The weekly Butte record., 1862-07-05
Incidents Of Western Life.

and weary traveller was overtaken by a snow
storm When the first few fakes came softly
dropping down, he looked eagerly around il
the hope Of discovering place of shelter, but
none was to be seen only the traokless waste
of rolling lands, and faroff hills in the direction
whittier he was going-so far of that be feared
he never should reach them. With the depar
ture of light the snow began falling faster
the wind blew keeuer; the road over the prai.
rie was soon hidden from view, and the travel
er felt that he was lost on trackless waste
without a star to guide him across the track
less country.
This is terrible - said he aloud. " l fear
much shall never come to my destination
If had but compass and a light l should
not fear, for l could resist the effects of cold
long enough to reach the hills, and there l
should find human habitations, or at least the
shelter of a rock. Now I may go 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 helping
And battle it out he did, most manfullv.
He drew bis cap down over bis ears and brow,
and his fur collar up over bis mouth, and
thrusting his hands deeper into his pockets,
pressed on through the yielding snow. The
gloom increased, the wind became sharper, and
through his heavy clothes the traveller began
to feel the effects of the cold. His feet grew
numb, and after an hours rapid walking, be
suddenly paused
" How do know whittier | am going?' he
exclaimed. Perhaps l have already turned
aside from the straight line, and am wandering
on the verge of destruction. 0. that l could
shake off the drowsy feeling that is stealing
over me | know what it is-the precursor
of rest in this cold winding-sheet of snow
Great Heaven l am freezing to death - he
shrieked, bounding forward with renewed en-
ergy. "Action-action-acti is life, and
life is too sweet to lose yet -
He hurried along with springng motion
stamping his feet vigorously at every step, and
swinging his arms to keep the blood in circula
ton. Yet with all his efforts, he knew that
the angel of death was folding his white wings
silently but surely around him.
Despair no. ~ he cried, mot while the
memory of my loved wife and dear children is
left to me. 1 will struggle on for your sakes
and fight the stormfend to the last extremity
Oh, just Heaven, for the sake of the innocent
ones whose only stay is my right aTm-help
me to resst-help me to triumph :"
At this moment be plunged into hollow,
his feet strobe over ice, and he heard the voice
of a streamlet singing of life and action beneath
its icy crust. At the same time the smell of
wood smoke saluted his nosrils.
Oh, Thou who reignest above he eiacula
ted thank Thee that Thou hast heard my
prayer. Help is rear me-"
He reeled heavily onward through the blind
ing snow, aud saw just before him 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, threw
it open, and rushed in, and flung himself at full
length upon the floor, knowing that he was in
an atmosphere reeking with the fumes of ba-
con aud warm with the smoke which rose from
a pan Of smothered Goals in the centre of the
place. 1t was d settlers rude smoke house
left to care for itself during the long winters
night, and the travellers grateful heart sent up
a tribute to Heaven for this place of refuge in
the desert Of snow