South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-01-11
Romney, Hampshire County, West Va. january H. ISIS


then made her snug bed in a warm
corner; and she lay down. aud slept
until broad daylight.
Did you ever hear OF Mr.. Goldth.
waite. in Grafton. che asked, after she
had shared the old station masters
breakfast, and about to bid him adieu.
lie shook his head.
Dunno as ever did. l can't re-
member names, and don't 60 to Grafton
often
But yo1 can show me which way to
80 sir +
Yes, yes. you take that road TO the
islt. there. and keep straight on. Graf
tons bit beyond Cedar Creek. But
You'll have snow about your earsIbetore
you get there. if you don't hurry
Nellie wrapt her shawl close, bsde
her friend grateful farewell, and set
forth on her journey. The cold was
bitter, the sky overcast and lowering,
and waiting wind filed the desolate
wood, through which the road ran with
mournfal music.
Nelic's little heart ached. aud so did
her. weary limbs, but she went bravery
on. Noon passed. and the short lived
winter afternoon went like dream.
Please. sir she asked of teamster.
will you tell me how far. g ration is?'
oh not very far. Just beyond Ce.
dar Creek
begun to fall rapidly, and it,would soon
be dark. She was SO tired, so cold, so
hungry; and it was Christmas Eve.
Trudging on, she recalled Christmas
Ewes, when she bad her mother; and
binding tears fell from her eyes.
At last, just rs the night came down
she reached turbid stream, spanned
by rustic bridge. 1t must be Cedar
Creek, and Grafton was not far
She took heart again; but the cruel
winds tore or her hood, and sent it whit
ling away through the snow.-Panting,
brcathless, her dark locks tossing i'm the
storm, she paused at the foot of the
bridge, her limbs failing her, and una.
bic TO proceed.
Far oil, family borne Oh the winds,
she heard sweet chime of Christmas
bells. All the world was so happy.-Yct
she was out in the storm, she had no
friends. Her strength was gone, she felt
she must lie down and die. Her moth.
er's last words came back to her, at this
moment to comfort her The loving
Father. who cares for the young spar
rows, will care for YOU
The words gave her temporary strength.
She struggled on again, in the teeth of
the storm. and crossed the bridge But
IN the rayine beyond, her strength fail
ed utterly. and she sank down by the
waysidc. She tried TO get up, but fell
back. Her eyes closed. The fatal tor.
p3r which is the messenger of death.
clouded her brain; she murmured.
Mother, dear mother" and lost con-
seriousness.
1t was about this hour, that in AUX,
urious mansion, near Grafton. the door
OF the principal apartment opened, and
a young lad came in.
Here's Fred, at last Oh. Fred I!
you're going 20 Grafton for the nirls?'
cried several voices, those Of his sis
ters.
Fred came in, stamping the snow from
bis feet
TO be sure. I told Dick to put black
Bess to the big sleigh. Let me get my
oycrcoat. ald I'm Off"
Mrs. GolGtLwaite looked up from her
necdle.worll.
Tits late. AMI so stormy. Maybe
you'd better not go, Fred"
BLESS your heart. Mamma, I don't
mind tile storm aud the girls can wrap
up WELL"
"Oh Mamma let him 90" criod Flo.
2 fslVe clio a.. ~, Ttf,-s.t 49,. at
ont Lizzie AMI Belle"
What do you say, papa? asked the
mother. is it quite safe?'
Her husband looked up from his pa.
per.
oh yes I think so. Black Be,s is
sure footed. and Fred's the prince OF
COOL drivers
Flushing with pleasure, at his fathers
praise. Fred hurried out.
Here that notice again my dear
said Mr. Goldthwaite, addressing his
wife, TO the heirs Of james Coburn. I
made inquiries about il, 4 there q snug
little fortune awaiting them il they can
cuIy he found.
i wish they could. replied bis wife.
orncstly poor, dear Ellen. wonder
she - living /: seems SO strange.
should have lost all trace Of her. so en-.
tirely and we like dear sisters once.
| wish you'd give the matter some atten.
ton. Charles
1 will;I'll hurt them up yet. Never
fear, my dear
Mr.. Goldthwaite returned to bis pa
per, and his wife 20 her work. Bot i'm
"a little while. there came a slrill Gnkllng
Of sleighJells. aud Flora rushed in, OK
claiming.
oh, mama here's Fred back again.
Smcthing's Che matter
AT hands hurried 20 tho piazza. The
sleigh was at Che gate. Fred leaped
out. and taking something in his arms,
hastencd through the driving snow.
Why it's . child screamed the
girls.
i found her right beyond Che bridge
exclaimed Fred unite ont of b~aofh