Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-03-26

bright gleam of light, and a smile of
delicious youth and innocence stream
out in the face of the night and salute
the intruders.
The first to enter is a man, tall, and
slightly bent, with thin, aged face,
and fair, long beard, plentifully leav-
ened with gray hairs. He bends down,
with an air not quite in keeping with
his homely garb, and inpresses fer
vent kiss on the sweet, upturned face
that greets him. He then steps aside
with a courteous movement and dis
closes the figure of robust youth, with
beardless face wreathed in smiles,
halfdiffident. half-assured, altogether
guileless.
Come in, Abe" says the little
hostess, as he beams at her from the
doorway.
Smiling, Abe insinuates himself past
her, without word, merely rubbing
the top of his frost-smitten nose by way
of salutation.
In or about this hour, Abe Gilman
generally insinuated himself into the
presence of May, and beguiled his even
ings in the company of her and her
father. George Seton had some books
which greatly interested him, especially
when read to him by the owner or his
daughter, and he occasionally borrowed
one, though frequently puzzled by some
of the words; for Abe was not much of
a scholar, but he had taste for litera-
ture, and for Mays society, which was
a sort of education in itself.
"You haven't had supper, Abe" said
May, invitingly, to the visitor, with a
peep at him that might have upset a
more confident youth.
"I'm just goin' back to it," said Abe,
apologetically. 81 only kem for book
yer father promised to loan me-"
Better stay for supper now, Abe" :"
said George Seton, in his quiet but
kindly way.
Don't require to be coaxed too much
before you consent" said May, with
mock gravity, and merry twinkle in
her blue eye, that sent Abe into con-
vulsive litter, and brought him to the
table without further parley.
"Who went to Fairbank to-dayP" in
quired May, when she had set the meal
in full motion.
abe, my car; he brought you your
paper" answered her father. 81 was
chopping wood all day; much warmer
| WOTk-bl. AD6F
Eyes, sir" returned Abe, with an
emphasis on the second word that left
no mistake as to his thorough agreement
with his friends opinion. Il never
thought I'd get home. There wasn't a
soul to be seen in the village, 'cept what
was keepin' the stove warm in the store.
There was lady that KEN by the cars,
an she wanted to start straight away
for Mansfield, an she offered ten dollars
to any one that'd take her, an, by golly,
sir, she couldn't to save her life git one
that'd face it,"
snS "shs shsG vas face f trqT ~ pg laughed May
Eyes, by golly. SHE would that, said
Abe; but she had so many shawls,
an turs, an wraps with her, that |
think she could have slep' in the snow
for week without being frozen"
cts nasty road from here to Mans
field, such night, said George Seton
"but that was ffprice."
"She may get some one. that'l take
her yet," said May.
"She may, and she mayn't, " said Abe,
grinning comfortably at the fire. i" If
Jack Price was around, / don't think he'd
let so much money go. I think he'd
Skin lllllSell I'LL GlldG HOISe VI ulo IOI Tile
whisky that ten dollars'd buy"
:" fear he'd run the risk of it, Abe, v
said George, smiling. Poor Jack is a
rare fellow for his whisky"
"Hush" cried May, "this is a sleigh.
coming now; I'm sure heard the bells
Perhaps it's she. Look and see, Abe"
HE couldn't see his finger outside, IN y
DEAR" said her father, taking down his
pipe off the mantle and filling it, whilst
Abe rose to peep out.
The tinkling sound advanced rapidly,
but it was dark as pitch, and sleet and
snow were travelling furiously with the
wind.
Abe could see nothing from the door
step, so he ran down to the wooden
bridge that spanned the frozen stream.
He could now discern the dark object
coming furiously toward him, but he
noticed, with anxiety, that it was in
clinirg dangerously near the side of the
rop IN which was the little ravine.
Onward came the snorting horse at
the top of his speed, but closer and closer
to the brink of the highway.
Abe raised his hands and voice in
alarm to the driver, but his warning
was not heard, or heard too late, for the
next instant the horse and sleigh had
tumbled into the bed of frozen water.
} The hoarse cry of man in pain and d
) stifled moan reached the ears of the
Mortified Abe, as he shouted out
George! George!"
But George, who had heard the crash
was on hand a moment after the acci
dent with a lantern, and, taking the
situation in at glance, first released tht
furiously struggling horse, anc ther
lifted up the heavy sleigh that had com
: pletely turned over on the occupants.
Jack Price-for he it was-was so full
: of whisky that, when he regained hi
liberty, he scarce felt the pain of hi
: broken arm and bruised and blood,
face.
: George Seton had already raised tn
other traveller in his arms, and
! troubled loC k had gathered on his brow
Take that druken fellow back to tn
Il village, Abe" he said, when Jack Pric
and his vehicle were once more in run
e ming order; land make all the hast
!, you can back with the doctor. / fea
this is serious case"
e is it the lady, fatherP" said May
's who had come forward and was hold
U ing the lantern, as George clambered IL
l. to the road with the unconscious bun
s. die in his arms.
l. 81 suppose SO, May" he replied, fo
lowing her into the cottage "Who
o ever il is, is, / dread, badly hurt"
n May drew the lounge close to the fir,
as and on it the insensible woman ws
o. laid.
IT, Abe did not exaggerate when /
r stated that the lady was we'll .protecte
from the weather. She was wrappe
1gs and muffled up till her face was n
OF longer visible, and Mays first effor
IL, ,,,o,so d;rmotod IN rnlinuo hoY. from, cav