The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-08

known; you'll be losing your way. VIII,
can tell the difference between road, ditcl
and field in this snow1"
But Talbot took the bags from the speak
crs hand, and slung them on his back
"I.osc our way, indeed. Why, she
knows every inch of the road! Don't YOU
Bcautyr 1t wont be the first time wc'v,
cantcrcd along by hundreds" And he
! laughed lightly, springng to the saddle
with bound but he added quietly, 'I
will be a rough ride tonight though, and
Shall not he sorry to see the lights of Chcc
than. If yet there all right, it vii! be on,
To my score, that $ all for they'll know
am not afraid of bit of weather, and they
won't have to say to me that slirk cG.
Good night, sir
lie buttoncd his coat tightly around him,
turned the collar mp over his ears, pulled his
cap down close, gave Beauty the signal and
ssailoprd away into the dark.
"Ah, well, you are n brave fellow, aud
l u see You don't lose anything by it," said
lhc postmaster, as he closed the door, and
sat down by his own tircsidc
AS Talbot, on his trllsty strctl, rode deep
cr into the lonely country the cold became
more terrible.
lie was covered with SNOW that froZc in
to Il coating of ice over him, and cvcryt hing
tended to send his courage down as low as
the temperature itself; but he fought man
fully TO keep up his spirits, allloug I'll it was
hard work, for such night as this had MOI,
hcrn known for years
One mllc--tw0 milrs-hrrr miles of the
road got over, and Chcrtlum still six miles
away. Straight onward he urged his way,
where all was dark before and on either
side, save now and then when, ~ he rode
quickly by, he could, through cottage
window, see cheerful tircligh, CLEAN,
when he hncicd there IL group OF happy
children around the hearth, with their father
and mother, and all else making home
bright and happy.
Then, perhaps, he thought of his own
home in Grays, Of the brothers aud sisters
there, of his mother, Watching and looking
nnNiously through the lattice, wondering
how he could he faring in all this, and pray
ing Icrvcntly for her hoy, who would he
home again on the morrow if al went we'll
But enough of this; he must keep all
thought for himself now, and fight agnins,
this drowsncss creeping slowly over him.
There was work to be done; there were
mail bags to he preserved and delivered.
That was his work, and he would do il.
Six miles of the journey over and still three
more to Checthnm. lie had lost all sense
of feeling by this time, and scarcely knew
il the rcins were in his hand, while the tears
that would come froZc upon his cheek.
This was fight with terrible foes, b,l,
Chectham was only two miles away now,
and courage must live littIo longer. Away
and away Soho, Beauty! Forward!
That was the word.
Two men stood out in High street, ut
Chcethnm. One was tho Postmastcro of TINT
town, and the other an hostler waiting to
feed Beauty and bed her down for the night.
me clouds were dispensing, the stars sllonc
'"'', q. HAo0nshino nv and nv
said one of them, stamping his II nIbcd feet
upon the ground.
every likely not. How goes his time,
is il up YETI"
"Wcll, he ought to be in very soon, if
he's coming at all, ," was the reply.
AS they were speaking, horse with its
rider came galoping in; it was Beauty
covered with foam, who, with hor burden,
now halted before them. She knew the
place too well to need any rcgning in
"Wclcome, Talbot ~ said the Postmaster.
'That's the way to do it Nine miles
against wind and weather, and true to your
time within minute or two! Unstrap the
bags boy, and then come in and have a
warm" But there was no move
"Comc, Off with you, my man. you
seem over fond Of this, more than | am any
rate"
Still no answcr-silcnt and erect he sat
in the saddle.
The hostlcr raised his lantern to the lads
face; the features were rigid, the eyes open
wide.
"Why, he is i'll !" he exclaimed. 'lIc is
very bad What shall we do? ] believe
he is dying. SIR"
Not dying but dead, for Death had met
him on tho way. Found-found at his
duty.
The Posmastcrlftcd him of in his strong
arms, but with difficulty, for the hoy was
frozen fast to the saddle and his knees were
pressed tightly to tho horses sides. Just
as he was taken down his face came near
Bcauty's head, when the painting stccd
shifted at it., expecting the masters kindly
word and touch. All, Beauty! You will
never sec your master any more! If you
were able to think at all you never thought
You were carrying his lifeless body the last
mile of the journey.
The intense cold had pierced his brave
heart and death had stolen upon him in the
guisc of sleep, rapidly sinking into Il slum
Der to know no waking in this world
----->Oe------
Nothing Mean About Him.
man stcppcl into sample room down