The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-10
Under the Snow.
BY CANINE. "

BY ANNIE.
1t was almost dusk, and a solitary team
slowly wended its way up and down the
hills of the lonely mountain road, a read
rarely Travelled at beet, but now almost un-
used The early SHOWS had been filling the
fences, 80 that hardly rail was visible, and
it was but slowly that the jaded horse toll
ed on, even when urged by the combined
persuasion of the stout whip and vocifer-
Gus tongue of the driver. A cutting north
wind, which was almost freezing, and few
feathery flakes gave indications that an
other foot of snow might be expected, for
rarely do our Vermont winters disappoint
us of our six feet of covering for Mother
Earth. Soon the traveller neared the base
of an almost perpendicular cliff whose high
pointed top gave it the name of the "Peak," I"
for none of the neghboring hills were of
the same shape.
Near the southern base of the peak, built
snugly, as if for protection from all harm.
stood James Bryans' small cottage and it
was with glad neigh that Kitty, the horse
caught the bright light in the window. Be-
fore we quite reach the door, let me beg
you to excuse me from trying to initiate the
rich brogue the good people were so well
versed in, by your leave I'll "lave yees to
picthur it yersilf" Willie, the eldest of the
six children, manly lad of twelve, came
out to assist his father to unload the pre-
cious freight of provisions and comforts,
brought from the village five miles away.
"Give Kitty an extra quart of cats, lad" ="
said Bryan as he carried the half barrel of
-four into the house. "Ill be wanting her
again in an hour"
Tidy and smiling his wife met him at the
door. you're not bit late, JAMIE" said
she with the moon full did not expect
you for an hour yet. And how is the mar
ket ?"
30, it is that good Mary, that your two
tubs of butter and the eggs bought me the
flour and the beef, not forgetting dress for
you and the girls. And what hurried me
home so early, wife, met Jimmy Muir
ply at the village and he bsde me bring you
down tonight, saying Cousin Kate is there
for visit, and his wife is wanting much to
see you and the long winter coming on"
"But won't Kitty be tired And the chill
dren, jamie p
"a mile and q half is soon over, and
Will and Maggie can take care of the 9TH
ers."
"But Katie; Kate will want to see her -
looking lovingly at the two-year- old baby
Kate, and smoothing back the light hair OF
the little one, and thinking how pretty he;
big blue eyes were.
"It's cold night Mary, and she's best al
home I'd not go TO. night at all but we are
sure to have more snow. You'll have to
wrap up well, and we'll away as soon as we
have had our supper
Ten-year old Maggie brought the savory
Irish stew steaming from the hearth, and
followed it with the Go me) unsavory meal
pudding. / know they relished it exceed
ingly, and poor souls, l am quite willing
they should. Perhaps |, well-fed Yam
kee girl, was over-nice, but will give you
the cause of my adversion to that particular
style of pudding that you may Judge. The
first sight of Kstie's blue eyes left me be-
witched to see the little beauty again, and
as a matter of course determined to do 80.
What were couple Of miles of "cross lots
with Katie at the further end of it for a
strong child of nine? One day l made the
venture successfully, and had delightful
time, playing with that blessed baby to my
hearts content, enjoyed the novelty of a
swing in the cellar with Maggie, and feast
ed my eyes on genuine wax doll in the at
tic which, was told with great reverence,
"came over in the big ship from dear old
Ireland" l went to the little barn to see
the famous great hens that so often lald
"double-yoked" eggs, and was made gener-
ally familiar with the premises. Then
was invited to partake of their warm---i irt-
ed hospitality. Maggie impaired in whis-
per the secret beforehand, "that mother had
made splendid pudding" and SO was
prepared, after the first course of potatoes
and milk. to see brought on large platter
of pudding flanked by dish of molasses.
| was helped to generous supply of both.
Now, the blackest of "ssle" molasses was
pretty hard | thought, mentally contrasting
1t with our own clear maple syrup at home,
but vowed to endure 1t for the pudding 3
sake. Boldly l attacked the suspiciously
odored compound, courageously l swal-
lowed the first morsel. How well remem-
ber the anxious look Of concern that came
over the good woman's face as drew back!
"What is the matter child am afraid you
are sick" And / quite shared tho good
souls solicitude, for that pudding was made
of thick sour milk instead of water, with
out a particle Of "Fanny Ferns" abomina-
tion, saleratus, tor redeeming feature.
Poor little Mrs. Bryan's cap trill fairly flut-
tered with CONSERVATION when repeatedly
refused more of her favorite dish. What a
depression | have made / really didn't in
tend it, neither did 1 intend new recipe
for the farmer; only fell to thinking, and
as that little household is long ago scatter
ed, think there is no danger of their find
ing out why l didn't eat my dinner that
day. wouldn't have had my little hostess
suspect the reason for the world.
While the purchases are being examined
and the hasty preparations made for the
cold drive, let us just glance at the COM
Portable room and its inmates. Not a sickly
child among them all. Is there magic in
their different fare, or is 1t all In blood,
that habitually gives TO the Irish child
roster cheeks and stronger constitutions
than to their American schoolmates? Let
me linger little TO admire the late chrisan-
themum now just in bloom in the window,
and to tell you about the good little mother
as remember her, for am In no haste to
depart to the dreadful tragedy grimly wait
ing outside. l think / may safely say,
never saw face more indicative of cheer
full good-nature and honesty than the genial
face Of Mary Bryan. What priceless
treasure to her little family she was One
dread she must have had In her heart, for
people knew that, though usually a steady
and industrious man, har husband was fond
of strong drink. think that for his fam
ily's sake and to keep from temptation, he
rarely brought the poison home. BE that
as 1t may he had not the courage to refuse
a glass from the hand of a friend, think
II would have been impossible for the meek
little woman to have become scold under
any circumstances, and not symptoms de-
veloped under this trial. She only thought,
"What II he was drunkard like John
Murphy" and remembering her lover hus-
band of other years, thought Of him ten
Il