Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1855-02-24
THE SNOW STORM.

Care. BY Clergyman's Widow
From the advance sheets we extract the
annexed touching and suggestive sketch,
the scene of which is laid in California: /:
Well, how deep is the snow, on a
levell called James from his bed of
spruce branches, as he lay in the miners
cabin in one of tho deep gulches of the
Sierra Nevada.
"About ten feet, preplied his brother,
plunging his heavy cane into the huge
drifts which had blocked them up, ma
king further progress impossible to the
poor invalid.
1.-THE clouds are breaking, and ifyou
are not afraid to be left alone, we
will beat our way TO the store and get
provisions, if possible
81 don't like camping here much
longer with nothing to eat, ] confess.-
Our last pint Of beans was divided for
our breakfast. We may perish in the
snow. We certainly shall die here"
"How far'is tito the store, Alfred"
said the sick boy. lllg atf. q.
"Abou, twelve miles. Il hate toleave
you, dear James," looking sorrowfully
on the pale face which revealed deep
lines Of suffering and despondency.-
81. will be so lonely, andito leave you
with nothing to put to yodr.lips /, butll
hope to- get back tonight. I'VE will do
our very best, so YOU will cheerup,
dear brother 8 keep a good heart!" d
!, In q shorttimc the two young men
were equipped in skins aud goolen
caps, ready te battle the storm. which
was again collecting its forces. Once
tiiore Alfred looked at bis brother. strug.
Cling harl-to keep down the rising tear
as he Thought Of his mother at home, and
the solemn charge "neyer to leave his
brother" p -. n 5,-'s so1.,,S
"lt must be right 1.see nothing else
to be done poor James I-fear we shall
never meet again GAIN The little tin cup
Of water stood near for the parchsd
lips, and alone in that rugged cabin,
with no earthly comfort, ilaythe feeble
youth, amidst the furious storm which
blew thick and fast upon lis upprotecti
edbed. sra 4e.ss faftslsa' r !:
Snow flakes whirled into the ledge,
hiding away in the folds of the hlanketi !
but the branches cracked and blazed on
the fire, and tho invalid, long Injured
to hardships, rousing up his courage, de-
termined to be as hopeful as possible.
On vert the travellers with brisk
steps, but the few spoonfuls of bean
soup was sorry breakfast for the toll
some days work.
"Give me lever long enough, aud
l will move the world"
"Giye me sufficient motive power
and | will accomplish all but impossi-
biIities."
Famine had looked into the lodge Of
the miners. A fortnight these young
men had been shut. up, waiting for the
storm to cease. Pork aud meal, -four
and coffee, all gone! In such a wilder.
ness, who should bring relief2 Did
travellers ever visit that deep gulch9
1t is not well 10 think much of home
The bean soup goes down easier when
we forget the spread table and white
cloth, the delicious milk and white
brcad, the pies and cakes, tho apples
of happy New England.
1t was terrible winter in California,
such as had been unknown before, and
this was one of the iiercest storms. The
youths pressed forward. Life and death
was in The contest. Up the steep as
cent they climbed holding on to the
branches of the snow clad trees, aud
now at every step the snow became
deeper. Often losing their way in the
forest, where only blazcd trees denoted
the pathway, they wandered unayailing-
ly for many mia. At tnight worn out
with toll and hunger, the store, made
Of logs, in the little settlement, was
reached, butreturn was not to be thought
of that night. Alfred slept but little i;
my poor sick brother alone in that
solitary valley!"
with what care have | iarsed him
these many months.'
"How anxiously have | watched over
him aud gone from place to place, be-
cause he could not bear the climate;
aud after all fear he will perish!
There arc other watchers, that night
besides Alfred, who think Of tic alb.
sent ones. Thousands of miles away,
are restless pillows. fearful anxieties "if
il be well with the lads" help on tho
prayer of faith, aud are powerful forces
10 send ii up 10 the throne Of Cod
Prayer waited the vessel that bore the
precious freight. Prayer few upon ev-
cry CRY breeze around Cape Horn. Pray
or went down into tbedeepdamp golch
and UP to the mountain cliff. Prayer
Iooksfintoabc lodge aud stood by the
side Of the. fainting boy. Mountains
may rise and oceans roll, but, thark
God, the swift wings of prayer can
y