Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-02-21
z Capital STORY.
AN INCIDENT OF WESTERN LIFE.
BY Il. W. DAVIES

On distant prairie, at nightfall, n
way-worn and weary traveller was over
taken by a snowstorm. When the first
few flakes came softly dropping down, he
looked eagerly around in hope of discov-
ering place of shelter, but none was to
be seen-only the trackiess waste of roll
ing lands and far off hills in the direction
whittier he was going-so far off that he
never should reach them. With the de-
parture of light the snow began falling
faster. the wind blew kecner, the road
over the prairie was soon hidden from
view, and the traveller felt that he was lost
on trackless waste, without star tc
guide him across the dangerous country
This is terribe!" said he aloud. 81
tear much i shall never come to my des
tination. If | had but compass and I
! light | should not fear, for | could resi-,
the effects of cold long enough to reacl
the hills, and there should find human
habitations. or at least the shelter of
rock. Now, ! may go in circle till
freeze, and be no nearer help. What
fool was, to leave the river side anC
cross the prairie just for the sake of few
miles more or less journey. No matter
| must ever battle it out now, Heaven
helping"
And battle it out he did, most manful
ly. lie drew his cap down over his ear,
and brow, and his fur collar up over hi,
mouth and thrusting his hands deeper il
his pockets, pressed on through the yield
ing snow. The gloom increased, tn,
wind came sharper. and through his heavy
clothes the traveller began to feel the ef
iects of the cold. His feet grew numb
his arms chilled, and after an hours rap
id walking; he suddenly paused.
GLOW do know whither | am going?
he exclaimed. "Pcrhaps have alread,
turned aside from the straight line, and
am wandering on the verge of destruction
o. that | could shake off this drows,
feeling that is stealing over me. | know
what it is--thc precursor of rest in thi
cold winding sheet OF snow. Great lIcav
en- am freezing to dcath!' shriekcd he
bounding forward with renewed energy
-action-acton is life, and life i
too sweet to lose yet"
Ho hurried along with n springing mo
tion. stamping his feet vigorously n
every step, and swinging his arms to kee
the blood in circulation. Yet with al
his efforts he knew that the angel of deaf
was folding his white wings silently bu
surely around him.
"Despair--no." he cried, mot Will
the memory of my wife and dear childre
is left me, l will struggle on for you
sakes, and fight to the last extremity. -
o, just Heaven, for the sake of the limo
cent ones whose only stay is my rigl
arm, help me to resist--help mo to tr
umph -
At this moment he plunged into ho
low. his feet strobe over ice, and he hear
the voice of q streamlet, singing of life a
action beneath its icy crust. Al the ban
time the smell Of wood-smoke saluted h.
nostrils.
80. Thou, who rcignest above" said h,
II thank Thee that Thou hast heard IN
prayer. Help is near me-"
He reoled heavily onward through III
binding snow. and saw just before him
low she'd, ono more struggle aud he ce
against it. In an instant ho OWNED il
character. With last desperate strul
gle h, found the door. threw il open, an
rushing in, flung himself ut full length u;
on the floor; knowing only that no wa
in an atmosphere recking with the fume
Of bacon, and warm with tho smok thg
rose from pan of smothered GOALS in tl
centre of the place 1t was a settler
rude smoke house, left to care for itse
during the long winters night, and III
Travellers grateful heart sent up tribut
to Heaven for this place of refuge in tn
desert of snow.
In the log cabin in the valley of tn
streamlet, Milly Dean sat alone. Ii,
husband had gone to distant town, an
the young wife was left with her babe
Accustomed to the solitude, she felt sal
and sat in contentment before the blazir
fire; the flames leaped right ioyfully ,
the chimney, and the green logs sizz,
and cracked in the heat like things
lie. Out doors. the wind was howlir
drearily. and the snow falling heavil