The Lincoln County herald., 1868-06-04
INCIDENT OF WESTERN LIFE.
BY d. W. DAVIES.

On distant prairie, at nightfall, q
wayworn and weary traveller was over
taksu by snow storm. When the 6rst
few fakes came softly dropping down, he
looked eagerly around in the hope Of dis.
scerning place Of shelter, but none was
to be seen-only the trackless waste Of
rolling lands and far off hills in the direc.
ton he was going-so far off that he feared
be would never reach them. With the
departure Of light the snow commenced
falling faster, tho wind blew kccner, tho
road over tho prairie was soon hidden
from view, and the traveller felt that he
was lost on . trackless waste, without q
star to guide him across the dangerous
country.
"This is terrible r. said he aloud. II
fear much I shall never como to my des.
tination. IF had but compass and q
light should not fear, for could resist
the effects Of the cold long enough to
reach the hills, and there l should find
human hahitations, or ut least tho shelter
ofa rock. Now, may 60 in circle till
| freeze, and be no nearer help. What o
fool l was to leave the riverside and cross
the prairie just for tho sake Of few miles
more or less journey. N0mattcr, must
even battle it out now, Heaven helping.
And battle it out he did most manfully.
He drew his cap down over his ears and
brow, and bis fur collar up over his mouth,
and thrusting his hands deeper in his
pockets, pressed on through the yielding
snow. The gloom increased, the wind
came sharper, and through his heavy
clothes he 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 I know whittier am going?"
he exclaimed. "Perhaps I have already
turned aside from the straight line, and
am wandering on the verge Of destruction.
o, that could shake off this drowsy feel.
ing that is stealing over mel l know
what it is-the precursor Of rest in this
cold winding shcetofsnow. Great Heaven,
l am freezing to death |" shrieked he
bounding forward With renewed energy.
"Action-action-action is life, aud life
10 too sweet to loose yeti"
He hurried along with spring motion
stamping his feet vigorously st every
step, and swinging his arms to keep the
blood in circulation. 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, "whils the
memory of my loved wife and dear chill.
dren is left me. I will struggle on for
ysur sakes, and fight the storm. .6end 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 plugged into hel.
lev, his feet strods over ice, and he heard
the voice Of . streamlet singing Of life
and actien beneath its icy crust. At the
same time the smell Of wood ashes salu.
ted his uostrils.
70, Thou whe reignsst above" he ejae.
ulatsd, II thank Thee that thou hast
heard my prayer. Help 10 near me-"
He reeled heavily onward on through
the binding snow, and saw just before
him . low shed, one more struggle, and
hs tell against il. In an instant he OWNED
is character. With . last desperate
effort he found the door, threw IL open
and rushing in, Aung himself At full
length upoa the floor, knowing only that
hs Was 10 an atmosphere reeking with the
fumes Of bacon, and warm with the smeks
which rose from pan Of smethsred Goals
10 the center Of the place. Il WAS sst.
tiers rude Vmeks house, lsft to care for
itself during the lsug winters night, and
tho travellers grateful heart sent up
. attribute to Heaven for this place ofrsfuge
in the desert snow.
In large log cabin in the valley Of the
streamlet, Milly Dean sat alone. Her
husband had gone to distant town, and
tho young wife waa lsft With her baby.
Accustomed To The solitude, she felt
safe. ana sat In contentmant baforo tho