East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-03-28
INCIDENTS OF WESTERN LIFE
DY Z. ". DEvIEs.


On distant prairie, at nightfall, a way
worn aud weary traveller was oyortaker
Ly snow storm. When the first few
fakes came softly dropping down, he look.
ed eagerly around in the hope OF dis.
ccruiug a place of shelter; but none was
to be seen-only the reckless waste OF
rolling lands, aHd lar-oa hills in the iii.
rection whittier he was going--so far of
that he feared he never should reach
them With the departure Of light the
snow began falling faster, the wind blew
knocncr, and the road over the prairie
was soaD hidden from view, and the trav-
cller felt that he was lost on tracklcss
waste, without a star to guido him across
the dangerous country.
"This is terribe!' said he, aloud 81
fcar'much ! shall never come to my dcs.
tination. If | had but compass and @
light | should not fear, for / could resist
the effects Of cold long enough to reach
the hills, and there should find human
habitations, or at least the shelter Of a
rock Now, / may 90 in circle till !
freeze, and be 10 nearer help. What a
fool was, 20 leave the river side and
cross the prairie just for the sake Of
few miles more or less journey. No mat
tel; | must even battle it out, Heaven
helping"
And battle it ont he did, most manful-
ly. He drew his cap down over lis ears
and brow, and his far collar mp over his
mouth, and thrusting his hands deeper in
his pockets, pressed on through the yield
ing snow. The gloon increased, the
wind came sharper, and through his heavy
clothes the traveller began TO feel the ci-
icc,s of Che cold. His feet grew numb,
his arms chilled, and after an hours rap.
it walking, lie suddenly paused.
Glow 90 know whittier am going?'
he exclaimed "Perhaps have already
turned aside from the straight line, and
am wandering on the verge of destruc-
tion. o, that could shake of this
drowsy telling that is stealing over mel
/ know what 1t is-the precursor Of a
rest in this cold winding sheet of snow
Great Heaven, i am freezing to DEATH"
shrieked he, bounding forward with re-
newed energy. "Ac.Ion--action--action
is life, and life is too sweet to lose yeti"
He hurried along with sprlnging
motion, stamping his feet vigorously at
every step, aud swinging his arms to
keep the blood in circulation. Yet with
all his efforts, he knew that tho angel OF
death was folding his white wings silent
ly but surely around him.
"Despair-no!" he cried, "not while
she memory OF my loved wife aud dear
children is left 10 me. | will struggle
on for your sakes, and fight the storm.
TEND to the last extremity. ., just
Heaven, for the sake of the innocent ones
whose only stay is my right arm, help
me to resist-help p me to triumph"
at this moment he plunged into a
hollow, his feet strobe over ice, and he
heard the voice of streamlet singing OF
life and action beneath its icy crust. AT
the same time the smell OF wood smoke
saluted his nostrils.
40, Thou who reigncst above, he
calculated, 81 thank Thee that thou hast
heard my prayer. Help is near me-"
do recled heavily onward through the
binding 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 ef-
fort he found the door, threw it open,
aud 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 with the smoke
which rose from pan Of smothercd Goals
in the cnntre of the place. 1t was
settlers rude smoke.housc, left to care
for itself during the long winters night,
aud 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