Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-12-25

Cutting little inches in the ice wall. be
climbed beyond The reach OF the water. and
tremblingly awaited his fate. Tho wave.
rose rapidly. higher and higher. lie had
climbed until has head rested against the
top oil the little cave-eould 60 no iur,bur.
And yet. the waters rolled upwards around
han. They reached his waist surred
higher 10 his brsast-erept to his throat.
and despite all bis etIo,ts began to trickle
into hts mouth. In another moment. he
would be strznglsd by them; his hold would
DO torn away. and his body dashed hithsr
aud lhnLsr against the sharp points of ice.
20. God! Save me! Save me :" burst
from hiin in the terrible agony si the in
siant-the moment of time that lay between
him and death.
A noiss like tbundsr-a .hivering crash
l-rssouudvd through the ehasm. IL az.
pearsd rs il The very foundations OF the
world were toitsring beneath him. No,
Terror was instantly changed to rapture
The waters rushed out of the cavern with
tie most amazing velocity; he could do
scend aRd stand upon the bottom again
without fear. How thi. had been accom-
plishsd. he was iorced 10 wait until the
morning light TO determine and, with the
6rst beams. he saw great fssure had been
opened. through which the imprisoned wa
tiers had found their way 10 the valley be-
low. This unlocked for prescrys, ION again
inspired him with confidsnce-rsndored
more frm hi. trust IN God. Through ths,
tunnel lie saw the way to freedom Il was
small, to bs sure. but hc could enlarge il
and no worked diligently, until his strength
utterly Jailed. The ibex was entirely do
soui ed. lie had split the bones and sucked
out the marrow; had knawsd them over
aud over again to aprease his hunger. For
two days he had not tasted morscl OF fool,
= The hatchet slipped from bis hand when he
sndsavorsd TO strike = blow. and ks was
forced to abandon the undertaking. There
was nothing left him now. bat to die.
Anothsr day passed. aad no help came
He lay crouched in a corner Wishing that
the end would come aud that swiftly. His
eyes already filmed, and bis heart beat
family. Then. 4 strange noise aroused
him. He looked aloft. and saw chamois
rainIy striving to dsiend itself against the
attacks OF two old yultures that wore strik
ing at it with wing and bsak. I; was an
, unequal contest; and. at length. the ami
mai. driven TO desperation. attempted to
leap the broad ebasm The effort vas u
noble one. but II failed OF success The
chamois missed us footing and fell. kruis
cd and helpless, at the very feet Of the
starving man. In an instani. his knife was
plunged INTO its throat; and the warm
blood was dr aimed hy his eager lips This
gave him new life, aud he renewed hi. Ia.
Dor. |; was alrnc ST herculcan task Moro
than once, he isll fainting beside it. Bu.
hope was very strong within hm. Still.
he wonld have utterly failed, had not hea-
ven assisted him.
, Again. the John was busy at its work oil
destruction again the windows of heaven
we're opened; and the "rains descended
and the floods came" and accomplished
more in a single Hight than his hands could
have done in months. With tho morning
light. he crawlei through tho now larg,
tunnel but when be reached thn outer end
found TO his horror, that he was on th'
top OF a mighty prscipcs. His blood
boiled hIs brain seemed on fire bis hear
beat a. II u would break through ribs an,
flesh He was II possible, more desper
alely imprisoned than before How wa
liz TO get down: Through bis be wi!dcres
mind sudlcnly flashed the thought OF ih,
hex aud cbanois aud he was not long il
making a rope OF them. lie then cut
deep bols ia the ice. drove dowR bis apen
stock. fastened ona end TO u. and swing
=, ing himself of reached the bottom 4
safety
With a cry OF joy and prayer Of thank
lulncss he fastened along the we'll know
: path and when the bell Of the little chape
that reared ,ts gilded cro" in the Matt,
valley. was telling Tor tie evening prayer,
he staggered ike a drunken man into tb
very midst oi the astonisheI worshi ppsis
= even a. lhe voice OF tho good priest was D.,
pcaung, God 10 everywhere with me an
every where. even ia the most ibreateniu
dangers. bis voice speaks 10 me IN tones
comfort and says, Call upon me IN the ds
Of trouble. sud | will deliesr thee. a.
thou sLalt gloiiiy me = '--staggered TO,
ard, the altar. 10 knetl at IT. bat fell iaiu
ing lato the arms oi bis vile. who aga
Rursed him 10 health. strength. aud rsa
hood Msrry's Museum.
:, There Is elias. Of people who lhink III
90 be grim - to be good that piety is