Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-11-12
NO432

Snow flakes whirled into the lodge, hiding away
in the folds of the blanket; but the branches
cracked and blazed On the fire, and the invalid,
long Injured to hardship, rousing up his courage,
determined to be as hopeful as possible.
On went the travellers with brisk steps, but the
lew sPoonfuls of bean soup was sorry breakfast
for the toilsome day work.
tive me lever, long enough and will move
the wrld"
Give me sufficient motive power, and I will
accomplish all but impossibilties.p
! Famine had looked into the lodge of the ,n,,ar.
! a fortnight these young men had been shut uv
I waiting for the storm to cease. PORK and meal
flour and coffee, all gone! In such wilderness
who should bring relief Did travellers eve. ysit
that deep gulchs
1t IS not well to think much of home The bean
soup goes down easier when We forget the spread
table and white CLOTH the delicious milk and whi:s
bread the pies and cakes the apples and peaches OF
happy New England
1t was terrible winter u California, such a.
had been unknown before and this was one OF Ire
hereest storms The youths pressed forward. Life
and delth were in the contest Up the steep as-
cent they Climbed, holding on 10 the branches OF
the snow-clad trees, and now at every step the
snow became deeper. Often losing their way in the
forest, where only blazed trees denoted the patb-
way, they wandered unayailiagly for many a mile.
At night, worn out with toll and hunger the store
made of logs ia the little settlement was reached:
bat return was not to be thought Of that night.
Alfred slept but little; my poor sick brother alone
in that solitary valley.
With what care have nursel him these many
months"
How aHxioasly have watched over him and
gone rom place 10 place because he could not bear
the climate and after ALL tear he viii perishi'
There are other watchers that night, besides Al
fred, that think Of the absent ones Thousands OF
miles away are restless pillows pressed By aching
heads throbbing hearts fearful anxieties If il he
well with the lads, help on the prayer Of faith. and
are powerful forces to send t up to the throne OF
God. Prayers waited the vessel that bore the pre-
cious freight! Prayer flew upon every breeze
around Cape Horn. Prayer went down into the
deep, damp gueh, and up to the mountain cliff
Prayer looked into the lodge and stood By the side OF
the fainting boy. Mountains may rise, and oceans
roll, But thank God the swift wings Of prayer can
touch every spot of earth and lift every sufferer up
to the throne Of God JENNY is borne aloft during
the days and nights, on the incense Of prayer fer-
ever ascending from the home altar. The storm
ceases The morning SUI gilds the tree-tnps laden
with the snowy fleece. 1t glances over the smooth,
untrod surface, but hours must pass before a single
CLEAN can slant far down that dark leclivity The
ravens brought no food. but Jenny yet Iyes. Pc
lief il near. though he knew it not as De Law "a
tiently enduring the weakness OF hunger. The mes
senger stands on the topmOst eli. See. he de-
scends traveller has lost his way in tina dark
ness of the night aud the pelting. storm. lie IS
heavily burdened with supplies for distant nil g
claim He looks far down the steep, and sees the
curling smoke from that pile Of eyergreens, and is
attracted TO the spot So down he slides. catching
by boughs and roots. He unstrap5 his bag OF
flour ard enters the lodge. The meal was quickly
prepared Gu brief acquaintance and the fsmished
youth was strengthened. Guest feeds guest. and
Jenny is taken care Of that day Night comes
again. but the cold is Intense Footsteps are heard
close to the lodge. The young men have safely re-
turned. Death was in the wild, and more than
once looked them in the face. One Of them fell
down in the snow and begged TO be left alone to
alone to die. But bis companion dragged him ou
and reused him back to life
California! land Of the wretched and forsakenl
Land Of golden treasures and precious stones! Land
of prayers and land Of promise The cradle of Lib
erty and love! science and reIigiOn On every moua-
tain top shall yet Hoat the signal of the Prince Of
Pesce; and thy rich valleys shall echo songs Of re-
deeming love-
Gather some profit to thy soul, wheresOsver thOu
be.