Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-02-19

at his own almost bare feet that already
began to tingle. YES" replied the
little sister, initiating the brightness
of her brot ler's face, "and we'll be
good like grandma tells US, and take
some Of dem folks to ride what wouldn't
div us nothing, won't us, Robin ?" He
nodded pleasantly in return, and they
both hastened as fast as their limbs
could bear them, for not only the snow
was falling fast, but keen wind be-
gan to whistle an unwelcome dirge
through the almost leafless forest limbs
above them. It was only two miles
to their home, and in dry seasons was
a straight, plain way. But winter
rains had submerged shallow slough,
through which they usually passed on
foot. Here they paused, for the wagon
tracks winding around the eircuitous
marsh, which had been their guide,
were entirely covered by the snowy
vestment, rapidly and silently folding
on the gray form of nature.
Robin stood and thought for min
ute.
80. I reckon we'll go all right. Come
Wrenie, grandma is making sausage
for supper, we must hurry home"
robin, | am awful hungry; dey is
50 good DIES can't wait"
The Christmas tree and all behind
them were forgotten in the severity
their surroundings and the great de-
sire to reach home.
They had gone perhaps mile, when
Robin realized they were wrong. He
concluded not to retrace his steps, but
thinking he knew the way, turned to
his sister, who was forcing her little
body along with great effort.
II am DIES trying with all my might
and main to go fast, but l des I cam t
go no fudder."
"Yes, and I'm going to carry you,
| Wrnnie."
Robin was not cold, except his feet,
bat the thought Of putting on his grand
mothers shoes was rapidly carried in
to action, and lifting Wren in his arms
he began the toilsome journey at right
angles with his former course in hopes
to reach the road above the slough. At
ter time his precious burden became
! too heavy, and his labored breathing
ana flushed face made Wren's kind
little heart suggest to walk again. He
/ lifted her on a stump and rubbed her
] chubby hands till they were soft and
warm, which increased the sluggish
circulation of his own.
"Now, Wrenie, if you get on my
back can go ever so fast
Then the brave little fellow made first
rate PROCESS, but alas it was only to
bear them that much further from
home, it broke upon him i'll crushing
bitterness as large bayou wound out
in full view before him. But still he
did mot break through tnat overmas
tering heroism as natural to his boy
heart as is strength in the embryonic
-fbers woven in the acOrn's s cup. Much
higher along the water side the snow
had fallen but sparsely there, render
ing the footing better, and he stood
his sister on her feet to rest himself
preparatory to a fresh Start. tnusua
to her wonted prntling way, Wrer
had become entirely silent, stilled b,
the oppression Of di difficulties, yet trust
ing her brother, who was several year
older.
Robin knew to follow the bayoi
would take him further from home
vet as dim traces of road were visibl
he thought.it might be the means o
meeting some one.
The large stream shot its swift length
along now as straight as the arrow
sped from the red mans quiver, thel
rounding as the bend of his bow.
Green crested wild ducks glded BIZ
placid grace or grouped in picturesqu
clusters am the oasis Of lily-foliag
dotting the ripping waters. The bank
above were sentineled by giant cypres:
towering skvward, waving in the win
try winds the sheer verdancy of thei
tufted plumes The palmetto openet
It's prim fans in Quaker-like precision
aud circling the open woed OF oak ant
ash were dense plated thicke cts OF cane
serving as covert deus for the panthe
and bear. Last. looming up on tn
wild scene of nature through which
the children were slowly trudging
were vast stacks Of split timber, nea
and symmetrical even in their rough
state. These. the work Of honest hard
working Germans, were stacked ol
the banks OF the bayou, which. at tn
spring rise OF waters, were 10 be fioatet
out on flat boats 10 the Crescent City
thence shipped rs s,aSe wood 10 Eur
ope.
All. the work of the stave men =