Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-22

through the little panes of wrinkled glass,
that he might discover whether the storm
was over
Although a few flakes f1uttered in the
air, yet they began to glisten as the rays OF
the sun that were breaking through the
clouds fell upon them, and when Abner
perceived that the day would soon be fine
he called, saying, Samuel Samuel! Hear
metz
A sinewy young man, of rosy cheeks, and
eyes that were bright because of health
and exercise, put a huge log upon the fire
place, and having brushed the snow from
his arms, went to Abner that he might re-
ceive his masters commands.
"The magistrate will come by noon, l
think, for the storm is over. Samuel, you
: must break way through the snow upon
the highway at once Take the stub
horned oxen for the steers are not yet
heavy enough for such a snow as this.
Having received this command, Samuel
put on a fur cap and muff1er, and with
heavy mittens on his hands went-away.
s.Surely the magistrate will not come
today" said gentle woman. with soft
spoken voice. "It is fifteen miles to New
Haven when the roads are good, but with
this snow on them it will be as good as
twice as far"
'Wfl not come, mother, did you say?
Before the sun was up the magistrate was
on his way, trow."
AS he spoke, Abner, spying something
that gave him interest, looked intently
across the common. At last he said
"Come here, mother, and tell me if that is
not.the maid Dorothy that I see yonder in
the doorway of Governor Leete's store"
The wife went to the window, and the
sight that she saw caused her to be silent,
longing to see more. Across the common,
200 yards away, stood the store where the
governor of the colony, Mr.. Leete, had his
business. The wind had drawn the snow
against one side of it so high that, with the
overhanging fringe from the roof, there
was formed a bank of white, broken in two
places by the faint outlines of the win
dows From the door, on another side,
there was thrust heavily hooded head
that seemed to be slyly looking each way
as if fearful of discovery. At one moment
this head was thrust out, and then for an
instant was withdrawn to be again put out
little farther.
At last the door was opened wide and
there stepped out into the drift the figure
of woman. She was well wrapped and
she walked with ease.
''That is Dorothy" said Mother Alling
"It is strange performance" said Alb
ner. "Why does she come so slyly from
the governors store at this early hour
when the men have not yet all gone out to
break the roads?"
''She has bundle under her cloak. i
knew that Dorothy was maid disposed to
be fond of frivolous things, but l did not
think that she was sly" said the mother.
'To be sly means deceit; that is some
thing that must be punished. All, there
is Samuel with the oxen. He breaks the
path well. But.now he sees Dorothy, and
will, trow, stop and speak to her, for |
have surmised, mother, that he likes that
maid too we'll"
He does, husband"
$50 long as he is my apprentice at the
forge and anvil he shall WOO no maid, least
of all this orphan, who, 1 greatly fear, with
her soft ways, does cause our governorto
relax his duty at times. He even permit
ted her to wear brooch upon the Lords
day. We must discipline the maid today
Truly will summon her before the magis
trate. lie not; will. See, Samuel il
speaking with her."
The girl had gone through the snow un
IL she was near the meeting house, SOM
sixty yards away from the store, and ther
the young man, Samuel, met her He hal
seen her as she came from the store, anC
although her head was well hooded, ye
the young man knew her as we'll as if h
saw her eyes, that always greeted him, ant
her bps, thatafways bestowed upon him
smile. Heturned the oxen, and with mucl
goading forcedrthem to break path from
thegoxernor's house, where the girl lived
tosthe placeEwhere he met her. Then h
said to@hG
'Why,. Master Sa1nuete''
'Whye You know well why. Yor
know -what;is4to' happen the day am IN!
master, ,and.so sweet do you appear thi'
morning. my Dorothy, that / wish it was
today, for Lhave your promise to wed me
onEhataday. Now'telEme, how is it thai
you are out so-early, and what is undel
your cloak7"
Il wilLansxver neither of your questions
Master Samuel Are you not content tt
have me here? Come, put me on th'
sledge, for I must be back to Mr.. Leete'.
at once"
The young man put his strong arms
gently about her and lifted her to the
sledge, where'she stamped the snow from
her feet, and then, with an arm thrown
around a.stake,. she held securely on, while
Samuel started the oxen away. Then he
came and walked by her side.
'Why'did you peek so curiously from
the door moment ago?'' he asked
She knew that he was half jesting, hall
curious. Shewould not answer him, but
she said: "Oh, Samuel, you made me for
get my purpose. I wish you merry
Christmas, SIR"
He looked at her perpleXed, wondering
what she meant, for he had never heard
these words before, and he knew that nc
one in the town had ever repeated them.
"What do you mean by that? What
thing is this you wish me-a merry Christ
mas7 What is that?"
'7t is Christmas day, Samuel" said she
softly.
II do not comprehend. 1t is Wednes
day"
= @This day it was that Christ was born
and in the countries across the sea it is the
habit of the people to bring it to mind by
saying'as they meet, Il wish you merry
s Christmas.
'eDorothy, YOU perplex me. Who told
you this?"
"Ahl a heavenly minded man did tel
me-oh, what have l saidl Payne heed tc
my chattering, Samuel"
She put her hand pleadingly upon his
He perceived that she was very thought
full, and there was self reproach in he
tones as she said, 81 cannot tell yousnow;
will some day, Samuel"