Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-17


" You're welcome. if it helps you. Good
bye and good luck to your and ran away
as fast as she had come.
The man stood motionless and watched
her till she vanished. then turned and
tramped sturdily on, muttering to him.
sell, with q suspicious gruffness in his
voice:
IF had little mate like that along
side, know my luck would turn"
A wild December night, with bitter
wind and binding snow, reigned outside
the long. rude building, lighted only by
furnace fires that went roaring up the tall
chimneys, whence poured clouds of smoke
and showers ofsparks like beacons through
the Storm. No living thing appeared in
that shadowy place except matronly
gray cat, sitting upright upon an old rug
spread over heap of sand and near one
of the fires. A newspaper and tin pail
were beside her, and she seemed to have
mounted guard, while the watchman of
the foundry went his rounds.
A door stood half open upon the shell
tered side of the building; and suddenly,
as if blown thither like a storm driven
bird, little figure came futtering in,
breathess, half frozen, and quite bewil-
dered by long struggle with the pitiess
gale. Feebly brushing away the snow
mat blinded her, the poor thing looked
about her with frightened eyes; and, see
ing no one but the cab seemed to take
courage and crept toward the fire, as if
suffering for the moment conquered fear.
"Oh! Pussy, let me warm myself one
minute. for I'm perished with The cold,'
she whispered, stretching two benumbed
hands to the blaze.
The cat opened her yellow eyes. and
evidently glad 10 meet one of her own sex,
began to purr Hospitality as she rustled
across the newspaper to greet her guest.
There was something inexpressibly COM
forting in the sound; and, reassured by it,
the girl pushed back her drenched hat,
shook her snowy garments and drew a
long breath, like one nearly spent. Yet
even while she basked in the warmth that
was salvation, her timid eyes glanced
about the great, gloomy place, and her
attitude was that of one ready to fly at a
moments warning.
Presently step sounded on flight of
stairs leading 10 some loft above. The
wanderer started like hare, and, drawing
nearer to the door, paused as if to catch a
glimpse of the approaching face before
she fled away into the storm, that howled
just then with a violence which might
well daunt stouter heart.
A tall man, in a rough coat, with griz-
zled hair and beard under an ol d fur cap,
came slowly down the steps, whistling
to bip,co1f ho
to and fro.
"An old man, and the cat is fond of
him. guess I'll dare to ask my way, or
I'll never get home" thought the girl, as
her eye scanned the newcomer with a
woman's quickness.
An involuntary rustic OF her dress
caught his ear, and, lifting the lantern, he
saw her at once; but did not speak, as if
afraid Of frightening her still more, for
her pale face and the appealing gesture of
the oustretched hand told her fear and
need better than her hurried words:
"Oh! please, I've lost my way and am
nearly frozen. Could l warm myself n
Bit and find out where amp"
"Of course you may. Why, bless your
heart, wouldn't turn a dog out such a
night as this, much less poor little soul
like you" answered the man, in a hearty
tone, that rang true on the listening ear of
the girl.
Then he hung up the lantern, put a
stool nearer the fire and beckoned her to
approach, But even the kindly words and
act failed to win the timid creature; for
she drew back as he advanced, gave a
glance at the door and said rs if conscious
ly appealing to the best instincts of the
man, whom she longed yet feared to trust
Thank you; but it's getting late and |
ought to be getting on, if knew the way.
Perhaps you've got some girls of your own
so you can understand how scared am to
be lost at night, and in such strange
place as this"
The man stared, then laughed, and,
shaking the snow from his curly hair and
beard, showed himself to be young and
pleasant looking fellow, with merry eye,
AN honest brown face and Il hearty voice.
"You thou. hit | was an old chap, did
youP Wish l was, if it would be any COM
fort to you. I've got no little girls, neither,
mores the pity; but you needn't be afraid
of me, though, if it is late and lonely.
Why, Lord love you, child, I'm not a
brute! Sit down and thaw out while
you tell me where you want to go.'
The half-indignaut tone of the man
made his guest feel as if she had insulted
him; and she obeyed him with docilty
which appeased his anger at once. Seat
ing herself upon the stool, she leaned to-
ward the fire with an irrepressible shivcr,
and tried to keep her teeth from chatterng
as she told her little story.
81 want work badly, and went a long
way, hoping to get some. But [ didn
find it, and that discouraged me very
much. | had no money, so | had to walk,
and the storm got SO bad lost my way.
Then | was scared and half frozen, and so
bewildercd think I'd have died if hadn't
seen the light and come in here"
II guess you would. And the best thing
you can do now is to stop until the storm
lifts. Shouldn't wonder if it did about
midnight" said the man, stirring up the
red embers, as if anxious to do something
for her comfort.
81 But that is so late, and | must be ever
so far away from home; for | came over
the wrong bridge. Oh. me! What shall
do?" and the poor thing wrung her hands
in dismay.
Won't your folks go to look for youP'
Il haven't any one in the world to care
for me- The woman where l board won I
trouble herself; or she II think I've run
away, because owe her money. No;
might be dead in the river. and ne one
would mind" sighed the girl, leaning her
head on her hands, while some bright
dishevelled hair fell over her face, rs if tc
hide its youth and innocence from world
that seemed to have no shelter for either.
That's hard! But don't you be down
hearted, child. Things often mend when
they seem worst. | know; for I've been
through the mill, and had friends raised
up to me when I'd about done with living
as bad job. cant leave here till sun
rise; but I'll do the best | can for yor
till then. Dan will be along early. anc
he'll see to you, if you can't trust me; fol
he is as gray as badger, and he's got siS
girls of his own, if that's recommendation
I've got nothing but a cat; and she trusts
me. Don't you old lassP'
AS he spoke, the man sat down upon
the sand heap, and Sally leaped to his
.,,LIo;arr bo, boo Il roipct hic nhoaly