. Get up, and
move on.
But as the lad, even yet, did not rise,
the policeman stopped down and shook
him. AS he did this the boy fell over,
senseless, in the snow.
"Great God 7" cried the policeman.
"He's dead. Frozen to death, too
perhaps starved. Poor little fellow An
orphan, no doubt. Well, / must take
him to the station, suppose.
But as he lifted the body, which he
did tenderly-for he had children of his
own at home, the seemingly inanimate
form stirred.
tainted" said the officer, "but not
dead yet. If the station house only
wasn't so far off. All maybe they'll
take him in here"
AS he spoke, close carriage had
dashed up to the next house, footman
sprang from the box, the coach door was
flung open, and an old man, wrapped in
fur cloak, stepped out and took the
servants arm, to be helped up the high
stoop. Seeing the policeman, however,
with the boy in his arms, he stopped alb
ruptly.
"What! what I" he cried. ga young
tramp-a beggar Not dead"
"No, not dead yet, Mr.. Ascot" said
the policeman, respectfully, as he recog-
nized the speaker, well known as the
wealthiest and most influential house
holder on his beat, "but I'm afraid will
be before reach the station. And he
doesn't seem to be common sort of
beggar boy"
"Not the common sort, eh9 Neither
is he," said Mr.. Ascot, as he looked at
the boys clothes. "Have him in here
have him in here. John, ring the
bell; why the deuce do you stand there
gaping-don't you see the boys dying
from cold and hunger 1 can walk up
the steps well enough alone2"
A moment more and Mr.. Ascot him
self led the way into a warm, spacious
drawing room.
"There's roaring fire ready" he
said. az always have one waiting for
me when come home from dining out.
Where's the housekeeper2 Didn't I
tell John to bring her at onceY All |
here Mrs. Somers comes. Something
to revive him, quick Good heavens |
If he should die after all.
"Poor little dear /" said Mrs, Somers,
hs she poured a restorative down his
throat "There, Jane, give me the
blankets while l wrap him up. All ! he's
coming TO-"
The boy opened his eyes, looked in a
far-off way at Mrs. Somers, and then
glanced, dreamily, about the room. Ev-
identity his senses had not yet quite come
back.
"Mother, mother" he murmured.
81 can't find grandfsther-and it's so
cold. I'm So"
His head dropped ON her shoulder and
his eyes closed again. One of his hands,
which up to this time had been tightly
shut, opened weakly, and note fell to
the floor.
Mrs. Somers did not see the note.
Something in the boys look had startled
her. She gave quick glance up at her
master then she began to tremble all
over. Mr.. Ascot, who had been stand
ing by her full of interested anxiety, did
not observe this look, for his attention
had been attracted by the note, which he
now stopped to pick up. Then he pro.
ceeded to take out his glasses in order
to read the superscription.
Perhaps tins may throw some light
on the matter" he said. "The poor
lad has been sent out on an errand and
has tainted from cold, and perhaps hun.
ger. What what Good God |" His
hands were shaking like leaves in an au.
tumn wind. In the deep stiffness the
paper ratified with startled noise. "Ii
can't bet can't bel Mrs. Somers,
your eyes are younger than mine
read, read; is that address-is it-mine-
Thornton Ascot2"
As he spoke in choked, convulsivt
gasps, Mrs. Somers leaned forward e
read. The motion reused the boy again
and lac opened his eyes-this time with
more of consciousness in them-and hs
fixed long, questioning, puzzled lool
ON Mr.. Ascot.
"Merciful heaven !" the latter said
staggering like one struck with palsy
eft Il her eyes--her eyes"
With these words he fell back sense
less, the half-open letter fiuttering from