Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-01-01

the ear of its mother as though that cal
were already sealed by the hand of Death.
It was fortunate circumstance for the poor
baby that the instincts of its nature thus led
it to make known its distress. Soon after il
had awakened from its sleep, light wagon
appeared in sight, rattling along the road
which wound around one edge Of the moor
leading towards the farm. Its occupant was
none other than the farmer himself, who, as
it CHANGED, had been detained until late
hour on business in neighboring village
and was now on his. way home. Any sounds
less loud and piercing would have failed to
attract his notice. But above the rattle OF
the wheels, and the sharp trot, trot, Of the
horses hoofs rose, shrill and clear, that pierc.
ing wall. As its echo reached him, the good
man pulled up his horse to listen and speed
ily assured of the near neighborhood of fel-
low-being in distress, he proceeded, without
loss of time, to find out and succor the one
thus perilously situated. Led by the cries, a
few steps brought him, after he had dismoun-
ted from his wagon, to the spot where crouched
the unfortunate woman, now rigid and seem
ingly lifeless, with the struggling child upon
her knees. rt-.tff. ..t '"
"Good God |" exclaimed the farmer, aghast,
"here's poor creature frozen in the snow.
And baby! Poor brat, he's not dead any
how. There now, there! hush, you poor
thing, do" he continued, compassionately, as
he lifted it in his arms the little fellow, whose
crying ceased, as he felt that he had found a
friend in need. "What can I do with them
both? Let's see, it won't take but couple
of minutes to carry the child into the house;
can get help and come back for the woman,
though l fear twill be Of little use to try to
aid her," He gave one more earnest look at
the white, rigid face, touched the icy hand
and with sorrowful and significant shake
of the head, turned away with his new charge,
and hurried towards the house. His rapid
strides soon brought him to the gate; as he
pushed it open, the house-door, few yards
in front Of him, also opened, revealing the
form of his worthy dame, strongly defined
against rich glowing background of light,
ruddy and warm, speaking of the homely but
luxurious comfort within. -..
"Welcome, welcome, John p she exclaimed,
GIVE been fearing you've had an awful time'
riding home on such night Amt you most
frozen? Why, what have you there? And
where's the horse and wagon" t " '.
"The horse and wagon ssafe, out in the road.
Martha, I've come across poor creature in
trouble; woman, frozen out there on the
edge of the moor" .. ,...
"Frozen!" echoed his wife, in horror.
"Dead, do you mean ?" ''
81 don't know. most think she is. This
is her child, reckon. He's all safe and
sound, anyway. Are any of the folks up?"
81 sent EN- all to bed, except Charity. She's
in the back room, sewing"
She'll do. She's as strong as am, pretty
nigh. Call her, will you? I'll get her to
help me with the woman, while you take this
young one in charge"
His wife had already received the baby
into her motherly arms, and lavished many
pitying endearments upon it as she fastened
to the back sitting room, to summon Charity,
a tall, gaunt, hard, favored individual, who,
but for her name and her feminine apparel,
might easily have been mistaken for man.
"Run, Charity, quick, quick! Your mas
ter's found woman out there in the snow, and
wants you to help him bring her in. Make
haste, maybe we can save her yet"
Promptly, and without opening her lips to
express surprise, curiosity or compassion, the
sewing woman obeyed her behest. In few
moments she and the farmer together were
trying to lift the stiff, senseless form embedded
in the snow; no easy task, as the surface of
the drift, quickly hardened by the biting at
.mosphere, encrusted the limbs with a complete
wall of ice. Before long, however, they man.
aged to extricate her; and raising her now
without difficulty, for she was small and slight,
they carried her to the house, and laid her on
huge old-fashioned sofa, in the parlor, which
Mrs. Thorndale, the mistress, had already
wheeled near the fireplace and provided with
pillows and warm spreads.
"She's dead O, John, for sure she's
dead!" said the wife, in trembling tones.
"Poor thing-poor thing! Why, she's only
girl Why, John !"
"What's the matter?" asked the farmer,
surprised at the sudden ring of awe and dis
may in her voice, and the agitated clasp Of
her hand upon his. ~.
"Look! lookw She drew closer to him,
speaking in a faltering whisper, her eyes fixed
intently on the white, still face. 'Those fea'
tures-that long, bright hair-don't you
know? Don't you see the likeness ? It's
Helen come back, just as sure as you live p
"Helen! Wife, wife, you are dreaming
cried Farmer Thorndale. In spite of his ap'
parent assurance however, he was evidently
startled, and he looked inquiringly, almost in
terror, from his wife's countenance to that OF
the girl under discussion, and back again, as
if trying to read confirmation of her words
"It's Helen-brother Richards Helen
sure as fate. She's awfully changed, allow
but still"
"Hush," whispered John Thorndale, warn
ingly, as Charity, who had repaired for
moment to the adjoining room, returned
"Don't say anything more, now. Here, help
me rub her, will you,' he continued aloud
"Let Charity have the child, I expt she car
keep it quiet"
Mrs. Thorndale mechanically obeyed; bu