Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-15
MISC ELL A N Y.
The Snow StGrns .

IGpD1n y URum0r". OF Boston, are soon
10 issue a work entitled, The Recorded
WIN. or. Truth aud not Fiction, remarka-
blv Illustrating Provi1enhal Care. BY a
Cierryman's Widow" From the advance
sheets we extract the annexed touching and
suggestive sketch, the scene of which Is
laid in California
.tWell how deep is the snow, on lev
ell ;" called James from his bed of spruce
branches, as lie lay in the miners cabin in
one of the deep gulches of the Sierra Ne
vada.
About ten feet" replied his brother,
pIunsing his heavy cane into the huge
drifts which had blocked them up, making
further progress impossible to the poor m
valid.
The clouds are breaking, and if you are
not afraid to be left alone, we will beat our
way to the store and get provisions, IT pos
sible."
81 don't like camping here much longer
with nothing to eat, ! confess. Our last
pint of beans was divided for our breakfast.
We m,g perish in the snow. We certainly
shall die here"
How far is it to the store, Alfredo said
the sick boy.
about twelve miles. hate 10 leave
YOU, dear James" looking >orrowluIly on
the pale face which revealed deep lines ol
suffering aud deSpondenCy. at will be 50
lonely, and to leave YOU with nothing to
put to your lips; but | hope to get back to-
night. We will do our very best, so you
will cheer up. dear brother; keep good
heart -
In short time the two young men were
EQUIPPED in skins and woollen caps. ready
10 battle the storm, which was again col
Iectlng IT'S forces. Once more Alfred look
ed at his brother, struggling hard with the
rising tear as he thought of hi, mother al
home aud the solemn charge "never to
leave his brother"
cit must be right, see nothing lse to be
done, poor James. | fear we shall neveg
meet again" The little lin cup of water
5 0 ID near for the parched lips, and alone
in that rug sed cabin, with no earthly COM
fort, lay the feeble youth amidst the iurl-
Gus storm which blew thick and fast upon
his unprotected bed.
Snow fakes whirled into the lodge. hi
ding away in the folds OF the blanket; but
the branches cracked and bIazed on the
fire. anu the invalid, long inuJe to hard
ship, rou<lng up his courage, determined to
be as hopeful as possible.
On went the travellers with brisk steps,
but the few spoonfuls of bean soup was a
sorry breakfast for the toilsome days work.
Give me lever, long enough aud will
move the world"
Give me a sufficient motive power, and
| will accomplish all but lmposs5iIlties."
Famine had looked into the lodge of the
miners. A fortnight these young men had
been shut up. waiting tor the storm TO
cease. Pork and meal, flour and coffee, a
gone! In such wilderness who should
bring relief? Did travellers ever visit that
deep gulch
1t is not we'll to think much Of home -
The bean soup goes down easier when we
forget the spread table and wnite cloth, the
delicious milk and white bread, the pies
and cakes, the apples and peaches ofhappy
New England.
1t was terrible winter in California,
such as had been unknown before, and this
was one OF the fercest stormS. The youths
pressed forward. Life and death was IN
the contest. Up the steep ascent they
climbed, holding ON to the branches OF the
snow-clad trees, and nov at every step the
snow became deeper Often losing their
way in the forest, where only blazed trees
denoted the pathway, they wandered una
vaiIingly for many mile. At night, worn
out with toll and hunger, the store, made
of logs, in the little settlement, was reach
ed. but return was not to be thought OF that
night Alfred slept but little; my poor
sick brother alone IN that solitary valley!
"Wrth what care have nursed him these
many months"
How anxiously have I watched over
him and gone from place to place, because
ne could not bear the climate; aud after all,
fear be will perish p
There are other watchers that night, be-
sides Alfred, that think OF the absent ones
Thousands OF miles away, are restless pill
lows, pressed by aching heads: : throbbIng
hearts. fearful auxleues "ii it be we'll with
the lads" help on the prayer OF la'th' and
are powerful forces to send 1t up to the
throue OF God. Prayers waited the vessel
that bore the precious freight Prayer flew
upon every breeze around Cape Horn
Prayer went down into the deep, damp
sulch and up 10 the mountain clllf Prayer