Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-04-19
Incident of Western Life,
By E. w. DAVIES,

worn anu weary traveller was OvGrtaken
by snow storm. When the first few
flakes came softly dropping down, he looked
eagerly around in the hope of discerning a
place OF shelter; but none was to be seem
only the trackless waste Of rolling lands, and
far-off hills in the direction whittier he was
going-so far off that he feared he never
should reach them. With the departure of
light the snow began falling faster, the wind
blew keener, the road over the prairie was
soon hidden from view, and the traveller felt
that he was lost on trackless waste. with
out star to guide him across the danger
Gus country.
This is terrible' said he, aloud. 81
fear much shall never come to my destina.
ton. 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 a,
least the shelter of a rock. Now, | may 90
in circle till freeze, and be no nearer help.
What a fool was, to leave the riverside and
cross the prairie just for the sake Of few
miles more or less Journey. No matter:
must even battle it out now, Heaven help
ing"
And battling it out he did, most manfully.
lie drew mis- 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 shar-
per, and through his heavy clothes the tray
elIer began to feel the effects of the cold
His feet grew numb, his arms chilled, and
after an hours rapid walking, he suddenly
paused. .... ......... ..z
"How do know whittier I am going g'
he exclaimed. perhaps have already
turned aside from the straight line, and am
wandering on the verge Of destruction. O,
that | could shake off this drowsy feeling
that is stealing over me! know what it is
the precursor of a rest in this cold wind.
ing-sheet Of snow. Great Heaven. am frcez.
ing to death?" shrieked he, bounding for
ward with renewed energy "Action-ac-
tion-action is life, and life is too sweet to
lose YETI
He hurried along with springing motion,
stamping his feet vigorously at every step.
and swinging his arms to keep the blood in
circulation. Yet with all his efforts, he knew
that the angle 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 left to me. will struggle on for your
sakes, and fight the storm-ti tiend to the last
extremity. O, just H aven, for the sake of the
innocent ones whose only stay is my right
arm, help me to resist-help me to triumph ~
AT this moment he plunged into hollow,
his feet strobe over ice, and he heard the
voice of a streanlct singing Of life and action
beneath its icy crust. AT the same time the
smell of wood smoke saluted his nostrils.
80, Thou who reignest above" he eiacu.
lated, T" thank Thee that thou hast heard
my prayer. Help is near me-"
Hereelcd heavily onward thro Ugh the blind.
ing snow and saw just before him a low shed.
one more struggle, and he fell against it
In an instant he OWNED its character. With
a last desperate effort he found the door. threy
it open, 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 pan Of smothered Goals in the
centre Of the place. 1t was settlers rude
smoke house, left to care for itself during the
long winters night, and the travellers CRATE.
ful heart sent up tribute to Heaven for this
place Of refuge in the desert of snow.
In large log caOln IN the valley of the
streamlet, Milly Dean sat alone. Her hus.
band had gone to distant town, and the
young wife was left with her baby. Accus.
toned to the solitude, she felt safe, and sat
in cuntcntment before the blazing fire: the
flames leaped right joyfully up the chimney,
and the green logs sizzled and crackled In
the heat like things Of life. Out doors. the
wind was bowling drearily, and the snow
falling heavily; but Milly cared not, for Il
only made the fire more cheerful.
There came a rapping at the door.
How strange! Who can that be at our
door in this wild nights' she said to her.
self, as she rose and went into the little en-.
try.
The rapping was repeated.
"Who is there!" she asked.
"For Heavens sake, let me in; am freez-
ing to DEATH" was the reply.
"Who are your and how came you in
this lonely place on such an evening as this?''
~ am traveller, from below; I lost my
way. and am dying with cold. For PHYS
sake let me in, or shall perish
Milly hcstated. She was alone, and II
was three miles to the nearest neighbor' S.
What should she dos She paused in per.
plexity.
40. save me-saye me! am diving r