Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-04-02
INCIDENTIN WESTERN LIFE
DY Z W. DAVIES.

On distant prairie, at nightfall, a way
worn and weary traveller was overtaken by
Il snow S.orm. On the fir ( few fakes softly
dropping down, he looked eagerly around
in the hope of discerning place Of shelter !;
Tut none was to be seen-only the track
less waste of rolling lands, and far.,ff 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, and the wind
blew keener, the road over the prairie was
on hidden from view, and the traveller
felt that he was lost on a trackless waste,
without star to guide him across the dan
gerous country.
This is terrible!" said he aloud. a.
fear much shall never come to nv desti-
nation, If had but a compass and light
| should not fear, for could resist the
effects Of cold long enough to reach the hills.
and there should find human ! Affiliations,
or at least the shelter Of rock. Now,
may go in circle till l freeze, and be no
nearer help. What fool / was. to leave
the river side and cross the prairie Just for
the sake Of few miles more or less inur-
ney. No matter; l must even battle 1t out
now, Heaven helping"
And battle it out he did, est manfulIy.
He drew his cap down over bis ears and
brow, and his fur collar up over his mouth,
and thrusting his hands deeper in his
pockets, pressed on through the Welding
enow. The gloom increased, the wind came
sharper, and through his heavy clothes the
traveller began to feel the effects of the cold.
His feet grew numb, his arms chilled, and
after an hours rapid walking, he suddenly
paused.
How do l know whittier I am going ~
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? l know what il
is-ihe precursor Of rest in the cold
winding sheet of snow. Great Heaven, |
am freezing to death p shrieked he, bound
ing forward with new energy. Action
action-action is life, and life is too sweet
to lose yetw
He hurried along with Il springing mo
ton, stamping his feet vigorously at every
step, and swinging his arm to keep the
blood 10 circulation. Yet with all his eff
forts, he knew that the angel of death was
folding her white wings silently but surely
around him.
Despair-nov 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 fend to
the last extremity. o. just Heaven, 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 streamlet singing of life and ac-
ton beneath its icy crust At the same
time the smell of wood smoke saluted his
nostrils.
40, Thou, who reignest above" he eiac.
ulated, al thank Thee that Thou hast heard
my prayer. Help is near me-"
lie reele1 heavily onward through the
binding snow, and saw Just before him a
low shed. one more struggle, and he fell
| against it. In an instant be OWNED its
character. With last desperate effort he
found the door, threw it open, and rushing
in, flung himself at full length upon the
floor, knowing only that he was in an at
mosphere reeking with the fumes of bacon
and warm with the smoke which rose from
pan of smcthered 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 heart
sent up tribute to Heaven for this place
Of refuge in the desert of snow.
IL large log cabin 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. Ac-
customed to the solitude, she felt safe and
eontensed before the blazing FIRE; the flames
ieaped right jnyfully 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 MilIy cared not, for II
only made the fire more cheerful.
There came rsppipg at the door.