The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-01-27

mothers shoes was rapidly carried into
action, and lifting Wren in his arms he
began the toilsome journey at right an
giles with his former course, in hopes t.
reach the road above the slough. After
time his precious burden became too
heavy, and his labored breathing and
flushed face made Wren's kind little
heart suggest to walk again. He lifted
her on a stump aud 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 SC fast" Then the brave
little fellow made first rate progress, but
alasI it Was only to bear them that much
further from home, it broke upon him
in crushing bitterness as large bayou
wound out in full view before him. But
still he did not break through that over
mastering heroism rs natural to his boy
heart as is strength in the embryonic
6bers woven in the acorn's cup. Much
higher along the water side the snow
had fallen but sparsely there, rendering
the footing better, and he stood his sis
ter On her feet to rest himself, prepara-
tory to fresh start. Unusual to her
wonted prattling way, Wren had become
entirely silent, stilled by the oppression
of difficulties, yet trusting her brother,
who was several years older.
Robin knew to follow the bayou would
take him further from home, yet as dim
traces of road were visible he thought
it might be the means of meeting some
Que.
The large stream shot its swift length
along now as straight as the arrow sped
from the red mans culver, then round
ing as the bend of his bow.
Green crested wild ducks glided in
placid grace or grouped in picturesque
clusters amid the OASIS of ilyfoliage
dotting the ripping waters. The banks
above were sentineled by giant cypress,
towering skyward, waving in the wintry
winds the sheer verdaucy of their tufted
plumes. The palmetto opened its prim
fans III Quaker-ike precision. and circ
cling the open wood of oak and ash were
dense plated thickets of cane, serving as
covert deDs for the panther and BEAR
Last, looming up on the wild scene of
nature through which the children were
slowly trudglng, were vast stacks of split
timber, neat and symmetrical even in
their rough state. These, the work Of
honest, hardworking Germans, were
stacked on the banks of the bayou, which,
at the spring rise of waters, were to be
foated out on fat boats to the Crescent
City, thence shipped as stave wood to
Enrope
"Ah! the work of the stave men!' said
Robin in kind of shout, tremulous with
the tears that coursed down his cheeks.
1t was getting late, he was numbed, and
his sister so hungry.
"Do dem stave men work close to
homer asked the poor patient baby, as
she yearned for the dear old grandma 5
arms at home.
"They would let rs ride 10 their wagon
if they saw us" Robin replied in a sooth-
ing, evasive way.
On and on, and further on. and no
trace of human habitation, and at last
the stopping place came In the last pile
Of lumber, for the road wound off from
the stream into the woods and was hid
den with snow,
BY the side Of the lumber they sat
down together. Wren yettrusting, Rob
in yet brave, though hope within him lay
frozen dead. This was his little sister,
around whom had centered the most
golden aspirations of his twelve years.
His little sister, without mother, faith
er or sister to whom he had meant to be
ali; his little sister, innocent, loving and
self-sacrifcing, even in babyhood, lost in
the snowstorm to die.
"Yet." thought he, "freezing is the
easiest death to die, have always heard,
aud I will tell her."
"My dear little sister, we have come a
long, cold walk, but let me tell you. this
is the way to Heaven; We will go there
tonight"
'Are us, Robin2"
eyes, Wrenie."
81 thought folkses got sick and died
when dey went dere."
but, We are just going to sleep in eact
others arms, and when we wake up we
will be with mother and father, in Heav.
en-"
"And will grandma come toos"
Eyes, when she finds out we are gone.
"Well, let's go to sleep, Robin"
The poor boy gathered his little siste,
to his breast, kissed her again and again
with their little arms around each other
with cheek pressing cheek, they sat silen
aud waiting for death, that King of Ter
rors, before whom many stout hearts o
experience and age have quailed in fear
One by one of the night stars had slip
ped out from behind the waning snow
clouds, and shone above them IN glitter
ing twinkles. Tue Christmas eve moon
slowly rose and wove her most ambe
glints, while the snow crystals ponderet
over them, till the wrap of ethereal gos
samer, starred with million jewels, was
meet for the forms 10 Paradise.
But bark! The rumbiing and creaking
approach of sounds, then human voices
and finally wagon with its unwield,
yet sure OK team, drove up and stopped
before those lost babes in the wood, OF
the verge of Heavens opening portals.
1t was the stavs-man, returning from