True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-20
z. Raglan, Editor and Proprietor,

ever, He was told that no other road in.
tersected his-that he would see no human
hGbitation for seventeen miles and that
he would cross the mountain.
The sun was not more than half on
hour high, by the young preachers watch
when he arrived at the mountains base.-
The ascent was steep and difficult, and il
some places even dangerous. The distance
over three miles, and there he would find
shelter for the night. After he had gained
the summit, he was fearful that he haC
missed his way. He could perceive nc
signs of it-there were no trees stand.
ing there, nothing but few stuntet
bushes, and vines, and long grass, and these
were all bending with the weight of snow
The thought that he was bewildered and
lost on the mountain. and night with all
its horrors just at hand, was, by no means,
pleasant reflection. He pressed forward
as rapidly as practicable without any road
or knowledge of the course, entirely bewil.
dered. He reached the brow of the noun.
tain, just Us Night was drawing her dark
mantle over hill and dale but here he
found the descent impracticable, and il
was with no small share of difficulty that
he succeeded at last in finding q place
whereby dismounting, and sliding on his
hands and feet, and forcing his poor horse
over huge stones and frightfll chasms-he
made his way to the valley beneath.
He was now in complete darkness
Briars, vines, and the deep tangled under.
growth, as well as fallen trunks and branch.
es Of huge forest trees, impeded his pro.
gress. This was an hour of trial. All
hope of reaching house, that night, now
faded from his mind. He had no means Of
obtaining fire, and, should he even escape
from panthers and wolves, of which, as he
knew there was no scarcity, he felt sure
that he would freeze to death before morn
ing. But what could he do! He stopped
and was standing by his horse, and shiver-
ing with cold. He began to conclude that
he had pretty we'll run his race, and must
perish there, in the lone, wild woods, with
none to witness his last agony. Just as
despair was claiming him as a victim, he
distinctly heard the sound of an axe-some
one was chopping wood not six hundred
yards distant. Inspired with fresh hope,
he pressed forward, thinking to get to
some house, or perhaps to some hunters
camp, where, at least, he could find fire.
In few moments he found road. He
then mounted his horse. and soon saw the
glimmering of FIRE, and heard the voices ol
children.
Here was small log house, with no
fence around it. There seemed to be no
other house, crib or stable, at hand. A lad
was chopping wood-six or eight dogs bar
ked firiously at the stranger, as he rode
up; but were pacifed by single word
from the young wood-chopper. A woman
came to the door. He asked her if he could
find entertainment for the night.
"Well, indeed sir" said she, "'tis q
mighty bad chance!"
But madam, ! know ofno other. 1t is
very cold and dark, and I'm almost frozen.
I wish to stay, if you can only permit me
to sit by your fire."
eyes, sir, you can stay. We're nigh
ty poor people; but we can feeG your horse.
and give you such fare as we have every
day."
"That'll do, madam,-It is all that I
can ask"
"Light sir, and come! John Ito the
boy) take this mans horse and turn out old
Speck, and put him in the pen and give
him some corn. Children get out Of the
gentleman's way! Here, sir take that
stool. We are too poor to have chairs!"
The floor was earthen, beaten hard and
made smooth. The chimney was of rude
construction, and there was large fire Of
hickory logs burning, as Alfred Walton
drew up before it. At one side Of the fire
place, was table, made by driving foul
small stakes into the ground, and laying
two horizontal poles, on which rough oak.
en- boards were placed. At this table sal
three men, each on a stool, and intently
engaged in a game fcards. Beside the
cards, bottle and q tin cup occupied theii
respective places on the table, evidently
for the convenience of this interesting trio
One Of the men seized the bottle and cur
and poured out a portion Of the contents o
the former into the latter, and Offering it t
Mr.. Walton, said: here's something t.
warm you better than the FIRE. Try some.
"Thank you, sir" said the preacher
81 can warm soon by this fire, and ! d.
not wish to drink any spirits"
!" May be the young gentlemen belongs
to the temperance" suggested the woman
"If he does," said the man, "what o.
u! This is case Of necessity"