Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-11-10
THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

/
wayworn and weary traveller WAS over
taken by snow-storm. When tho few
first flakes came softly dripping down, he
looked eagerly around in the hopes of dis
cerning place of shelter but none was
to be seen-only tho trackless waste OF
rolling lands and iarotf hills in tho di-
rection whittier he was going--so tar of
that he feared he would never reach them.
With the departure Of light the snow be-
gan falling faster, the wind blew keenar,
the road over the prairie was soon hidden
from view, and tho traveller felt that he
was lost on reckless waste, without n
star to guido him across the dangerous
| country.
This is TERRIBLE" said he aloud, 81
shall never como to my destination. II
] had but a compass and light should
never fear, for | could resist the effects of
cold long enough to reach the hills, and
there | should find human habitatioRs,
or at least the shelter of rock Now |
may go in circle till freeze, and be no
nearer help. What fool l was to leave
the river side and cross the prairie, just
for the sake of n few miles more or less
journey. mo matter; | must even bat
tlo out now, heaven holping."
And battle it out ho did, most manful-
ly. He drew his cap down over his ears
and brow, and his fur collar up over his
mouth, and thrusting his hands deeper
in his pockets, pressed on through the
yielding snow. The gloom increased
the wind camo sharper, and through his
heavy clothes the traveller began to feel
the effects of the cold. His feet grew
numb, his arms chilled, and aitOr an
hours rapid walking, ho suddenly paus-
ed.
/" How do know whittier ! am go
ing ?" no exclaimed. Perhaps have
already turned aside from the straight
line, and am wandering on tho verge o.
destruction. Oh that | could shake of
this drowsy feeling that is settling over
mo | know what it is-tte precursor OF
a rest in the cold winding sheet Of snow
Great Heaven, am freezing to death y
shrieked he, bounding forward with re
newed energy. Action-action- action
is life, and life is too sweet to loso yet =
He hurried along with n springing emo
tion, stamping his feet vigorously ut ov.
cry step and swinging bis arms to keer
the blood in circulation. Yet, with all
his efforts, he knew that the angel o
death was folding his white wings silent
ly but slrely around him.
Despair-no !" he cried, "not while
the memory Of my loved wife and dear
children is left to me. | will struggle or
for their sake, and fight tho storm fend
to the last extremity. Oh, just heaven
for the sake Of the innocent ones whose
only stay is my right arm, help me to re
sist-help ne to triumph ~
At this moment he plunged into hol
low. his feet trod over leo and no hearC
the voice of streamlct singing Of lit
and action beneath its icy crust. At III,
same timo the smell Of wood smoke sa
luted his nostrils.
"Oh, Thou who resignest above" h,
CALCULATED, 81 thank Thee that ThoI
hast heard my prayer. Help is near me-
lie reeed heavily onward through The
binding snow and saw just before him {
low shed one moro struggle and he iel
against it. In an instant he OWNED it
character. With n las. desperate oflo@
he found the door, throw il open, and
rushing in, flung himself full length upor
the floor, knowing only that he was in al
atmosphere reeking with the fumes o
bacon and warm with the smoke that rose
from pan of smothored Goals in the cen
tire Of the place. 1t was settlers rude
smoke house, left to care for itself during
the long winters night, and the trayeler's
en- for this place of refuge in the desert o.
snow.
In largo log cabin in the valley Of the
stream let's, Milly Dean sat alone. IIel
husband had gone to n distant town, and
the young wife was left with her baby
Accustomed to the solitude, she folt safe
and sat in contentment before the blaz
ing fire the flames leaped right joyfully
up the chimney and the green logs sizzlcd
and cracked in the heat like things of life
Out doors the wind was bowling dreari
ly, and the snow falling heavily; but
Mily cared not, for it only made the fire
more cheerful. There came rapping al
the door.
How strange Who can that be al
our door in this wild night ?" she said
to herself, as she rose and went into the
! little entry.
The rapping was repeated.
Who is there ?" she asked.
"For heavens sake let mo in am
freezing to death !" was the reply.
Who are you ? And how came you
in this lonely place on such an evening
as this ?"
81 am traveller from below lost
my way, and am dying from cold. For
PHYS sake let me in, or shall perish ~
Milly hestated. She was alone, and
t was three miles 10 tho nearest neigh
boris. What should she do She paus-
ed in perplexity.
"Oh, saYe me-save me am dy-
/ ing !" were the words that met her hear
ing. There was a heavy fall against the
| sill, and then low means. Her woman
nature could stand no moro true TO the
instincts of her being, she unbarred tho
door and threw it open. A closely muf-
fed figure reoed by her into tho room
and, shutting the door, she followed. On
reaching the fire place the stranger threw