Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-04-19
WATERFOWL, WIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 10 1861.
Eight aca0inQ,
AN INCIDENT OF WESTERN 1.rFE
BY Z. ". DAVIS.

worn and weary traveller was overtakel
) by snow storm. When the first few
fakes came softly dropping down, be look
ed eagerly around in the hope of discern.
ing place Of shelter but none was tt
be seen; only the trackless waste of roll
ing lands, and far-of hills in the direction
whittier be was going-so far off that be
feared he could never reach them. With
the departure Of light the snow began fall
ing faster, the wind blew keener, the road
over the prairie was soon hidden from view.
and the traveller felt that he was lost on q
traekless waste, without q star to guide
him across the dangerous country.
This is terrible :" said he. aloud 81
fear much | shall never come to nv desti,
nation. If had but compass and light
l should not fear, for I could resist the
effects OF cold long enough to reach the hills.
and there | should find human habitalioDs,
Or at least the shelter of the rock, Now.
| may go in a circle till I freeze, and be
no nearer help. What fool | was, to
leave the river side and cross the prairie
just for few miles more or less Journey.
No matter; l must even battle it out now,
Heaven helping."
And battle it out he cid, most manfully.
He drew his cap down over his ears and
brow, and his fur collar up over his mouth.
and thrusting his hands deeper in his pock-
cts, pressed on through the yielding snow,
The gloom increased, the wind came sharp
er, and through his heavy clothes the tray
eler began to feel the effects of the cold
His feet grew numb. his arms chilled, and
after an hours rapid walking, lie suddenly
paused.
How do I know whittier am going 2"
he exclaimed. Perhaps I have already
turned aside from the straight line, and am
wandering on the verge Of destruction. 0,
that | could shake eff this drowsy feeling
that is stealing over me! know what it
iS-the precursor Of a rest III this cold
winding sheet Of snow. Great Heaven. /
am freezing to death - he shrieked, bound
ing forward with renewed energy. .:Ac-
tion-action-action is life, and life is too
sweet to lose yeti
He hurried along with a snrincine mo-
tion, stamping his feet vigorously at every
step, and swinging his arms to keep the
blood III circulation. Yet with all his eff
forts, he knew that the angel of death was
folding his white wings silently but surely
around him.
Despair? no." he cried, "not while
the memory of my loved wife and dear
children IS LETT to me- I will struggle on
for your sakes, and fight the storm-fend to
the last extremity. o, just Heaven, for
the sake of the innocent ones whose only
stay is my right arm-belp me to resist
helm =+.;-r-l-t'' '--------------
. At this moment he plunged into hol-
low, his feet strobe over ice, and lie heard
the voice of a streamlet singing of life and
action beneath its icy crust. At tie same
time the smell Of wood smoke saluted his
ncstriIs
20, Thou who reignest above, he eiac-
ulated, Il thank Thee that Thou hast
heard my prayer Help is near me"
He reelcd heavily onward through the
binding snow, and saw just before him
low she'd; one more struggle, and he fell
against it. With last desperate effort
he found the door, threw it open, and rush
ing in, flung himself at full length upon
the foor knowing only that he was in an
atmosphere reeking with the fumes Of
bacon, and warm with the smoke which
rose from a pan of smothered Goals in the
center of the place. It was a settlers
rude smoke-house, LEFT to care for itself
during the long winters night, and the
travellers grateful heart sent up q tribute
to Heaven for this place of refuge in the
desert Of snow.
In large log cabin in the valley of the
streamlet, Milly Dean sat alone. Her
husband had gone to distant town. and
the young wife was left with her baby
Accustomed to the solitude, she felt safe,
and sat in contentment before the blazing
fire; the flames Ieaned right j0yfully up
the chimney, and the green logs sizzled
and cracked in the heat like things Of life
Out doors, the wind was bowling drearily,
and the snow falling heavily; but Milly
cared not, for it only made the fire more
cheerful
There came rapping at the door.
How strange F.. Who can that be at
our door in this wild nieht?" she said to
herself, and she rose ard went to the little
! entry.
The rapping was repeated
s'Who is there?" she asked
''For Heavens sake, let me in; [ am
freezing to death!" was the reply.
Who are you? and how came you in
this lonely place on such an evening as
this?'
Il am traveller. from below; I lost
my way AID am dying with cold. For
PHYS sake let me in, Or shall perish p
Milly hesitated She was alone, and it
was three miles to the nearest neighbours.
What should she do? She paused in per-
plexity.
80, save me-saye me- am dying +!
were the words that met her hearing
There was a heavy fail against the sill,
and then low means. Her woman's nature
could stand no more true to the instincts
of her being she unbarred the door and
threw it open. A closely mufled figure
reeled by her into the room, and shutting
the door, she followed. On reaching the
fireplace, the stranger threw off his dis
guise, and stood erect and strong, without
a sign of inconvenience from the effects Of
the weather. Milly retreated from him in
announcement; but recovering herself, and
putting the best face on the matter, she
TREMENDOUSLY addressed the man:
IT CIV Won ORC en- ocld If IS