, 1861-04-04

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AN INCIDENT OF WESTERN LIFE
|. III I u. 6A51rs~ .*:>.:-
ons distant prairie, at niehtfa1l, \ way.xorl
and weary traveller was oyeTtaken By q snow
Storm When the first few fakes came softl,
dropping down, he. e.looked eagerly around Il
| the hope Of discerning place Of shelter, bu
| none ras to be seen; only. the track1esi
waste Of rolling iands, and far off hills in thI
direction whittier he Vas going-so far off rha
he feared be never should reach them. Witt
| the departure Of Light the snow began falling
| faster the wind blew keeuer, the road oYer TIL
prairie #as seon hidden from view, and ths
traveller felt that be was lost On a :traeklesf
waste, without star to guide him across the
dangerous country
This is terrible p said he, aloud. "I fea,
much shall never come to my destination,
II had but compass end light should not
fear, for could resist the effects Of cold long
enough to Reach the hills, and there I should
lind human habitetions, or at least the shelter
Of rock. Now, may 60 in circle till I
freeze, and be no nea1er help. What fool /
vas, to leaye the river side and cross the prai.
Iie just for the sake Of few miles more or
less journey: No matter; must even battle
it out now, Heaven helpfng.''
and battle 1t ont he did, most maufu1Iy.
He drew his cap down over his ears and brow.
and his fur collar up over his mouth, and
thrustlng his hands deeper in his pockets,
pressed on through the yielding enow. The
gloom increased, the wind came sharper, and
through his heavy clothes the traveller began
to feel the effects Of the cold. Hia feet grew
numb, his arms chilled, and after. an hours
rapid walking, he suddenly paused
HOW do know whittier an going ?n he
exclaimed. Perhaps have already turned
aside fton the straight line, and am wandering
on the verge Of destruction. Q, that could
shake of this drowsy feeling that is stealing
over ne! know what it is-the precursor Of
q rest in this cold winding sheet Of snow,
Great heaven, am freezing to death ~ he
shrleked, bounding forward with renewed
energy. "Action-action-ac is life, and
Lie is too sweet to lose yetI"~
lie hurried along with springipg motion,
swinging his arms to keep The blood in eitcu-
latlon. Yet with all his efforts, he knew that
the angel Of death was folding his white wings
silently but surely around him.
"Despair? not" he cried, "not while the
memory of my loved wife and dear children is
left to ne: will struggle On tor your sakes,
and tight the storm-aend to the last extremity.
., Just Heaven, for the sake Of the innocent
ones whose only stay is my right arm--help
me to feslst-help me to triumphl''
At this moment he plunged into a hollow.
his feet strobe over ice, and he heard the voice
OF streanlet singing Of life and action be-
meath its icy crust. At the same time the
smell Of wood smoke saluted his noatri1s.
TF ~ ho1ya @.o ,sn
cd, II thank Thee that Thou hast heard my
prayer! Help is near mel
He reeled heavily onward through the blind
ing snow, and saw just before him low shed:
one more struggle, and he fell against 1t. In
an instant he OWNED its character. Witka
Ia last t.sperate effort he found the door, thrSw
it open, and rushing in, flung himself at full
length upon the floor, knowing only that he
was in an atmosphere reeking with the furues
OF bacon, and warm with tie smoke which
rose from a pan Of smotherea Goals in the
center OF the place. 1t was settlers rude
smoke house, left to care for itself during the
loug winters night, and the travellers grateful
heart sent up tribute to Heaven 1or this
place Of refuge in the desert Of SNOW,
In large log cabin in the valley of the
stream1et, Milly Dean sat alone Herhusband
had gone to q distant town, and the Young
r wife was left with her baby. Accustomed to
1A~ SoaAt4AEl aAt 1t4t sAit4 una 6AL IN content
meat before the blazing fire the flames leaped
right joyfnlly up the chimney, and The green
logs sizzled and uackle in the heat like thinps
OF lie. Out doors, the wind was howlinp
crearily, aud the snow falling heavily; but
Ai1ly cared not, for it only made the fire more
cheerful
es ssnee e1Rs so ean ae dpof fRet be at or
door in this wild night ~ she said to herself.
as she rose and went into the little entry.
