Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-04-14

proud heart fulfilled. And, IN due tine, brloai
chimes were rung, though Marion was not
there 10 bear them; FOR her evil presence no
longer asrkened the hearth OF Granger ball.
INCIDENT OF WESTERN LIFE
BY Z. ". DAVIES.
On distant prairie, at nightfalI, wayworn
and weary traveller was overtaken BY snow
storm when The first few fakes came softly
dropping down, be looked eagerly around in
the hone OF discerning a place Of shelter, but
none was to be seen; only the trackless waste
Of rolling lands and far-ofhiils 10 the direction
whittier be was gOing-so Far of that be feared
be should never reach them. y IT'D the de-
nsrture Of light the snow began to fall faster,
the wind blew keener, the read over the prairie
was soon hidden from view, and the Traveller
felt that be was lost on a traekless waste
without a star to guide him across the danger
Gus country.
'sTbis is terrible" be said, aloud 81 fear
much ] shall never come to my destination. II
had but A compass and light | should not
fear, for I could resist the effects Of cold long
enough to reach the hills, and there / should
find human hs Affiliations, or at least the shelter
Of a rock. Now, may 90 in a circle till I
freeze, and be no nearer help. What a fool I
was. TO leave the river side and cross the prai-
ris, Just FOR the sake Of fsw miles more or
less j0urneyi No matter, must even battle it
out now, Heaven helpine.o
And battle It out he did most manfulIy. He
drew bis cap down over his ears and brow, and
his fur collsr up over his mouth, and tbrrsting
bis hands deeper in his pocks's, pressed on
through the yielaing snow. The gloom in
creased, the wind came sharper and through
bis heavy clothes the traveller began to feel the
effects Of the cold. His feet grew numb, bis
arms chilled, and after an hours rapid walk
ing, he suddenly paused.
fHow do I know whittier an going2'' e
exclaimed. Perhaps have already turned
aside from the straight line, and am wander
ing on the vsrge Of destruction. o, that
could shake of this drowsy feeling that is
stealing over me. know what It is-the pre-
cursor Of a rest In this cold winding sheet Of
snow. Great heaven, ] am freezing to DEATH"
sbTieked be, bounding forward with renewed
energy. "Action-action-actfo Is life. and
life IS too sweet to lose yeto
He hurried along with a springing motion,
stamping his feet vigorously at every step, and
swingiPghis arms to keen the blood In eireuls-
iiol. Yet with allh his efforts, be knew that
the angel OF death was folding bis white wings
silently but surely around him.
"Despair2 no,D be cried, "not while the
memory Of ny beloved wife and desr children
is left to me. l viii struggle on for your sakes,
and fight The s'orm fend to the last extremity.
o, iust heaven, for the sake OF the innocent
ones whose only stay is my right arm-help
me to resist-help me to triumhh.o
At this moment be plunged into a bsllow,
bis feet strode rver ice, and he heard the voice
Of a stresmlet singing Of hfe and action be-
meath is icy ernst. At the ssme time the
smell Of wood smoke saluted his nostrils.
90, thou who reignest above be eJsculated,
al thank thee that thou hast heard my prayer.
Help is near me-"
He reeled heavily onward through the blind
ing snow, and saw Just before him low shed;
one more struggle, and he fell against It. In
an instant be OWNED its character. With a
last desperate effort be found the door, threw it
open, and rushing in, flung himself at full
length upon the floor, knowing only that be
was in an atmosphere resking with tbs fumes
Of bacon, and warm with the smoke which
rose from pan OF smothere1 Goals in the CEN
ter Of the place. twas a settlers rude smoke
house, left TO take care OF itself during the
long winters night, and the travellers grateful
heart sent up tribute TO heaven for this place
Of refuge in the desert Of snow.
In large log cabin in the valley Of the
strehmiet, Milv Dean sat alone Her husband
had gone TO distant town, and the young wife
was left with her baby. Accustomed 10 the
solitude, she felt safe, and sat in eontentmsnt
before the blazing fire; the flames lssped right
ioyfuly up the chimney, and the green logs
siZZled and cracked in the heat like things OF
life. Out doors, the wind was blowing dresr
ily, and the snow falling heavily; but Miily
cared not, for 1t only made the fire more
cheerful
There came a rspping at the door.
