Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-10-15

ner was n small Stove, winch WAS lnsuun'
cient TO warm the room. There were no
chairs, 50 we perched ourselves on trunks,
boxes, Sc, around the stove, trying to
keep warm.
Supper hour arriving, Johnny, a bright
eyed lad, prepared us n meal that would
have done honor to one Of longer expert
ence. Composed of few dishes and
simple in preparation, ! never partook Of
one with keener relish. Supper over,
we prepared for the night by cutting a
quantity Of wood, sufficient to last ill
morning.
There were three beds, arranged like
births. The lady VAS to occupy one, the
boys another, and the third was assigned
to me. Early in the evening, | resigned
the position of stoker, and climbed up to
my bed, hoping to obtain a little sleep,
but with poor success, as the bed clothing
was scanty, and the cold was nov intense,
which caused frequent revolutions, each
one serving to let IN a fresh supply of air.
Our host and two Of my companions, how
cred around the stove, trying TO keep COM
Portable, but with little better success.
Slowly wore away the night, as | laid
shivering with COLI, and listening to the
bowling winds as they went sweeping by.
Every blast caused our frail habitation to
creek and sway before its mighty force,
sometimes seeming impossible for 1t TO
survive the storm. At length morning
came, and with il a lull in the winds.
On going out all was quiet, and Old Sol
was Just peering above the horizon, reflect
ing his eGulgent rays on the crystalized
snow, that covered the prairie; and
as the sky was cloudless, such a sun rise
was indeed beautiful. The half buried
hack was visible in the distance, looming
up from that broad expanse, like the hulk
of a stranded vessel, " with masts and
cordage gone"
Our supply of wood getting short, a
quantity was hauled by hand, with ropes,
from a distant grove.
We watched with great anxiety, for
the coming of the driver; Blu, he did not
arrive ill afternoon. From him we learn
ed the difficulties encountered while going
to the station. Blinded by the storm, they
lost the road, and went several miles out of
their way, but fortunately came to another
that was known to the driver, and finally
succeed in reaching the station nearly ex-
hausted.
The hack was dug out Of the snow,
and returned to the Cabin. We then bid
) good bye to our worthy friend at Beach
{ Farm, who lad so kindly taken Us in and
y done all that was in his power, to make
y us comfortable.
Il Ii was sun set when we arrived at the
{ station, and once more in comfortable
u quarters, we began to have a realizing
d sense of the condition we had been in
since the beginning of the storm. Fol
e twenty.four hours we had no, been com
{ foriably warm.
. The following morning was cold ant
s clear and soon after breakfast, were OF
p our way. Arrived at Newton at moor
&c where we stopped for dinner. When w
Y entered the hotel, not a cloud was to b
seen, bu, on coming out we were surprised
n 10 see the sky over-shadowed with clouds
III and indications of an approaching storm
Is Here we reluctantly parted with one G
y our number. who had largely contribute
to the sociabili,y of the journey. Hi
III place, however, was taken by anolhe
:. gentleman.
Before reaching the next station, !
miles distant, a snow storm set in, but ha
ceased when we arrived there, and "
= concluded to proceed. We had not g6n
: over two miles when it commenced storm
ing and became so violent, as to render
impossible to keep the horses in the roa'
- With great reluctance the driver yielde
to our entreaties. AS night was comm
= on and having just emerged from oil
Northwestern, we we're not disposed to n
- the risk of remaining out all night on Ii
- prairie, in a stage coach, which we inc
certainly would have done, had we gor
farther. We had gone but a short di
' lance on our return, when the coach stu'