Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-12-25
DECEMBER Is, 1858.

For iour days he tOilsd thus, las only food
The law and frozen hcsh oi the ibex; tor
four nights hs slept within the hole ho had
the entrance. and thus obtaining partial
shelter Il om the chilling blasts. And once
he heard the firing Of guns. and his hear.
beat wildly within him, hs dropped his
dulled Ratchet. crawled to the center Of the
cha'm. and shouted With all bis r,maining
strengt th.-shoutsd. until his strained voics
Was reduced to the very ghost OF ho arse
whisper. He knew that his friends were in
search for him; inag ined he could hear his
name called; could 10 nothing 10 attract
their attention; aud, as the firing grew
fainter, and further aud further away. huns
himself dowu. weeping and wriaging his
hands. The las plank to which be had
chung had been shiveied! Ills nei ghbors and
friends had eoms-and gone. They would
never search that par, of the mountain again
None would over know OF his fate. Tie was
burisd in an icy tomb until the la,t trump
should sound and hot flashes Of flame dis.
solved the frost work around him.
With his mind trembling upon the verge
Of madness. ovcrposeTed by sorrow. crush
ed by bitter agony, he fell back insensible.
anil lay for long time upon the cold ,,lamp
snow. that soon must bc his winding sheet.
The black vulture aapped its wings above
him. aud nc knew nothing - it. But, alter
some hours. the hunters consciousness re-
turned though be was lar too much crushed
in BODY and soul. 10 resume his labors. lie
crrpt into the little cavern he had eNcava-
tel (would 1t not b. to him 4 tonb:) and
gave passionate vent tu his grieis. For
many weary hours nothing passed his lips;
and with aching head and fevsrcd brain,
with trcmbli ling iinbs aad convulsivc sObs
hs prayed for deliYerance, II 10y no other
hand, az least 10y the skeleton one OF death
1t was rayless. sual.ss. sIarless darkness
ia the ics cavern, when the springs OF hu
life again became capable oil action. IL,
vas rAysnously hungry. and arose to satisfy
his hunger with a portion OF the ibex hC
had left remaining outside IN the chasm
lie tell around. but coull discover no out
lot Had lie been frozen in-shut out from
God blessed sunshine forever? Nothing
but smooth ics mat his burning and blister
ell fingers. Then. after an bour'. search
he found 4 soft spot. and Instantly solved
the mystery. He knew there must baS,
been heavy fall of SNOW IN the night, aD'
that IT had driiioI into. and blocked up thC
opening and with tho strengih OF despair
be soon dug through II was Aiiil snowins
heavily the aakes fs.l like great featber
around and he drew the remnant Of The
earcasc OF the i5cx into The cave. and made
another rude meal And thus refreshed I
new hope was born within him: and agair
the ice ~aiis rssounied with the blows 0
his little halcAst. But it was slow work
aud much oi tho time was taken up in clear
ins the chip. from the little gfotto.
\. weak passed. week OF the most Sc
we're toll and terrible anxiety anil yet. b.
was no. disasarteaed. His trust IN Go,
had returned and love for his wife and lie
pendent children kept alive his often sink
Jog heart IIe va. yet in hopes OF reach
in. the upper air-oi seeing his dear one
again. Bot even as he was thinking thu
with soAsthing OF his old-tims chee-fulnssH
new anxiety TOOK possession Of. and near
~ overpo ~srsd bim. The carcaso OF tn
ioex. ,bat hal been the innocent cause {
al his rouble, was picked almost 10 ;h
bouss
Wnh dire starvation staring him IN tb
face. he bowed hi, bead and wgpt like
child. Starvation, that Is dreadful. eve
in thought. Starvation, thai has 10 Il NOR
Ol horror than thousand other deaths
lie could almost seq 10 silently approaching
and tor time despair alone bad posscssio
Of him Then his trust in the Suprcm
Being returned. and he committed himse
unto Ills holy keeping Heavenly +.
ther!" be murmuTsd, from Detween h
parchcd and bIacksned lips; "it is III
hand that has sustained me SO iar-h.
sa,sd ms from all dagger. Thou give
food TO the young ravens, anil mark Cd
even the iaii OF the tiny sparrow. Non
bot Thou can bear rnc. o. help. Hear ~
prayer Save me. O GoI' Save me -
S1mstL,ng Of sweet consolation can
viii the u,terance Of tbc words aud
lAiI down TO sleep more tranquility lhan
had done IN maay previous nights Y
j., va. only TO b. awakened ty new fca
Il needed no seer 20 tell bin that The fob
VI h5t south wind was s~seping over q
glacier. ard snow d.Ids oi the high Alp
and that the rain was falling a. torrent
and the enormous blocks Of ico melting,
by he touch oi Ore Tho cavern be- h'
dug With such infinite labor was almr
brsast.dcep with water. anl 1t was rushu