The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-10-14
Albany Bc9i1ter.
A.. gfacEes emf of Western Life.
BN r. w. DAVIES.

On distant prairie, ut nightfall,
wav-worn and worthy traveller
was overtaken by SHOW storm.
Wien the first few flakes came soft
" dropping down, he looked eager
~ around III the hope of discerning
place OF shelter; but none was to
be seen; only the trackless waste of
rolling lands, and tar-otf' hills i'll the
direction whittier he was going-so
far oft that he feared he should
never reach them. With the de-
part,ue of light the snow began fall
ing faster, the wind blew keener,
tie road over the prairie was soon
hidden from view, and the traveller
felt that he was lost on the trackless
waste, without star to guide him
across the dangerous country.
s@I'his is terrible - said he, aloud.
81 fear mucl, | shall never come to
my destination. fl Lad but a com
pass and light | should not fear,
for could resist the effect of cold
long enough to reach the hills, ant
there | should find human habita-
tiolis, or at least the shelter of Il
rock. Now, may go in circle
till freeze, and be 10 nearer help.
What a fool was to leave tie river
side al.d cross the prairie just for the
sake of .cw miles more or less
Journey. No matter; | must even
battle it out now, Heaven helping"
And battle it out lie did, most
man.i,lly. lie drew his cap down
over his ears and brow, and his fur
collar up over his mouth and thrust
ing l.is hands deeper into his pockets,
pressed on through the yielding
snow. Tie 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 hour S rapid walking, he
! suddenly paused.
| ''lIow do know whittier am
going 20 he exclaimed. 'sPerhaps
/ have already turned aside from
the straight line, and am wandering
on the verge OF destruction. @, that
| could slake off this drowsy feeling
that is stealing over me. | know
! what it is-the precursor Of a rest
iii this cold winding sheet of snow.
Great Heaven, | am freezing to
death 20 he shrieked, bounding for
ward with renewed energy. "Ac-
-action-action is lite, and life
is too sweet to lose yet 20
He hurried along with springine
motion, stamping his feet vigorously
at every step, and swinging bis 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, 'Sno1
while the memory OF my loved wifs
and dear children is left to me.
will struggle on for your sakes, an6
fight the storm-tiend to the last ex
tremity. O, just Heaven, for tht
sake of the innocent ones wllost
only stay is my right arm-help m'
to resist-help me to triumph %
AT this moment he plnnged intt
a hollow, and his feet strobe owe
; ice, and he heard the voice of !:
streamlet singing of life and actor
beneath its icy crust. At the sam,
time the smell of wood smoke sa
luted his nostrils.
60, Thou who reignest above,
lie calculated. ssI thank Thee tina
Thou hast heard my prayer Hell
is near me-"
He reeled heavily onward through
the binding snow, and saw just be
fore him a low shed one more strug
gle, and he fell against it. In a.
instant he OWNED its character
With last desperate effort he fount
the door, threw it open, and rushing
in, flung himself at full length upol
the floor, knowing only that he wa
in an atmosphere reeking with TIN
fumes of bacon, and warm witt
smoke which rose from a pan Q
smothered Goals in the center of tn
place. 1t was a settlers rude smoke
house, left to care for itself through
the long winters night, and tin
travellers grateful heart sent up
tribute to Heaven for this place G
refuge III the desert of snow.
III a large log cabin in the vale,
of the streamlet, AIilly Dean sa
!. alone. Her husband had gone to
distant town, and the young wit
was left with her baby. Accustome'
to the solitude she felt safe, and sa
t in contentment before the blazin;