The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-10-27

yer mothers willin', Miss Oak" said
Jem, good-naturedly; 'an' I'll take fine
care of ye"
The child sped away, never doubling
success, and before Jem drove around
to the avenue she was on the steps wait
ing for him, little embroidered sacque
covering her round arms and gypsy hat
tied over her curls.
"Take good care of her, Jem," called
lady's sweet voice from an upper win
dow, as the wagon came up and the
little girl was lifted into it.
That l will, ma am" responded Jem,
seating himself beside his young charge;
! and away they rolled down the long lane
and out into the road.
They suited each other well, these
| travelling companions: Jem so fond of
his little friend, so kindly and so talka-
! tive, with a kind of childlike simplicity
| about him that made him understand and
enter into her enjoyment; and the little
| girl, so full of dreams, fancies and ques-
tions-so ready to listen to his longest
tale, gleefully or sympathizingly, as the
case might be. On they passed along
| the country road, through the little
| cluster of houses around the mill-digni-
fed by the name of yillage"-and to
the mill beyond.
Jem's errand accomplished, the horses
head was turned homeward.
g 1t isn't such nice day now; the sun
has stopped shining" said Oak.
That's thrue for ye. It's cloudin' up
for rain, I'm thinkin'," answered her
companion, scanning the sky, and touch
ing his horse with his whip as low peal
of thunder fell upon his ear. The horse
started forward at quick pace, and bore
them swiftly away from the mill to the
village station, and on through it. But
| the summer shower came up rapidly, and
| they had left the village a short distance
behind them when the drops began to
fall.
so dear! what will we do now" ex-
claimed Oak, in dismay
We must turn back" answered Jem;
an it's soakin' we'll be, thin, before
we reaches house" Then, as turn in
the road brought them near the railroad,
he suddenly changed his plan
All! see there, thin, Miss Oak dear
an empty freight car switched off TIL
that side track Wen just climb in till
the storm is over;" and, springing out, he
lifted the child from the wagon into the
car Then leading his horse little way
down the road, that it might not be
frightened by passing trains, he fastened
it, and fastened back to the car; none
too soon, for the rain was falling heavily.
con, this is fun" said Oak, quite sat
ist1ed as long as there was no danger of
getting wet. "Hear how it rattles on
the roof, Jen."
at sounds finer to be rattlin' on the
car than rattlin' on US, thin" answered
Jem, shaking the drops from his hat.
Its good we're under cover"
A covert from the tempest" The
words came back to Oaks mind with a
quick remembrance of the picture at
home; and she began to ponder them
over in her dreamy childish way, and
fancy herself away on that desert plain,
until at last the vision grew dim and
confused, the long lashes dropped lower
and lower, and she had passed from wax
ing to sleeping dreams.
Jem smiled as he saw it.
"Poor little chicky! it's tired she is"
he said; and, rolling his coat into pillow,
he laid the bright head gently down
upon it.
The shower proved not very short
one, and, despite Jem's anxiety to be on
his homeward way, there was nothing to
do but wait. He missed the prattling of
his companion, and the sound of the
steadily falling rain grew monotonous.
He began to realize, too, that he was
tired after his forenoon work and after
noon drive, and finally, concluding to try
and rest, as he could do nothing else, he
stretched himself upon the floor, drew his
hat over his eyes, and in less than five
minutes he had followed the child's eX-
ample.
How long he had been lying there Jem
never knew. His sleep must have been
profound; and he was aroused at last by
his head receiving a violent bump.
Startled and half awake, he sat up, and,
rubbing the bruised member, tried to re-
call his scattered senses, and discover
where he was. Certainly that long, low,
rough room was not familiar, and it was
jumping and dancing about in a curious
style, too. He got upon his feet, with
much pitching and staggering, and looked
about him. 1t was nearly dark, and by
the dim light he discerned little Oak,
still sleeping peacefully. The sight of
her quickened the treacherous memory,
and brought back the events of the aft
ernoon-the drive, the storm, and the
place in which they had sought shelter
The car was going-carrying them
away he knew not where.
AS the truth forced itself upon him he
hurried to the door, and found it closed
and locked. That accounted in meas
ure for the darkness of the place, though
he fanced it must be growing dark with
out Pulling and shaking were in vain,
and he raised his voice in long, loud
shout, that was, nevertheless, lost in the
jar and noise of the Gathering train.
Only Oak heard it, and started up,
frightened, as he made his way back to
her side.
"Jem! oh Jem! where are WEI"
It's mesilf can't be tellin' we that,
dear. We're off on thrip all unbe'
knownst to ourselves -travelin' WHEREVER
the same takes us, he answered, rue
fully.
what is it? where are we going