Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-12-05
The Last Meal.

-ii- w y
of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, Pcnnsy /.
vauia, the H,nesiaie Democrat gives the
following affecting incident.
For want of help to raise this cabin, it
was built of poles; it was about twelve by
fourteen feet on the ground, ard had but
one room. After he had raised it to such
height that he could stand upright in it,
the poles were gradually drawn III on each
side till they met at the ridge. Upon these
we're laid hemlock bark for roof A few
stones were LAID for a hearth, and built up
few feet in the rear. to form protection
against the fire. Upon this platform were
piled huge logs, from which the smoke as
cended aud found its way through au open
ing left in the room for this purpose. The
cabin stood with its ends east and west
Windows it had none. He was able to
bring but little household furniture into
this wilderness. He, therefore, made use
of such as he could hastily make with
few tools, from the native forest. There
we're no cabinet -makers-no saw-mills
In,o this humble dwelling he moved his
family on the tenth day of April, 1871.
During this season be had the society of
few settlers, who had come without their
families to begin Improvements. They all
left, however, in the autumn. He, with
his family, remained alone in this vast
wilderness to spend the winter. 1t proved
to be a severe one He had raised scanty
supply, which he hoped by proper care
would be sufficient His nearest neighbor
lived about fourteen miles from him. Not
the sound of human voice was heard ,ex-
cept those of his own family. With them
he found his companions; with them he
shared the wants and trials of the winter;
with them the dreary nights and linger-
ing months passed away. The storm rush
ed around his rude cabin, searching out its
crevices, or rearing mimic Alps about his
door.
But our solitary pioneer had other aud
more formidable obstacles to encounter
He was obliged to bring his hay, for two
cows aud yoke of oxen, from beaver
meadow distance Of nearly two miles.
His wife in his absence, while attending
on the duties of her household, had step.
ped upon the ice, slipped, and fractured a
bone in her ancle.. Privatiobs and expo
sure brought on a severe cold. This was
soon accompanied with high fever. Soon
her mind wandered, unconscious of her con-
dition. The storm rushed around the poor
" covered cabin and sifted the snow upon
her bed. Her youngcs. child, an infant
of about FIVE months, also sickened. A
raging fever had destroyed its natural ali
ment. His cows afforded no substitute for
it. 1t rapidly declined under sickness and
hunger. His stock Of provisions was
nearly exhausted. His potatoes had fro.
Ecu by the unexpected severity of the win
ter. But even without this loss he would
have had a scauty supply. He saw with
regret that his provisions we're not sufi-
cient to supply even the limited wants of
his family. There were none to assist him
or relieve him one moment in the care of
his children, and his now more than help
less wife. No kind voice greeted him du-
ring those lonely and trying mon,hs-no
hand brough relief. Obliged by these cir.
cumstances to remain at home, he saw
hunger, famine and perhaps death, coming
upon his family with steady and relentless
step. The deer, the elk, the bear, aud the
panther roamed in these uubrokeu wilds
but our pioneer had no means of taking
the animals that prowled around his dwell
ing. At length his food for his family
was nearly exhausted. He had for several
days kept his children on a small allow.
ance, taking scarcely nothing himself He
still hoped that God would send relief.
He divided bis last provisions until they
we're reduced to single meal. Before be
distributed this be hesita,ed. He looked
over his beloved family, and his heart was
moved. There, in the corner of the room
lay his wife, SO wasted under disease and
want that the light of reason had become
e.tnguished. BY her side lay an infant
cn,id, piniug away for want of the aliment
suited to its years. On either side of him
were bis two little children, looking up to
h'm with fearful eyes for bread. He arose
And took the last morsel and divided it be.
tween them. 1t was a trying hour. With.
out speedy relief those helpless children