The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-29

AhO AAOaheathOeti hAc tuo saNOE, hOOu
learns that life itself often depends on the
quick recognition Of the friendly warning
which nature gives to the wayfarer. He
scanned the narrowing horizon, and urged
his horse to quick trot He reached
Bacon's Run, passed it, and mounted to
the level of the prairie. From this point,
on a clear day, the top of the Lone tree
could be outlined; but now the clouds had
become so heavy and lowering, and the
haze had SO thickened, that objects near
at hand were indistinct. Melancholy,
ftful gusts came passing the traveller from
all quarters, as II telling him to hasten.
As he looked at the clouds his counten-
ance wore an air of apprehension. He
was not kept long in state Of expectancy.
A mote, pure and white, came futtering
down, bufeted by the wind, now here,
now there, uncertain where to go. It
finally sought refuge on Daltons furred
coat Others soon followed with hesita-
tion, now stopping and ascending, as
though to return TO the home whence they
came, but finally descending, and seeking
rest in obscure hiding places These
insignificant specks became larger, more
numerous, bolder, took possession, aud
covered all things with garment of white.
The situation was plain; snow.storm
on the prairie was ut hand
Brave men are keenly sensitive to the
approach Of danger which they resolutely
meet.
Dalton thought Of the comfortable little
cottage by the roadside, and the dear ones
1t contained. One night in the mountains
be had battled against the snow, and out
Of ten companions he was the only survi.
vor of that terrible experience.
The snow now ragged with increasing
power. The snow-hakes were blown about
in binding myriads. All traces of the
road, at best never very clearly defined,
were covered. The biting wintry blasts
went moaning by; night came prematurely
in wall Of darkness; all was wild waste
for the sport Of the elements.
Dalton, unable to see an inch ahead or
to form the remotest idea which direction
TO take, let the reins fall on the horses
neck, leaving him unrestrained to take his
way--a cutting commentary on mans
boasted reason pitted against animals
instinct. But to guide Alright in such
night would make instinct sublime.
The noble steed moved confidently on,
plunging into blackness and darkness
the lonely, desolate unknown. Suddenly
he stopped, with an abruptness that nearly
threw the rider, who, reaching, what
seemed to be the trunk Of a tree. Ex-
tending his hand higher, he grasped what
was certainly the limb Of tree, and then
all doubt disappeared.
He was at the Lone Tree, only Eve
miles from home and safety.
Here, indeed, was hope, but not unal.
loyed. Two elements entered to vitiate it,
one, the horse seemed failing; the other,
the tree was one hundred yards from the
highway, variation which showed that
the faithful animal had SO far erred, and
limited, why not further variation in
proportion as he lost strength and conf
dence.
The only solution was to move on. II
might be at the bidding Of chance; still,
motion was absolutely essential to prevent
the blood from congealing to the very
heart. The rider found It necessary to
make the horse feel the rein, to endeavor
to impart confidence to him, and to urge
him forward. The poor beast was readily
obedient, and showed that, his own re-
sources being exhausted, he relied on his
master. The sympathy existing between
them, the fellowship Of peril, almost re-
moved the barrier between the human and
brute creation.
A long time elapsed-it seemed to Dal.
ton many hours--but his only measure Of
time was his bodily and mental suffering.
He eudeavored to penetrate the darkness,
straining his eyes to painful tension, in
the hope Of seeing some friendly light or
hearing some human sound-something to
tell him he was not alone.
Fate was mocking him. The horse
stood trembling with exhaustation, and
could not go another step. He tottered
and almost fell on his rider, who, rising
and staggering about in the deep snow,
struck heavily against an upright object.
Could it be the sign board post which
stood on the little knoll just east of his
home
oh, mol Horror more chilling than
the wind and snow 1t was the Lone
Tree All those terrible hours he had
been moving in circle
All this brave struggle had been for
nothing Here was crisis. One minute
of indecision, and the paralyring cold would
conquer; but early training and noble
nature decided, Faithful to the last, Dal-
ton quickly took the mail bag from the
saddle, neryed himself for the final effort
aud then went foundering In the snow to
reach-whereyer his destiny should lead
him.
Time wore on. Strength and will we're
ebbing fast In desperation, the unfortu-
nate man endeavored to cry out for help,
but his indistinct uttennces were forced
back by the Kissing. merciless wind. He
was fast losing his mind. His steps were
numbered. A lightness came over him.
Was il cruel mirage that trifled with
him2 Over the drifts, through the night,
shone the bright, cheerful light Of IRE,
inviting him to comfort and home.
Too late He uttered faint cry, then
fell IN the soft, yielding, deceptive snow.
The storm was victor
Jane Dalton was CHEEKY, chubby little