Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-11-23
TALES & SKBYgHES
MILLY DEAN AND THE
He ROBBER.

On distant prairie, at nightfall, way
worn and weary traveller was overtaken by
a snow storm. When the first few fakes
came softly dropping down he looked eag-
erly around in the hope of discerning a
place of shelter, but none was to be seen,
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 fell faster, the wind blew
keener, the road over the prairie was soon
hidden from view, aud the traveller felt
that he was lost on trackle waste, with.
out a star to guide him across the danger
ous country. ......
This is terrible = said be aloud. 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 rock. Now | may go in a
circle till freeze, and be no nearer help
What fool | was to leave the river side
and cross the prairie just for the sake of q
few miles more. But | must battle it out
uOU -AAOoFSh hClp INC
He drew his cap down over his ears and
brow, and his fur collar up over his mouth,
and thrusting his hands deeper in bis pock
cts, pressed on through the yielding snow.
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, re suddenly
paused.
'How do know whittier am going? he
exclaimed, perhaps / have already turned
aside from the straight line, and am wan
dering on the verge of destruction. Oh
that could shake off this drowsy feeling
that Is stealing over me /! know what it
is-the precursor OF rest in this cold wind.
ing sheet of snow. Great Heaven, | am
freezing to DEATH shrieked he, bounding
forward with renewed energy. Action,
action, action is life, and life is too sweet to
lose yet!
He hurried along with a springing mo-
tiOn; stamping his feet vigorously at every
step, and swinging his arms to keep the
blood In circulation. Yet with all these
efforts he knew that the angel of death was
folding his wings silently around him.
Despair not !! he cried, mot while the
memory of loved wife and dear children is
left to me. I will struggle ON for your
sakes, and fight the storm 6end to the last
0 just Heaven for the sake of the inno-
cent ones whose only stay is my right arm,
help me to resist, help me to triumph !
At this moment he plunged into hol
low, and he heard the voice of streamlet
singing beneath its icy crest. Atthe same
time the smell of wood-smo saluted his
nostrils.
% Thou who reignest above! he ejacu-
lated, Il thank thee that thou hast heard
my prayer. Help is near me-
He moved heavily onward through the
binding snow, aud saw just before him
low shed, one more struggle, and he fell
against it. In an instant he OWNED its
character. With last desperate effort he
found the door, threw it open, and reeling
in, flung bimself at full length upon the
floor, knowing only that it was an atmos
phere reeking with the fumes of bacon,
and warm with the smoke which rose from
a pan Of smothering Goals In the centre of
the place. II 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 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 Accus.
toned to the solitude, she felt safe, sat in
contentment before the blazing fire; the
flames ieaped joyfully up the chimney, and
the green logs sizzled and orackled in the
heat like things of life. Outdoors the wind
was bowling drearily, and the snow falling
heavily; but Miliy cared not, for it only
made the tire more cheerful.
A loud rap at the door.
'How strange! Who can that be at our
door in this wild night p she said to herself.
as she rose and went into the little entry
The rap was repeated.
'Who is there she asked.
tFor heavens sake, let me in, I am freez.
ing to death ! was the reply. afr-
who are you? and how came you in this
lonely place ON such an evening as rthis?'
K am q traveller from below: / lost nv
way, and am dying with cold. For pity's
sake, let me in or shall perish p -
.1iily hesitsted. She was alone, and il
was three miles to the nearest neighbor's
What was she to do? She paused in per.
plexity. i4 --=..1
oh! save me, save nae I am DYING |!
There was heavy fall against the sill and
then low means. Her woman nature could
stand no more; true to the instincts of hel