The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-10-27
FOUND IN THE SNOW.
by THE AUTHOR OF "coBwEBs," ETC

by THE AUTHOR OF "COBwEBs," ETC.
"IIuLIo This won't do Move on"
The speaker was u gigantic policeman The
object of his wrath was boy, who sat on a
low stoop, with his face buried in his hands as
if crying
1t was night, and showing fast A bitter,
bitter night, in which one would not wish even
ones enemy to be homeless and shelterlcss.
The boy did not stir.
"IIillo, | say" cried the policeman, angrly
advancing nearer mo shammlng, young
'un. Get up and move on"
But rs the lad even yet did not rise, the pc.
liceman stopped down, and shook him. AS he
did this, the boy fell over, scnselcss, in the
snow
Great Cod" cried the policeman "Hc'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 ten
derly, for he had children of his own at home,
the seemingly inanimatc form stirred
Painted" said the officer, "but not dead
yet II the stationhouse only wasn't SO far OIL
All! may be they'll take him in here"
AS he spoke, a close carriage had dashed up
to the next house, footman sprang from the
box, the coachdoOr 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 abruptly
what What" he cried "A young tramp
A beggar. Not dead"
No, not dead yet, Mr. Ascot" said the po
liceman respectfully, AS he recognized the
speaker, well known as the wealthicst and most
influential householder on his beat, "but I'm
afraid will be, before | reach the station And
he does't seem to be IA common sort of beggar
boy"
Not the common sort, Ell? Neither is he.
said Mr.. Ascot, Us 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 gapilg-don't you see the boys diving
from cold and hungcry | can walk up the
steps well enough alone"
\ moment more, and Mr. Ascot himself led
the way into warm, spacious drawing.room
There's roaring lire ready" he said. 81
always have one waiting for me, when come
home from dining out, Where's the house
Keeper? Didn't | tell John TO bring her at
oncey All! here Mrs. Somers comes Some
thing 10 revive him, quick. Gracious heavens
if he should die after ALL"
Poor little dcar" said Mrs Somers, as she
poured restorative down his throat. There,
Jane, give me The blankets, while wrap him
up. All he's coming to-"
The boy opened his eyes, looked i'm a far.otI
way at Mrs. Somcrs, and then glanced, drcami.
~, about the room. Evidently his senses had
not yet quite come back.
Mother, mother" hc mumurcd. Il can't
find grandfathcr-and is 80 cold. I'm So"
His head dropped on her shoulder, and his
eyes closed again. One Of his hands which.
mp 10 this moment. had been tightly shut
opened weakly, and Il note fell to the floor
Mrs. Somcr, did not see the note Some.
thing in the boys look had startled her: She
gave quick glance up al her master; then
rho began Ia trcmblc all over
Mr.. Ascot, who had been standing by her.
full OF Interested anxiety, did not observe this
look, for his attention had been attracted by
lie note, which he now stopped to pick up.
Then he proceeded 10 take out his glasses, in
order 10 read the supcrscrip,ion.
Pcrhap, Tins may throw some light on the
matter hc said. The poor lad had been
sent out on an errand. AMI has tainted from
cold, ami perhaps hunger. What What!
GOOD Ood' his hands were shaking like n
ledf IN an autumn wind I'm the dcep stiffness
the paper ratified with "a startling noise al
cant be-it can't ie Mr. Sonlers your ewes
are younger than mine-rcad, rcad-is that ad.
dress-is ii-minc-IhOrntOn AScotyr
As he spoke, IN ChOked. cOnyulsiye gasns
Mrs. Somens leaned forward 20 read The mo
lion reused the boy again, and lac ouened his
eyes: this time with more Of consciousness m
them; and he fixed long. QUESTIONING nuz.
Zle1 look on Mr. Ascot
Merciful keaveni' the latter said sta,ger
ing like one struck with sudden palsy, n is
her eyes-her eyes"
With these words, he fell back senseless the
balfopened letter fluiiering from his fingers 70
the floor. Fortunately the policeman was in
time TO catch him, and lay him ON the sofa.