Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-02-27

behind her, and was pluuging wildly down
the snow-flled path. The storm was over.
the clouds were beginning to break, and let
down the rays of the moon, whose broad
disc bad just risen above the horizon. But
while tue snow had ceased to fall, the cold
had grown more intense, and the wrath Of
the wind was nothing spent.
Madiy il swept across the extended plain,
converting it in aspect to stormy sea, where
foam-erested waves chase and dash upon
each other, like wrangling demons. Onward
tol'ed that solitary female, through the
binding, sufoeating snow which was con-
sequeHtly being hurled against her; though
an occasional blast, forcer than tue others.
compelled her to halt for moment, aud
bury her face in the folds Of her cloak
Then her slender form, swaying to and fro
as If it had been a yielding sapliug, seemed
as If it must be borne down, but affection,
deep, all powerful affection buoyed her up
and led her forward.
1t was dreary waste ever which she had
to pass; no cottage window sent forth
cheering gleam only a snow-covere d plain
and barren trees, in the distance, could be
seen. No power could have summoned hu-
man aid to the spot; the direst shrek Of
distress would have been wasted OH the air.
And now, when nearly a mile lay between
her and home, the wife felt herself exhaust
ed, and benumbed BY cold to degree tina
she could proceed no further. TIE sharp
winds pierced her garments as if they had
oeen but robe of muslin, and put to the
torture every fibre of her frame Her limbs
refused longer to obey her will, her breath
was gone, Der very hearts blood seemed
turned to ice. She tottered, fell, and the
same blast that bore her down, wrapped her
in shroud of snow.
But exerting herself to the utmost, she
rose TO her feet again, for her last glance
had rested on dark object short distance
in advance, and the possibility of its being
him she sought, nerved her to make one
more effort. Fixing her eyes upon the
object which haa4ttraeted her attention,
she struggled forward, and reached it just as
her last remnant Of strength was expanded.
| |. was indeed her husband. He had con-
tended with the elements, till chilled, wear
Z
led, and almost breathless, then had sunk
down in tie path in order 20 recover HIM
self for further effort No thought of
perishing had passed the strong mans mind;
but no sooner did muscular action cease,
than the Iethargy which but for timely
breaking had ended in death, was upon bin.
All sense Of suffering fed, gay colors loated
before his sight, aud the sound of the angry
blast seemed sweetest music.
lie sat With his feet drawn up, and his
head bowed upon his kuees. How long be
bad remained thus be knew not, when the
voice Of lis wife exclaiming, THANK God
we die together" sounded family in his
ears, aud the same instant be felt her pros
trate form aud encircling arms. These quick
ly reused him to a sense of their situation,
and that sense warmed the congealing life
current, and sent it lightning-like through
its channels.
The knowledge of the danger, the certain
death to which bis idolized companion was
exposed, and from which he alone conld save
her at oace raised him above the power ot
fatigue and cold Starting to his feet, be
foleed her insensible form to his bosom, and
bore it toward their home, as if she had been
the merest infant.
| The blast to him was but zephyr, the
snow drifts but unresisting air. He paused
not until the cottage was reached: where the
wife was presently restored to animation:
and both to happiness. Each had saved the
other from fearful DEATH
+ a SCATTERED FAMHY.-A red haired,