Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-10-17
From the Star in the West.
LOST IN THE WOODS.
BY REV. J. B. FINLEY.

The following incident is one among many
which have occurred in the history of my life,
and which so strikingly illustrates the special
providence of God, that am induced to for
ward it for publication Mrs. Bearer, the he
roine and narrator of the story, was the vile OF
Mr.. George Bearer, and was, by education and
parentagc, a Roman Catholic. Her parents
were natives Of Berkley county, Va, and at
the time. were residents of the country IN the
vicinity of Sleepy Creek. Early on the morn
ing of the 7th of January, 1900, she lett home
on a borrowed horse to cross Capin Mountains,
to visit her aged parents. She took with her
m infant child, daughter Of seven months
old The SHOWS upon the mountains were
three feet deer, and the weather was exceed
;noly ccld. Fer defence and companys sake
she took with her the house dog, very large
spaniel. Having gained the top of tue noun
tain range. she concluded to leave the great
road, and by short cut, arrive the same night
at her fathers house.
She had, however, not proceeded far before
she found herself bewildered, and, in conse-
quence, becoming frightened. She dared not
turn back, but wandered about through the
mountain until night had settled its gloom over
the world She then dismounted; and having
fastened her horse to a sapliug, she prepared a
ulace as well as circumstances would admit,
where to pass the night. The snow, as before
remarked, was three feet deep, the darkness
was profound, and the wind from the north
west broke in hurricane above her. With no
company but her child, and no protection but
her dog, her situation was lonely beyond the
Imagination to conceive
Fortunately, she had with her extra
clothing in the shape of cloak and shawl
Removing as well as she could the snow from
beneath large tree. she took her apparel, and
with her child and dog, she composed herself
for the night.
Sister Bearer stated to me, that for week
previous to undertaking this journey. she was
unusually exercised about her spiritual welfare,
and very frequently took an old prayer book
and read it.
Now far from home, dcsolate, distressed she
felt the need of close communion with Cod
The prayers which she had read the week be-
fore came fresh to her mind, which she offered
ferventlv to her Maker. The night was long
and dreary, and she spent it without Sleep
Very shortly after fastening her horse, the ami
NAL became uneasy, and started off at full
speed. This greatly added to her msfortuncs,
for she had hoped by him, to have reached
scme settlement next day.
At length day dawned and though by the
help of her clothing and her dog she kept her
sclfaud child from freezing. yet was so benumb-
ed by the cold as to be almost unable to walk wa
and carry her infant daughter with her. This
was Saturday morning. She now left part OF
her clothing and made an effort to return to the
point where she had left the great road. Alter
travelling until she was nearly exhausted, she
concluded that unless she reached the settle
ment, she must perish with cold. lndulging
from freezing, or be found by some one. she
thought it best to return to the spot where she
had passed the previous night Accordingly
she started back, and on her way hung her a:
prom on bush, and afterward her handkerchief;
rs sirns of distress, in hope, though indeed
Iaint hope, that some passing hunter might see