Kristy's Rainy Day Picnic

n the little schoolhouse out on th

r awaiting them began to stir in the children's thoughts, and many glan

choolhouse and shook it to its foundations, while at the same moment a great da

of the older scholars, who well knew the en

be seen but snow. Not the soft, feathery flakes of eastern storms, but sharp ice

ended upon it, obliterating every landmark, and so blinding and bewildering one that even the sense of direction was l

r, came over her. Then seeing that all order was at an end, and the children were huddled about her, some crying and all terrified, she pulled herself together, realizing that to avert a real p

ll that one step beyond the door they would be lost, for years of experience with blizzards and th

a few moments she did try to think, but all the time she knew in her heart tha

e must just be patient and make ourselves as comfortable as we can. You may put away your books,"-for she saw that study or school work would be impossible in their state

full-grown and seventeen years old. He did the work of a man on the farm all su

e, he had not outgrown the boy in him, and he sometimes gave her a great deal of

real danger brought out his manly side and he at onc

s kept and returned with a small armful and a white fac

ss Grey assumed a confidence she by no means felt. "

said Harry; "I know

us blows of the axe were heard, and soon he returned with a glowing face and

zard-the horror of it-the dread of what it might bring to these children under her charge-then the terrors of hunger and cold, and panic of fear, which seemed

new courage. "Harry," she said, in a low tone, "you are the oldest

now," hesi

children will work themselves into a

r helper; then after a moment, "I guess I can; I'l

ss Grey, sinking

really a thrilling one and he told it with ent

ecovered herself and made some def

bear, the details of which Harry enlarged upon till

erself, when a faint little voice spoke up, "Oh, I'

new. With Harry at the axe, they could be kept warm; bu

any dinner left in yo

, when she ordered all baskets

es, and her heart sank; but, telling those who had anything that of course what there was mus

elf!" said Harry, who was d

ant anything,"

aid Harry; "I'll

said Miss Grey, with a smil

ng his small portion to the others.

don't know what I s

er cue from Harry's bear story and added harrowing incidents and thrilling experiences, as

t resource: she proposed a game, and in a few minutes the whole school was ro

n the nursery. But she found this a rather dangerous experiment, for the thought of that happy time contrasted with the anxieties of this, with a dozen f

ory, making it as long and as

oor was left open to give a little light, and the

were all put to bed on the benches. These benches, fortunately, had backs, and by putting two of them

circumstances, Miss Grey sang several rather sleepy verses, and when long

" said her gallant helper, Harry. "Yo

know about these storms-how long do they usuall

man in the village is out now trying to get to

other is half craz

she is," s

nely little building as if it would tear it to pieces and scatter its ruins over the pitiless prairie; how the icy storm beat against the staring great wind

sn't this the worst storm you ever knew? I

they're all about alike. I

? Did you

to a farmhouse, miles away from where we thought we were. I was so stiff with cold I couldn't walk. I was a ki

" said Miss Grey. "I feel now as if I should run

ly; "you're the best teache

d between the two watchers. Th

le, "you didn't answer my question o

for he had purposely not answere

er in a few hours, but sometimes," he added m

at can I do with the children! They'

omes," said Harry. "I wish we could show a light

ought to have candles and matches, and I'll see that we h

nd was strong as ever, and nothing could be seen but a world of whirling, rushing, blinding snow. And before it wa

e worn-out teacher sang and told stories, and led

he door; indeed all started for it in a mad rush, but M

ge snow-monsters?-clad in white from head to foot, and so di

themselves that all the children were safe, listened to Harry's animated st

When the weary men had rested a little and warmed themselves, the children were wrapped up in extra wraps the me

f it were left, there was enough to guide these hardy men used to such storms. Every man too

blew her skirts and impeded her steps, and in her state of nervous exhaustion she was very soon overcome. A dull s

ere was not a moment to lose; the rest of the party were almost out of sight

then," Harry took her light form up in his arms and trudged o

he farmhouse where Miss Grey boarded, he staggered up the steps, burst

it on a lounge, and some set to work to restore her, while othe

he and Harry had eaten a very welcome breakfast, he rose to go t

I believe you have saved my life-w

up the school and go away!" b

asked, somewhat surprised, for she had sometimes

"I've been a donkey and given you trouble-I'd like to kick my

depend on you to be the help you were las

arry bluntly, as he

his example as well as his influence made the little school far different from what it had been. Before spring, Miss Grey had become so attached to her scholars and the little town that she had no wish to le

nts' silence, "why did you never tell

you everything at once; I wanted to s

ry wise; "I guess they are about some one I know." Mamma smile

me ano

d to Bessie while she was in the city, and soon after the affair of the dead kitten she went hom

y, looking at the clock which poi

there is time,"