The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-12-30


cold became more intense, and before
many miles were traversed the little trio
were blue and shivering. The mother
took off her faded shawl aud wrapped
her children carefully in it. Little Dix
lie, the boy, sobbed on his rough jacket
sleeve, and said he wished be was in a
big ole fire." At last, all the passengers
complained Of the cold, except the hard
old case, who forgot his former weather
observation, and grew so warm that he
was obliged to lay aside his big, warm
shawl
'Shawls are such trouble, and I'd
be glad to ges md of this one," he said,
handing it to the grateful little mother.
She thought he must be very queerly
constituted to get too warm on such
day, while Mr.. Legay wore two shawls
with seeming comfort.
To Kate the action was almost sublime,
and the white lie accompanying it WAS
such as the angels blot out with a tear.
The ''invisible writing" in Stephen Som
erville's character was becoming clear
For the rest of the ride she could not see
the point of Mr.. Legay's witticisms. and
replied SO curtly to his sentimentalisms
that he wondered what could have
wrought such sudden change. Fair,
but tickle" he thought.
When the elegant and luxurious coach
finally Numbered into st. Mary's, the
wea-ypassengers willinglybeRsn to aligh'.
Boy-like, Dixie was among the first to
escape from thraldom; and before his
mother could collect up baby and bundle
and basket, be was under, the horses feet.
His mother saw the danger az the wild
horses took fright, but was too far off to
render any assistance except useless
warning, One swift moment-to her a
year!--then there was a child's sharp cry,
q woman's vail, and the silence of breath.
less, sitting suspense fell upon the by
ISLANDERS.
Another instant, and the boy, terribly
frightened, bat safe and sound, was in
his mothers arms, aud the hard old case
was picked up where the elegant coach,
with its flying steeds, had just stood. He
was senseless and severly injured.
Kate wanted to wiring her hands and
die, but her good sense prevailed, and
she gave orders for Mr.. Somerville to be
conveyed to her own pleasant home in
stead of his distant boarding house. Alb,
now, in unfading characters, glowing
golden letters, was the writing all reveal
ed! AT first the physicians thought there
was no hope, but their skill and the faith
full nursing given him by the Lawrences
and Dixie's parents. Mr.. Somerville be.
gan to improve. 1t was wonderful to SEE
what tender, gentle nurse the rough
blacksmith proved himself He felt that
even life long devotion could not e1
press his gratitude to the man who haG
so nobly risked his life to saYe his boy.
Kate wandered about the house like 4
lost spirit, aud her mother WAS puzzled
ut her being $50 nervous over an accident
to comparative stranger" But wher
Stephens recovery became certain, th'
young lady happened to overcome hel
"neryousness" very rapidly.
New Year morning dawned. Stepher
was able to make his appearance in the
parlors for the first time, HLd Dixie cam,
over in all the glory of a bran new suit
tull of pockets, which the new year hat
brought His only shadow of sorrow nov
was that he didn't have hand for eacr
cnte little pocket. He had spent swC
hours, aud his only 'two bits' IN II toy
store. getting present for liis delivvrer
X ,te said it was perfect beauty. anC
the hard old case declared that TOY
barking sheep, with bead eyes, was jus
exactly what be wanted! Then sCm'
MISUNDERSTANDING packages were giver
TO Dixie, and he went home with as Diucl
true bappiuess slowed under Lis tiny
gray jacket AS little prince evsr felt.
Then Stephen Somerville sun monet
up the courage TO tell Kate the "thr,
little words he bad 30 long wanted tC
say. don't know what reply she made
bni for some reason she didn't seem u
be the least ANNOYED Mt what he said.