The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-08
SNOWDROP.

The twilight gathers quickly and still
the snow falls as it has been doing all the
afternoon.
Hurrying homeward 1 catch glimpses
of pleasant rooms 'twixt the lighting of
the gas and the closing of the curtains;
rooms with ruddy fires, beautiful pic
lures, books and flowers; rooms with
groups of children at the windows to
watch the first great fall of snow.
Thinking of my own coy home, where
wife is waiting for me, nearly tip over
two children-boy and girl-and ex-
claim:
"Well, my boy, 1 didn't intend to
tumble over you! The snow is coming
fast and you'd better be home with your
little sister,
Il poor face with great earnest
eyes looked up into mine for moment;
then he moved along with the little girl
by his side.
Her eyes? 1 looked closer-yes-
The little red shawl was drawn tightly
around her, and the tiny hand was drawn
through the arm of her protector.
Very gently he led her
Where are we going tonight,
Ralph?'
81 don't know, little Snowdrop; God
will take care of us-mother said so.
May be we can sleep on some doorstep.
I'd keep you warm with my coat, but
may be the angels would take you from
me, and then, Showdrop-rdd die"
mo, Ralph, you wouldn't. You'd
live and grow up to be man. But,
Ralph, I'd like to live with you now that
mother has gone. You'd be so lone
some without your little Snowdrop. No,
Ralph, God will let me live for you if |
am blind" .....
eff you are blind" he said, impetu-
~ously, ''you are my little Snowdrop, and
l cannot spare you. Mother gave you to
me, and you are mine, Nine, my own
wee Snowdrop." a.f
1t so happened that being called out
that night, 1--WE doctors are sent for at
all hours) on the steps of the ''brown
stone 'front.' L stumbled over what
seemed a huge SNOWFALL, yet-how is it
this intuitive knowledge comes to us?-I
knew it was not a SNOWFALL, and stoop-
ing down found the children | had met
a few hours ago.
Wrapped in his coat she lay in her
brothers. arms. Poor child, how wan
he looked as we took him in! And she
-ah! was itpossible that she could live
Slowly the color came back to her lips
With what a sigh the spirit entered into
the clay and made it life. (Where had
the spirit been, meantime?) Quick gasp
ing signs, then sleep, blessed sleep.
Very patiently we worked over the
boy. Would those large wistful eyes
never look into mine again? 1t seemed
not, and had to go up to my patient
who could be kept waiting any longer.
But by and by came down to find the
servants still rubbing away.
I" Shure, sur, an there's not a speck
of loife in the chile,' said the soft-hearted
Irish cook, as the tears rolled down her
cheeks. ...-. ......
bent over and thought there was
scarcely perceptible flutter of the little
heart A gasp! Yes, life and conscious
ness were coming back.
AT last those wondrous eyes opened:
"Snowdrop! oh my Snowdropr' he
cried, starting up.
We laid her there-rosy and warm in
her sleep-by his side. 4'o ''' '.-
"Snowdrop, | thought we went to
heaven and
Sleep had come and the two were
saved.
"Shure, SURF said the cook, San
they shall sleep in me own bed the
night
So the children were carried up stairs
and tucked in the cooks bed and went
home '
Next morning found my little folks
warm and rosy in the kitchen with the
cook.
My own house was little quaint, and
old-fashioned, but wife and | loved it
more than we could have done any
stately mansion ON Fifth Avenue.