CHOW strange. Who can be at the door in
rufNd n fuk ka uaF 70 sha
rose and went into the little entry.
The rapping was repeated.
"WhO is there?n she asked
HFor Heavens sake, let me in an frsez-
ing to death" was the reply.
'fWho are you, and how cane you in this
lonely place on such an evening as this ?n
az an a traveller from below lost my
way, and an dying with cold For pitY's
sake, let me in, or shall perish"
Mily hssitated. She was alone, and It was
three miles to the nearest neighbot's What
should she do She paused in perplexity.
40, save me-save me am diving ~ were
the woIds that met her hearing. There was a
very heavy fsll against the sill, and then low
means. Her woman nature could stand no
more; true 70 the instincts Of her being. she
unbarred the door and threw it open close.
ly mrfisd figure reeIsd by Der into the room,
and shutting the door, she followed. On
reaching the fire place the stranger threw of
bis disguise, and stood erect and strong, with
out a sign Of Inconvenience from the effects OF
tae weather. Mile retreated from him in
amazement; but recovering berself, and put
ting the best face on tie matter, she tremu-
louslJ addressed the man:
al an sorry, sir, you are so cold Il is
bitter night to be abroad. Will you sit by the
fre?" and she pushed a chair forward
The man made no response, but STOPPING
over, ran his fingers through the blaze. Then
be turned and sarel at her with look that
made her blood run cold. bright thought
came into her mind She would pretend there
were others in the house, for she already felt
afraid Of The man, and bitterly regretted hav-
ing admitted him.
"Wouls you like to see some of The men
folks, sir?'' she inquired "If So | will call
them from their bedso
The man laughed hoarsev and replied:
fMillv Dean, for that believe il your pa me.
you cannot deceive me. You are all alone in
this house. ] took particular care 10 ascer-
tain that before | came. So You may as well
make yourself easy on that score, and DO as I
bid your
'Do as you bid me?" exclaimed MiIlv, In
terror; "What do you want OF ms?o
81 want the twelve hundred dollars in gold
your husband received for his produce two
days ago. You probably know where il is -
escaped, but the stranger caught her by The
wrist, and dragged her roughly back.
"Kou cannot escape me, young woman" be
said. "You viii find ht most convenient to
make a clean breast OF it at once. It will be
better for you"
Milly strove to release her arm. The rough
treatment she received aroused her temper, and
indignation overeame all other feelings.
" Let me 20, you scoundrel, let me 20, or l
will cali for help" she cried.
"Call, you FOOL" ssid The brutal fellow,
and much good NAV It do you. Keep your
self still, and tell me where your money ia"
viii not y she exclaimed, her eyes fash
ing FIRE.
"YOu will not p he then replied. awe shall
see.o
He released her wrist so violently that she
reeIed bali across The room. Then be seized
that sleeping infant from the cradle, and held
that the terrified mother expected to see its
light garments catch the flames.
Now, theh, where is the money? Speak
out quick or hear your baby shrek with pain.
| viii burn It 70 death before your eyes IL yoz
do not tell me where the money is."
Monster, give me my child" shrieked
Milly, endeavOribg to reach the little one.
q Let me have ny baby"
But every effort was frustrated, for again
and again the strong hand Of the robber thrust
her back.
asse, its clothes will be on Gre in minute, .
said the man, putting the helpless innocent
I closer to the flames. The mother looked into
/ bis eyes. She saw there the look Of hssrtless
/ determination. She became aware the cotton
/ garments OF the child were smoking with the
heat.
"How shall It be?D asked the rufian. "Hur-
l ~, or The child dies. | have no time 70 waste
here
"Anyihing any hing snly give me my
I ehiidw she cried. The next instant it was
handed to her, and she sank upon the floor and
folded it to her BOSOM
Come ~ exclaimed the man, touching her
rudsy With bis foot, "you have not told me
where the money is.v
'Hn The box On the upper Shelf" she replied,
/ pointing to the closet
The man found the box, placed it on the
( table, and opened il, saying: "So far well. II
is nearly all gold. I will pocket It with your
leave or without your leave, Just as you please. .
He filed his pocket with the golden coin, and