National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-02-19

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and deeper with its frozen mantle.
Nellie spoke first.
"Edward,n she said tenderly, ado
not go to Wellville to day perhaps
we can get along two or three days
with what we have or until tbs
storm is over. fear to have ycu
30, for it will surely blow and drift
badly, and the trail is already lost in
the snow. You would certainly per
ish before you could reach the vii
lage," and the blue eyes filed with
tears at the bare suggestion.
Nearly two years before, we had
left pleasant New England home,
humble, but surrounded by kind
friends, and TUNED westward, hop
ing to better our fortune.
We removed to Minnesota, and
bought a small farm which had been
partially improved by family from
Kentucky. who had left the safe be
ing unable to endure the inclemen-
cies of Il Minnesota winter, and more
especi .lly unable to sympathize with
the strong Republican sentiment,
which existed there, at the outbreal,
of the Rebellion. AS the farm con
tanned both timber and prairie, a lit
tie cabin of hcwn logs bordering on
il creek of pure water, we planted a
few flowers, and We're quite content
ed and happy in Our new home SO
far from kindred ties, and 50 near
the outskirts of civilization.
Our nearest neighbors were two
bachelors, from the state of Indiana,
aud commonly known as 1.-The Cor
dons."
They lived in a secluded, isolated
! sort of ii way, seldom asSOClatlng
/ with the SUR Ounding inhabitants.
They lived fully four miles from
us, and nine miles farther i'll an east
crIy direction was the ilourishimg
village Of WcllyiIlc situated on the
| bank of a considerable river,
The creek OH which we were loca-
ted, by Il clrcultouS route OF twenty
miles or more, joined the river two
miles below the village. Instead of
following the winding sire am, we al.
ways went directly to the village,
across the plains, aud over bluif,
on an old Indian trail, which led to
st. Paul.
| The first year after our arrival,
what with buying provisions and a
I partial failure Ct crops, our small
stock of money had been nearly cX-
+ pended.
Now was the second Winter, and
another failure of crops, still more
severe than the iirS, had brought
/ thc grim monster, hunger, nearly to
! our door.
| had been waiting nearly a week
for pleasant day to present itself,
that might 80 to the village topro-
cure the provisions which We were
seriously beginning to need; but
each day seemed destined to he fol-
lowed by one S'lil more severe.
had just told Nellie that should
Try to ride billy, our noble horse
which we had brought with us from
the EaSt,-to WcllNillc, rather than
to run the risk of waiting for the
StorGI to ahatc, when she made the
rNpoStuIatiou which mentioned at
the commencement OF story.
| tried to reason away my wife ;
Il arS and rs she gave IA reluctant
assent, drew on my cutter clothing
and strapplng n sack across 'Bllly,
mounted him and rode away.
The wlnd was at my back, but
had a rough time ot it, reaching the
village Just about four o'clock II
the afternoon.
| had been expecting small sun
of money from the east ; IL bad leb'
which had left III the hands of al
attorney when | started for th,
West, ard who, several weeks be
, fore, had written me that he get ;
clue upon some concealed property
and thought that he could collec
the entire amount of the obligation
lie had decided to send 1t 10y cX
press, and had been looking for i
Tor some time, but had ut last con
cludcd that he had failed i'll his eX
pectatons of reaching 1t.
Upon arriving at the village
went directly to the Post Oilicc, an'
calling for my mail was rcjolccd t
receive among other matter, larS
express envelope addressed To T.,
ward Watson, Wellvillc T.. o., -
Co.. Minn., with $40 marked upo
thcuppcr corner. hastily tran
icrred it TO my inner coat poke
c and turning encountered u pair ,
glittering black eyes, attcnlivcl
observing my movements. Rcco,
nizing Thomas Gordon, ! passed til
20 compliments of the evening wit
him, and with several of the Wills
gers also who were present, an
soon after lett the office. Proceed
ing to a provision store, | made m
purchases, ~ Il entered intoa spi
tied conversation on the cngr0ssil
- topic of the war, with the mcrchan
a brisk, sharp eyed New Englande
ID Some time elapsed while we wei
thus engaged, and after noting I'll
flight of time, | arose with the /
= mark that had u long ride beiol
me. The merchant urged me
stay with him until morning, hut
told him | had left Nellie alone ai
49, she would be frightened should
stay away. Securely fastening
my horse the nriiClcs which ] hi