The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-03-18

amid dark woods, fed by hidden springs.
The day was warm, yet fresh with the
wonderful freshness Of mountain airj
and when the long wagon of Saltash
House arrived at the foot OF the ravine
all the younger members of the party
were unanimous in their resolve TO climb
TO Clear Pond, while the older ladies and
one white haired bachelor, who cared
little for scenery and much for his ease,
remained quietly on broad rock by the
lower pool, where thick pine boughs
sheltered them from the sun, and the
cool odor of dripping water seemed to
disperse whatever heat tire July
weather threatened. Two couples had
already gone upward, when Dora and
Grace, attended by Mr.. Horton and
Ned Schenck, cousin Of DOra's began
the climb. Both gentlemen had been
sufficiently accustomed to forest paths
TO make the matter easy as far as they
we're concerned, but to feet on y used
to the walks Of the city or the smooth
turf of the croquet ground, this rough
yet slippery ascent looked fearful
enough nor were kid boots the best prep
aration. for sharp rocks and moss
strcwn with pine needles. 1t seemed
ali but impossible for Dora to attempt
such a task, but her pride forbade re-
treat, while Grace, in despair, suffered
herself TO be half carried up the steepest
pitches by Ned Schenck, and lifted
bodily over stones and logs that she de-
clared herself altogether unable to sur
mount. Fortunately for her protector
she was slight, and not tail; he could
easily spare all the strength necessary.
But Dora would not allow herself to be
more than guided, though the guidance
was percmpt0ry.
Put your foot here, Miss Schenck;
now the other on that stone. Give me
your left hand, and take firm hold Of
that bouph to the right
Dora obeyed with the most childlikc
confidence, for the abyss below her and
the height above we're alike terrible; bat
she had that best Of courage which will
not turn back, though trembling with
terror. .. .t
Grace, from below, a elpless burden,
saw with sort Of pque how well Dora
endured the march, and caught Mr.,
Horizons admiring gances at the 1.-the
figure that WAS ut once 80 brave ana
docile. TO tell the truth, Grace had in
tended the handsome young clergyman
should be her own escort, aud was not
at all satisfied at being RELOCATED to Ned
Schenck's care, who was strong and good
tempered, no doubt, but neither good
looking or rich. 1t WAS not from pure
desire TO tease that Grace called out, in
her soft, drawling tones: "Doll, you are
really miracle. ! never expected to
sec you mind man so implicitly"
Dora was Indignant. She knew well
that Grace could be spitGlul, but the
spite did not hurt her M much As the
answering consciousness that in spite OF
her fine thee RIGS, she had been most i'm
plictly submissive to Mr., Horizons cs.
cort. The grliSh, silly pride that was
! her great fault rose in arms. She did
not answer Grace, but, with resolute
look on her flushed face, sprang onward
after her own fashion, stumbling and
clinging ~ well as she could, every mo
mcnt expecting Mr., Horton to advise or
demonstrate, but bent on needing his
voice no more.
She expected in vain. He said moth
inc, and the smile ON his face would not
have pleased her; he only followed fast
behind her till they came to n little
grassy platform at the head vi the
stream, where the rocks retreated and
the trees had been swept away directly
in front of the last and highest fall,
which descended here nj right angles
with the rest Of the stream, behind n
cliff that hid it entirely from the lower
pool. .......
Grace had stopped far below; she was
heated and tired an angry too. Ned
Schenck did not care for her; 80 he sat
down on the other end OF the 10y where
she had seated herself, and prolaned the
delicate forest odors with cigar. Dora
stopped moment to take breath and adj
mlre the beautiful fail before them
which dashed its white water down the
sheer black rock, ana sprnkled with
white dew the luXuriant ferns and vines
that fringcd the bank on either side,
Then she turned 10 follow the very slight
indication Of path upward. Mr. llor
ton was ready to follow; but the moment
She set her foot ON the rock which was
her first step, and extended her hand to
grasp ledge above, which must be
climbed, he cried out, in loud impcrG-
tive voice, "Dora stop"
The voice was so decisive, go power.
full, 40 full of that command which is
the counterpart of obedience that with.
out a thought of rebellion, Dora stood
like u statue. In an instant MIR Horton
put his arm about her, swung her back,
and began to strike rapidly and liercc!y
at something on the crest Of the ledge
and in another minute he lifted dead
ratlesnakc on his cane and flung it far
down into the stream. Dora turned sick
: and sat down on II stone, shuddrring and
pale. Mr., Horton only said, Excuse
me, Miss Schcnck the danger was toe
, near for me to be less imperative
Dora shiyercd. "If you had not,
should be dead now"
/ =" Not at all, laughed Mr., Horton
Il know these woods too well TO bt
ever without the proper olIeviations lol
| snake bite, but never y,t used them
though have met and killed II good
many. Eattlesnakcs are dull creatures
unless they coil To spring, and one blow
with heavy stick will XIII them. Very
few people die of their bites. have
only heard of one case in these regions,
and that was child who had strayed
alone in the woods