The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-08-07

other day; perhaps the oxen were disabled
on the road" For q storm had set in,
cold and clustering; not much snow; just
enough to make the world lovely. The
wind sang among the pines like the
voice of angry water courses, and splin-
tered great boughs in the forest, and up.
rooted blasted trees, and seemed like an
invisible presence haunting the recesses
of the wholesome impersOnatiOn of Thor,
whose touch was blow; and all the while
the snow built up its Aladdin palaces,
crystal by crystal; wreathed about the
living green, tapestried every bowlder,
hid the dead leaves and hollows under
the screen, for it was by no means deep;
the weather was too bitter cold for more
than light fall, just enough to drape ma
ture gracefully in its fold, and give a
promise of more to come.
Before the sky had cleared the last
mouthful of food had vanished, and ex-
cept for partridge that Ben had made
shift to kill with club-for there were
no firearms yet in camp-and a rabbit
taken in rude trap of their own con-
structing, they had not eaten anything for
two days. But they were robust men, who
would have tough fight with starvation
before succumbing; and then there was
no lack of water.
In the mean while they were almost as
much concerned for Mr.. Bruce as for
themselves. He might have lost his way,
they feared, or been Overtaken by the
storm or the wolves; he might come into
camp any moment too far reduced to help
himself, and need their weak assistance.
Since their stomachs were idle, their
brains became correspondingly active
with fearful imaginations. Every day
they proposed setting out to walk home
but perhaps he would come tomorrow
and then they hated TO desert their post !;
besides the weather was singing cold,
and, reduced by hunger, they might faint
by the way, frOst-bitten, or, unarmed, en-
counter Indian devils or wolves! What
ever he might be able to endure himself,
Ben felt that Uncle Simon's strength was
utterly inadequate to the struggle. They
were beset with a thousand peradventures
there was not only lion in the way, but
all manner of perils, real and imaginary.
So they waited, perforce, watching the
days vanish in tender dream of color, and
the stars make their silent journey across
the deeps of heaven, and the mornings
dawn as the rose blooms, unfolding petal
after petal of exquisite bloom. They bu-
sled themselves still about the camp and
hovel, giving a thousand last touches, such
as they would never have thought of Civ
ing at another time, gathering fire-wood,
and setting the rabbit trap in vain. And
one day the axe fell from Ben's resolute
hand, and he just dragged himself inside
the camp, and stretched himself before
the fire. Uncle Simon had already given
out
walking home could hardly have been
worse" Ben said, simply. Perhaps he
was thinking of somebody who might
have met him, kindly, at the journeys
end, in view of the danger he had passed.
perhaps Bruce'll come yet" returned
Uncle Simon.
Through chink in the camp door Ben
watched the sunset fade like fire among
the woods, and one by one the stars shine
out, each in its appointed solitude, and the
lights palpitate rosily along the
sky. The bowling of wolves echoed dis
mally, while now and then a branch
cracked in the forest, and the wind trebled
among the pines. Inside the fire made a
glow, under the influence of
which he was soon nodding off to sleep,
when through the fog of his semi-con-
seriousness he seemed to hear sort of
ringing in his ears, at first mere thread
of sound, then louder and nearer, as if
every tree in the forest was a church stec-
pie with all the bells a-swinging. Then
he heard no more till a smothered groan
from Uncle Samuel caused him to raise
himself upon his elbow. The fire was
still swapping and blazing brightly, and
the form and profile of a woman was shad-
owed forth upon the wall of the camp-a
very familiar face and figure it was, too,
that appeared to be bending over some
thing that was cooking on the fire. Was
it the excited action OF his brain that pho
tographed Louisa Bruce on the wall? If
so, he prayed that it might last forever.
Then he turned his head languidly toward
the fire, and met pair of eyes that had
shone for him all his life with the fascina-
ton of will-o'-the-wisp. Were they still
to haunt him across the confines of this
world?
IF you are awake, Ben, you had better
taste this Cruel that have made for you,"
said Louisa, quietly. You must be near
ly famished."
"How came you here?" was all the
answer Ben vouchsafed.
"You are mighty polite if you are most
starved. Who else could come, and
father not able to lift his head brought
Tim; he is putting up the horses. It's no
such pleasant journey either, can tell
you, between the wolves and the frost,
not to mention a cold welcome. Come,
amt you going to take something!
Here's broth and brandy and gruel-take
your choice"
'Nay, you shall choose for me-" said
Ben. Listen. Unless you take back the
words you spoke when we met last, un-
less you give me back love for love,
swear will not taste a morsel of any
thing you have to offer. I'll stay here
and starve rather than take crumb of
comfort from your hand"
"What did says" asked Louisa, meek
ly.
"You said that you could live without
me-"
"Oh yes, suppose 1 could, but 1
shouldn't want to-"
but you refused to marry me''
certainly, because you didn't want to
marry girl with no more heart than an
adder, Ben"
II want to marry yoa, heart or no
heart"
Every we'll; have some broth first, won't
your"
And then Tim came in, and Uncle
Simon awoke, and there was an end of
starvation in camp.
The Altitude af Which Men Can Live,