The rappipg 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 :"
am traveller, from below lost my WY
and am dying with cold. For PHYS sake lei
nc in, or shall perish!"
bfilly hesitated. She was alone, and It was
[h7ee miles to the nearest neighbours. What
should she dos See paused in perp1exity.
~, save me-saye mel am dying + we're
he words that met her hearipg. There waa a
aeayy fall against the sill, and then low moans,
der woman nature could stand 10 more; true
% tie instincts Of her being she unbarred the
1oor and threw it open. a closely unified |
isure rceled by her into the room, and shut
ing the door she followed. On reaching the
REPLACE, the stranger threw OFF his disguise, |
md stood erect aud strong, without sign OF |
Inconvenience from the effects of the weather, |
'iilly retreated from him in amazement; but |
ecovering herself, and putting the best face /
N the matter, she tremu}ously addressed the !
nan:
am soTy, sir, you are 50 cold 1t isa
he tlre?''
And she pushed chair forward,
Ihe man made no response, but stopping |
'ver ran his fingers through the blaze, Then /
!e turned and stared at her with LOOK which
na4e her blood run cold. 4 bright thought
at5e into her mind. She would pretend there
Tere others In the house, for she already felt
fraId of the man, and bitterly regretted hav-
ng admitted him
Would :, Jon like to see some Of the men
o1ks, sir ?" she inquired, "if 50 will call
hem from their beds.''
The man laughed hoarEe1y and replied i
Milly Dean, for that believe is your
anne, you cannot deceive me. You are ali
=certain that before came, So you may as |
Fell make yourself easy on that score and do
$ bid you"
"Do IS you bid me?" exclaimed MilIy, III
:rror; what do you want Of me?"
" want the twelve hundred dollars in gold
our husband received tor his produce Two
ays ago. You probably know where it is"
Ml]y spFang into the entry and would have
ed, but The stranger caught her BY the wrist,
nd dragged her roughly back.
" You cannot escape me, young wonan,'' he
I'D. "You will find it most Convenient to
lake clean breast Of it at once, 1t will be
etter for you.'
Milly strove to release her arm. The roueh
eatment she received aroused her temper,
I'D indignation oyercame all other feelings.
IS Let me go, you scoundrr1, let me 60, or II
Ill call for help" she cried
"Can, you fool" said the brutal fellow, |.
and much good may it do YOU Keep your /
If still and tell me where the money IL"
II will not !" she exclaimed, her eyes fash
g fire.
SYou will not" he then replied "we shan
e."
He released her wrist 60 violently that she
,eled half across the room. Then be seized
lst sleeping iDfilnt from It's cradle, and held |
at arms length almost into the blazing fire, 4
that the terrified mother expected to see
8 light garments catch the flame,
Now then, wher8 Ia the money! Speak 4
1t quick, OF hear your baby Shrek with pain. |
will burn it to death before your eyes Il you
, not tell me where the money j." -
lily, endeaYorirg to reach the little Que,
Let me have my baby"
But every effort was frustInted, for again
I'd again the strong hand of the rohber thrust
er back :: >. r.
sssee, its clothes will be on fire In minute, >"
i'd the man, putting the helpless innocent |
oser to the flames, The mother looked into
s eyes. She saw there the look Of heartless /
She became aware that the
,tton garments Of the child were smoking
ith the heat 49,:
How shall it be ?" asked the ruf1an. t'Hur-
:, or the child dies. lhsve no time TO waste
sre." -. -. .- :
!" Gomez exclaimed the man, tonchiDg her
1dely with his foot; F." yon haVe not told nc