A Waif of the Mountains

"A Waif of the Mountains" by Edward Sylvester Ellis is an early 20th-century story located in the tough mining camp of New Constantinople, where a fierce blizzard brings both hardship and unexpected community. The story begins with miners arguing about what to name their town as a storm rages, setting a humorous tone that shifts dramatically with the arrival of a man that lost his wife to the blizzard. He arrives with his young daughter who soon captures the hearts of the rough miners, turning them into a supportive group as they face loss and build friendships.