Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-19

~. saS Souhu Vi Tie uOWllDR 6LOrtn.
Then it suddenly seemed as if the whole
earth was torn from it's foundations; far,
lar away on it came, like the crash Of a
thousand cannons; then nearer and near.
er 1t roared, spreading wild and terrible
overthrow and narrowing desolation
around.
Almighty God, hurricane :" Tom
cried, starting up in terror, for at the
same moment the storm reached them.
The giant trunks, which had withstood
centuries, bowed like thin twigs, and
with one blow that struck terror TO the
hearts OF the listeners, the whole forest
was moved level with the earth by the
hand Of the Almighty.
The hurricane ragged further and fur.
ther with frightful velocity: ior miles
around it overthrew the tall oaks. and
hurled them like reeds to the ground; for
miles around it marked its path with
desolation and destruction; but silence.
grave-hke silence, followed in its track.
and rested over the widely. scattered
trees; not breath was stirring, and the
caimness OF death, after this horriiyin>
outbreak OF the elements, affected the
poor heart OF mortal with more ago
nizlng shudder than it bad felt even in The
most terrible fury of the storm.
Bill had miraculously escaped, without
even the slightest injury; clinging tight
ly to an immense tree that had previous.
ly fallen; another oak that had fell across
it only served to save him, as it guarded
hlm from the other continually falling
branches and smaller trees; but now, as
soon as the first most pressing danger
passed, he jumped up and cried, filled
with terror, to his brother:
"Tom-brother Tom-do answer.
Tom. Great God! has such a terrible
end fallen to your sharel'
No! it would have been better for him
II that had been his lot; he still lived,
and his weak voice at 10 great distance,
struck the hunters attentive ear.
i" AIl-mercitul Heavens ~ the latter
cried when he had quickly leaped over
couple of trees lying in his way, and
with blazing pine torch in his hand,
stood before him he sought.
AIl-merciful Heavens ~ he repeated
in almost maddering agony, and covered
his face with his hands, for close to him.
as pale as corpse, with both his thighs
buried beneath an immense oak, which
was shattered from top to bottom, Law
his Tom, his brother, the playmate of
his youth, the darling of his heart.
:. 1t very cold" the unhappy man
whispered, and looked up imploringly to
the hunter who apparently incapable of
any further movement, stood near him
as if hewn out Of stone-"it's very
cold, Bill can't you bring me little
fire z"
The words broke the charm which
seemed to possess his half unconscious
brother.
Tom, Tom ~ he cried, as he threw
himself with groans on the mutilated
body of his dearest companion.
You hurt me, Bill, the latter en-.
treated my arms pain me, and it is so
cold"
Wait, you shall have fire in few
seconds" Bill now cried, as he sprung
hastily up, Il" lie there minute longer,
and Ii fetch you some ashes, and then
help you up-only moments patience"
and in haste he flew back to the still
burning campfire. All he did not no.
ticc the features of the unhappy man, as
he begged him to have patience. He
hurriedly collected all the ashes and
burning wood his arms could hold--the
flames scorcbing his hunting shirt and
hards-he did not notice it, and flew
back to his brothers side, plenty of
drift wood lay around, and in few mo.
moments a bright, cheering fire flared
by the side of the tree, under whose
giant weight the poor fellow lay buried
alive.
Bill now regarded with shudder the
terrible scene, and madly threw himself
on the tree, which hundred men could
not have raised, and tried his utmost
strength on an imposSibility.
Bill !" Tom gently begged him,
como here; come, give me your hand
that's right. And now, Bill, do you
really love me 2"
A convulSive grasp of his brothers
hand answered the question; speak he
could not, for the tears he had sup
pressed with difficulty suffocated every
sound.
Will you do me service :" Tom
implored, drawing the unresisting man
closer TO him.
a service !" Bill Whispered q
service! What can you ask that |
would not do for you if it was in my
power 2"
You promise to do its 2"
"What is it Z" the hunter asked, in
terror.
Take your rife, Tom begged. "and
put au end to my sufferings.
Tom" the brother cried, as he sprung
up in horror.
"Put an end to my sufferings," the
unhappy man entreated. "Bill brother
| if you ever loved me, prove it now. Do
not let me perish here, slowly and hor-
ribly." .. -,-.
Il will stve you if it costs me my
life, Bill cried. "I will return with