Richland beacon., 1873-06-21

winter method OF transit by means ot
now-shoes was forbidden by a dense pail
of clouds 80 obScuring the vieion. that the
hardest mOuntaincers deemed it madness
to attempt even fivc-milr journey over
a familiar trail. So, when il was an
nounced that Iirmminy proposed TO carry
the sick boy thirty miles across the coun-
try to Howe'S Fiat, the miners said, "it
is madness The dOctOr-familar with
travel in the mountains, in winter as well
as summer deemed it next t. an impo,-
sbility for man To find his way between
the two points; and discouraged the at
tempt, saying, 1T matters nothing to
.JohnIy-his stupor will contiuue. with
scarcely any interruption, till death en-
sues; then why should you peril your life
for what, if successful. he cannot apprc-
ciate?''
John answered: 1T is rot for the boy
alone; it is due to bis mother that make
this attempt. Whether she kiss the living
child's lip, or lay down my life, the ei-
fort. perhaps, will atone in part for the
grievOus wrong did her in taking away
her child"
There were not wanting heroic spirits
who volunteered to accompany John on
his journey; but he sternly forbade.
! The preparations for the journey We're
made with the assistance of many ready
hands. Blankets were cut. shaped, and
sewcd, to shelter and support the boy,
and attach him to his fathers shoulders;
| while The champion of the SnOw-shoe
adopts of the district volunteered his
| iavorite pair for Johns use, and made
them ready by applying his choicest
dope" the composition of which was
well-guarded secret
When the dawn of Christmas Day ap-
peared, John, with his burden, sailed
forth. Hemming was fully conscious OF
the desperate nature of his undertaking.
| Thirty miles in a short winters day,
dragging heavy snow-shoes through te
moist. yielding. new-fallen snow. and bear
ing such burden as he carried, he well
knew was sufficient TO tax to the utmost
the physical powers of the hardest man.
Were the perils a thousand times what
they are" said John to himself, ''still
would venture. She has borne and nllr-
tured the boy. and. il he lives till night.
she shall see him once again. alive: or else
he and will sink into these SHOWS, to lie
chill and frozen until Spring-then TO feed
the coyotes and buZZards."
Hemming had raised the HILL" as the
mountaineers term it, from the bottom OF
the canon where Jasper Creek lies hid; ;
and now, safety and success were depend
freql!ent alternative was presented) the
ridge which led to IIOwc's Flat. and avoid
ing that which led astray; in crossing the
numerous ravineS at the proper point :;
and, finally. in making. at or near the
proper place, the hazardous descent
from the mountains brow to HOwe's Flat
i'm the depth of the canon below. Ever
and anon he listened for the troubled
breathing of the boy. and sometimes, in
his anxiety, he spoke to him; when the
faint Yes, papa" that came from little
Johnny's lips, fell on his ear like knell
AdmOnished, at length, by the fast-fall-
ing shadows of night, as well as his rap,
idly waning strength, John determined
10 make the descent into the canon from
the mountain along the brow OF which
, he had for an hour to.led. He felt no
certainty that HOwe's Flat lay below
indeed. he scarcely dared hope so much.
but what matters it," thought he.
!: whether we perish on the hill above
or in the abyss beneath:"
In the haste of preparation. John had
, forgotten nothing. He undid from his
, own waist a wide band, or surcingle
passed it around Johnny and himself
r outside of all wrappings. and brckled il
as tight as he dared, to prevent the boy
r being thrown from him in case OF accl
/. dent He shuddered TO think OF hlmsel
. cropping for the lad deep-buried in th'
r snow, where disaster would hurl HIM.
o Hemming was too familiar with thu
/ mountains i'm that vicinity, and with TN
: use of snOw-shoes, to attempt to pick hi
4 way down the canOn's side. There wa
: but one way, and that was, to make a dasn
r With cautious steps, and rigid muscles
4 Hemming approached the mountain
r brow, and launched himself on its slope
a AWAY he sped, swifter than the torrent
: of spring. that course down those hill
I sides-swifter than the flight of an eagle
r as he stOOps on his prey. Scarcely see
in advance, and deity avoided with ski
e known only TO the adept in the use
e snow shoes, the few scattering trees lie
n up the steep incline behind him as clouc
D. shadows course across the PLAIN on
+ April day-faster and faster. And no.
# the even grade is broken by sheer prec
,r pices of ten, fifteen, or tive nty feet. Ovt
4 which he rode scarce conscious OF th
as breach of continuity under his feet. VIII
n lungs still distended with the breath II
NJ hailed at the top, he r, ached the bottom
10 the impetus of the descent carrying hll
Mt far out on the level. With a murmure
re Thanksgiving, John realized that the in
"a mediate peril was past. 'Whither now:
se said he. The anxious question was al
er swered on the instant ; for he saw lmm
er diately before him, looming out OF Il
at mist, the outline of house. which, as
approached, took upon itself wondro'
W familiar look.
i Margaret sitting at the window, had I
ng hours gaZed out into the glOOm-had L
he hours watched the idle snOw-fiakes,
as they sauntered to earth, and listened I
lD- the occasional cough that betokened
ng rising wind; but her thoughts were els
: where. Fit time for retrOspection! >
he had once again reviewed her whole pa
he life: had thought of her girlhood; OF t
1as days of cOurtship; of her fierce, tum'
tuOus love for John; of her marriage
ith eighteen of her husbands determinati
its to visit California: of his preparation a
the departure for the land of promise OF {
nd birth of little Johnny, on the day OF WIN
as this was the tenth anniversary OF !
the struggles with poverty, while t0rtu
ent frowned on her husband, sick and des
md tute in the land of gold; of the Ga
Dns when she earned bread for herself
ays boy, by schoOl-teaching, whereby "
md formed the habit of self-reliance; OF
'er. persistent self.culture in all matters
and tanning to the intellect, the fruitage
the which. at her old home, had been, !
lick firm frienships nor warm affections,
an envy on the part of women, admiration
that of men; of Johns joyous letters,
x,or | nouneinu his prOsDerity in California