The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-02-06

BY e. W. DAVIES.

"Cstcrh Atbc-sA kkeaI heroine.
BY E. W. DAVIES.
On the distant prairie, at nghtfall, way
worn and weary traveller was ovcrtaken by
snow storm. When the first few fakes cam
softly dropping down, he looked eagerly a
round in the hope ofdiscoveringa place of shel
ter; but none was to be seen-oniy the trackles
waste of rolling lands and far off hills in tn
direction whittier he was going--so far off tha
he feared he never should reach them. Wit
the departure of light the snow began allinj
faster, the winds blew keener, the road owe
I the prairies was soon hidden from view, AM
the traveller felt that he was lost on trackles
waste without star to guide him across til
dangerous country.
"This is terrible" said he aloud II fea
much | shall never come to my destination.
| had but compass and light, should no
fear, for could resist the effects of cold lon
enough to reach the hills and there | should finC
human habtations, or at feast the shelter Of
rock, Now, may go in a circle until freezq
and be no nearer help What fool was, t.
leave the river side and cross the prairie Just 70
the sake Of few miles more or less Journey
No matter; must even battle it out now, Heav
en- helping"
And battle it out he did most manfdlly. FL
drew his cap down over his ears and brow, an(
his fur collar up over his mouth, and thrdstinl
his hands deeper in his pockets, pressed on.-
Through his heavy clothes the traveller begar
to feel the effects Of the cold. His feet grew
numb, his arms chilled, and after an hours
rapid walking he suddenly paused.
"How co know whittier am going?" HI
exclaimed. perhaps / have alread." turned
aside form the straight line, and am wandering
on the verge of obstruction. Oh, that coult
shake off this drowsy feeling that is stealing
over me. | know what it is--ths precursor o
a rest in this cold winding sheet Of snow. Grea
Heaven, am freezing to DEATH" shrieked be
bounding forward with renewed energy "Ac
tion--action-action is life, and life is too swee
to lose yet!''
He hurried along with springing motion
stamping his feet vigorously at every step, and
| swinging his arms to keep the blood in circua
ton. Yet with all his efforts he knew that
the angel Of death was folding his white wing:
silently but surely around him.
"DespaTr-non' he cried, mot while the
memory of my loved wife and dear children is
eft to me. will struggle on for your sakes
and fight TO the last extremity. o, just Heaven
for the sake of the innocent ones whose only
stay is my right arm, help me to resst-helE
me to triumph"
At this moment he plunged into hollow, hi,
feet strobe over the ice, and he heard the voice
of a streamet singing Of life and action beneath
its icy crust. At the same time the smell o
wood smoke sauted his nostrils.
80, Thou who reignest above,' he calculated
'I thank Thee that Thou hast heard my pray,
er. 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 he OWNED its character. With last
desperate effor. he ound the door, threw it O.
pen, and rushing in, flung himself at full length
upon the floor, knowing only that he was in an
atmosphere reeking with the fumes of bacon
and warm with the smoke which rose from the
pan Of smothered Goals in the centre of the
place. 1t was settlers rude smoke house, le
to take care Of itself during the long win ter's $
night, and the travellers grateful heart sent
up tribute to Heaven for this place ofreluge
in the desert osnow.
In the log cabin in the valley of the stream
let, Mlly Dean sat alone. Her husband had
gone to a distant town, and the young wife was
left with her babe. Accustomed to the soi-
tude, she felt safe, and sat in contentment be-
fore the blazing fire; the fameseaped right
ioyfully up the chimney, and the green l)gs siz
zed 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, it
only made the fire more cheerful.
There came rapping at the door.
elbow strange! Who can that be at our door
In this wild night?' she said to herself, as she
rose and went into the little entry.
The rapping was repeated.
"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?'
II am traveller from below; lost my way
and am dying with cold. For PHYS sake, let
me in, or I shall perish!"
Mily hesitated. She was alone, and II was
three miles to the nearest neighbor. What sho'd
she do? She paused in perplexity.
40, save ms--save me! Iam dyingl" we're
the words that met her hearing. There was
heavy fall against the sill, and then low means
Her woman nature could stand no more; true
to the instinct Of her being, she unbarred the
door and threw it open. A closely muffled fig
ure reeled by her into the room. and shutting
the door, she followed On reaching the fire
place, the stranger threw off his disguise, and
stood erect and strong, without sign ofincon-
venence from the effects Of the weather. Mily
retreated from him in amazement, but recover
ing herself and putting the BEST face on the mat.
ter, she TREMENDOUSLY addressed the man;
81 am sorry, sir, you are so cold. IL is bit,
ter night 10 be abroad. VIII you not sit by the
fire?" and she pushed a chair forward.
The man made no response. but STOPPING o.
YER, ran bis fingers through the blaze. Then he
turned and stared at her with o look that made
her blood run cold. A bright thought came into
her head She would pretend there were others
in the house, for she already felt afraid Of the
man and bitterly regretted having admitted
him.
"Would you like to see some Of the men folks
sir?" she inquired. "If SO will call them from
their bed" a5'&
The man laughed hosrseiy andrepl,ed:
'.'Milly Dean, for | believe 10 your name, you