Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

t you can show me which way to


20, air ?"
ayes, yes you take that road to the left,
there, and keep straight on. Grafton's a bit
beyond Cedar creek. But you'll have snow
about your ears before yon get there if you
don't hurry"
Nellie wrapt her shawl close bade her
friend a grateful farewell, and set forth on
her journey The cold was bitter, the sky
)vercast and lowering, aud a wailing wind
filed the desolate wood, through which the
road ran, with mournful music.
Nellie's little heart ached and so did her
weary limbs, but she went brayely oil. Noon
passed and the short-ived wiuter afternoon
went like dream.
"Please, sir" she asked of a teamster,
e will you tell me how far Grafton is ?"
40, not very far. Just beyond Cedar
,reek."
Nellie struggled on The snow had begun
10 fall rapidly aud it would soon be dark.
She was so tired, so cold, so hungry; and it
was Christmas Eve. Trudging on, she re
called Christmas Ewes when she had her
mother, aud binding tears fell from her eyes.
At last just as the night came down, she
reached turbid stream, spanned by arustic
bridge. 1t must be Cedar creek and Graf
on was not far.
She took heart again. but the cruel winds
ore off her hood. and sent it whirlng away
through the snow. Painting, breathless, her
lark locks tossing in the storm, she paused
1t the foot of the bridge, her limbs failing
1er aud unable to proceed
Far off, family borne on the winds, she
Ieard sweet chime of Christmas bells. All
he world was SO happy Yet she was out
II the storm, she had no friend, her strength
vas gone, she felt she must lie down and
lie. Her mothers words came back to her
1t this moment to comfort her: "The loving
Father, who cares for the young sparrows,
will care for YOU
The words gave her temporary strength.
She struggled on again, in the teeth of the
torn, and crossed the bridge. But in the
avine beyond her strength failed utterly.
nd she sank down by the wayside. She
ried to get up, but fell back Her eyes
osed. The fatal torpor, which is the mes
enger of death, clouded her brain. She
nurmured, Mother, dear mother" and lost
Consciousness.
1t was about this hour that in a luxurious
mansion, near Grafton, the door of the prin-
;ipal apartment opened and young lad
ane in.
Here's Fred, at last Oh, Fred you're
soing to Grafton for the girls 2" cried sew
raj voices, those OF his sisters
ITO be sure. told Dick to put Black
3ess to the big sleigh. Let me get my over
'oat aud I'm Off
Mrs. Goldthwaite looked up from her
ieedle-work
1t is late and so stormy Maybe you'd
,etter not CO. Fred" said his mother.
Bless your heart. mamma, don't mind
he storm and the girls can wrap up we'll"
N( Lot cd
We shall have no Christmas without Lizzie
md Belle
What do you say, papa" asked the
Mother els il quite safe"
Her husband looked up from his paper.
"Oh, yes, | think so Black Bess is sure
ooted and Freds the prince of good drivers"
Blushing with pleasure at his fathers
praise, Fred hurried out
Here's that notice again. my dear" said
Mr. Goldthwaite, addressing his wife, "to
he heirs of James Coburn. made inquiries
,bout it, and there's IA snug little fortune
waiting them if they can only be found"
81 wish they could" replied his wife,
.arne,tly. "Poor, dear Ellen, | wonder if
he is living 1t seems so strange should
ave lost all trace of her so entirely. and we
we're like dear sisters once. wish you'd
rive this matter some attention, Charles"
Il will; I'll hunt them up yet. Never
fear, my dear
Mr.. Goldthwaite returned to his paper and
MS wife to her work. But in a little while
here came shrill tinkling of sleigh-bells,
and Flora rushed in, exclaiming;
"Oh, mamma here's Fred back again.
something's the matter"
All hands hurried to the piazza. The
sleigh was at the gate. Fred leaped out,
md, taking something in his arms, hastened
through the driving snow.
"Why, its child" screamed the girls.
! found her right beyond the bridge"
Explained Fred, quite out of breath. "Black
Bess SHE'D, and the reins broke, aud |
Jumped out, and there she lay in the snow.
Mother, | hope she's not dead"
Mr.. Goldthwaite took the little, snowy
form from his son, and carried it into the
warm sitting-room.
"Lay her on the lounge, Charles and,
Flora, ring for Jane, and order hot blankets.
Poor little waif, ! wonder who she can be-.
The Christmas merriment was all hushed,
md for an hour Mrs. Goldthwaite and Jane
worked earnpstlys At last Nellie opened her
YES. The room was warm, and bright, and
luxurious. In one corner stood glitterlng
Christmas tree. She looked from one OBJ
lect to another, and sudden smile lit heI
white face.
"This is heaven," she said softly, and
IN, where is mamma ?"
Mrs. Goldthwaite bent down and kissed
her, her tears falling.
mo. dear, it is not heaven. But you are
with kind friends, who will tafe the best
care of you"
For minute the child looked troubled
Then she tried to rise.
81 must 90 on; | want to get to Grafton
md try to find Mr.. Goldthwaite'
"Why my dear, there is Mr. Godthwaite
md am his wife. Were you coming tc
see us 2"
Neles eyes widened, and her little lac,
frightened again
II am so glad. Are you Mrs. Gold
thwaite Mrs. Alice Goldthwaite ?"
/, "Yes, dear"
"Then I've letter for you. MANN;
? wrote it before she died, and I've kept i
90 long"
Nellie struggled up, aud drew forth tn
worn letter from her bosom. The lady tool
!. it eagerly, tore it open, read line or two
and then caught the child in her arms.
; "Oh Charles come here :" she cried
Read this letter She is poor Ellen CO
, buru's child. She was coming to us"
+ Mr.. Goldthwaite read the letter with
e lawyer-like precision then he held out hi
n hand to Nellie.
t "You came just in the nick of time, IN
DEAR he said genially, and have saved m
o the trouble of hunting you up. There's
fortune waiting for you, my little girl. ID
$ YOU know you are an heiress Y
Nellie made no answer. she turned TO tn
y lady, and put her arms about her neck.
l, win YOU be my second mother Z" sh
t, asked, her eyes filling. Mamma said yo
t. would and I'm so tired, and want
mother so bad "
e "lndeed, will, cried Mrs. Goldthwait
..your loving mother. You shall never
d tired or sad again, my little Nell Childre
n come here and kiss your new little sister.
The girls came willingly, but Fred, tusl
y lug to the roots of his curly hair, hurrit
out OF the room
y "Well, can't 90 to Grafton for the I
dor girls, tonight he said. But, hurra
Id for Christmas Evel"
IS llurrah for Christmas Eve chlmed
g papa, aud the happy house fairly rang.
ne Years and years after, aud II was Chris
mas Eve again. The hallowed day new
ed grows old no matter how often it returns
he US. it always brings Peace and Good VIII.
Dd The Goldthwaite home was in blaze
IN light. Papa sat in his armchair, sllv
OF threads on his brow. Mamma was bu
with the Christmas cheer.
Fred, tall, bewhiskered young tello