The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-03-22

separated from her mother even over
night. Willie sturdily declared that
they could get home we'll enough, but
the teacher would not consent to their
making the attempt By going east
with her they would have the wind
nearly at their backs, and 1t was clear
enough that no child could live in the
face of such. storm. ,
vi the eight scholars, the Oldest was
little more than twelve, while Robbie
hent delicate boy, was younger even
than Mary Wood. This smallest and
weakest of the flock Miss Rast made
her especial care, and, taking him by
the hand, she made the rest grasp each
other firmly, bidding them keep to-
gether, and close to her Then, at last,
she opened the door that had stood, a
frail barrier, between them and the
storm. The first gust took them off
their ieet; but the little teacher sum-
moned strength and courage, and, with
silent prayer for help, gathered them
up, hushed their outcries, and, putting
the smaller children between the larger.
and making them take hold of her
cloak, her dress, her hands--somehow
they must keep ogether-started them
again on their well-nigh impossible
journey.
1t was like trying to walk through
deep-drifted snow. so thick was the air,
while the the wind ragged and howled,
twisting and fiinging them from side to
side.
"Keep-together-children" painted
the little teacher, as she huddled them
up Tor few moments to take breath.
There was no crying now; only a
weak. quayering wall from Robbie,
that caused the teacher to catch him
up i'll her arms, and clasp him close,
with sinking heart, lest he should be
smothered by the binding snow, fine
as -four but sharp as needle points.
And SO, painting and struggling. now
stopping to count if all were there. and
now pushing on again, they fought
their fearful way, step by step.
''Keep-tog gether--children" was all
the breathless teacher tried to say; and
still the storm increased in fury; every
moment the sky grew blacker and
thicker, and night was fast settling
down on the poor, struggling band.
Their puny strength was all but ex-
hausted. Every crevice of their CLOTH
ing was filed with snow, their eyelids
were covered with frost. tears were
frozen on cold little cheeks, tiny hands
grew too stiff to hold on to each other;
and still the teacher counted her flock,
and hoped and prayed that somehow
she might yet save them all.
But in such tempest human strength
and ingenuity are of small avail; and
when. at last, gasping. numb and near
| ly frozen. she sank down once more
and drew the children about her, she
discovered, to her horror. that Willie
and Mary Wood were missing.
How wildly she called their names,
and how vainly! while only the wind,
like a mocking fiend, answered her
cries. She dared not leave the other
children even for an instant. Once
] away from them, she knew she could
never find them again; and moreover,
little Robbie now lay. a dead weight in
her arms. that seemed no longer able
to carry him.
Almost overwhelmed she sat, the
children around and upon her, and the
snow surging and drifting over them.
Yet she would not give up all hope.
She remembered that they had crossed
the small brook. They must, therefore,
be more than halfway home; and,
furthermore, they were still near the
board-fence which skirted the road. Sc
that every step taken was certainly in
the right direction.
She crowded the children together
protecting their faces from the storm
as best she could, in order that they
might rest, and recover their spen1
breath; she gently rubbed and talked
to Robbie, until he revived little
then getting them all in front of her
| the smallest in the center, she made
them start again.
But the stupefied children now begar
to whimper, begging to lie down; ant
she had almost to force them on, steI
by step, pushing one. pulling another
gathering them up when they fell, ant
keeping them all the time in bunch
lest others should drop out. as Mary
and Willie had done.
So she fought and struggled till th'
hands with which she tried to grasl
/ the children were too deadened to fee
any thing, and bitter despair filled he
heart.
/ Then. all at once, some one, gropins
through the snow and battling witt
the wind. brushed against them, ant
ishe heard shout. rs if it were muffieC
and far away. In another moment
Robbie was in his fathers arms, while
sthe little teacher, completely overcome
sobbed aloud for relief and joy.
Mr.. Kent had taken with him hi
.grown-up son aud hired man, and, t.
Isprevent separation. had adopted a de