The New York herald., 1877-12-25

In that liquor mill, and on Christmas Evo the place
peculiarly inviting. The boys assembling Tor
night NJ poker, aud Jim sat down and took hand
"It's KIND o. rough gu Minerv', - he thought once,
about Midnight oaygn ner alone up thar such :ht
reckon.n
Bat when the man entered his cabin next morning
and started toward the bed with peace Offering this
winnings) extended in his hand he completely
stunned by what he Tho untouched bed, tho
nrecss hearth the cold untasled supper, his wic's
clothes strewn tho oor the open trunk the absent
cap aud Ian ternhcse flashed the truth into his brain
'sho's gone 10 hunt Tor me sne's been long
whlic All night p'rnaps-in the storm. o, Mincrv !"
Out he sprans through the doorway. The storm
was over Tho air was clear, sun anu bitterly cold
the harrow horizon. then plunged through the drifts
toward sa'aaln,s, The camp u.,. ..,,. - ~.
Minerv'!"
lmmedntcly tho camp reused itself from its
aromatic siumbers When II was found that Mrs.
oaks was really missing tho miners volunteered as
one man TO 30 to her rescue sled was prepared
some lrewood, PROVISIONS blankets and keg oil whis
this time ana tar in front the way toward Wild
swan Gulch tho company started Parties woro as
north; ths largest group followed oass' trail II Was
hard work Volunteering across the guliies and wash
outs, which were packed TO the edge with snow
often the men ,shuudereu to think OF what might 10
hidden under those heavy white masses.
The hrst 'sigu was discovered by Jim Oaks
partner, ono 'spck" Jones, who kept 10 tho lott aud
signallcd IRON clump OF timber rhe bark was par
TALLY torn or about iour feet from tho ground, ON
the side OF tree by the teeth or claws oi Wild
beast, but plainly to be seen, by the hanas Of a
human creature. Almost every miner was familiar
with the trick II was trick TO Keep from freezing,
at the sacricc oil nails anu lngcr tips IL des-
peraie method Of exercise 10 arrest lethargy. Quo
veteran OF the camp remembered to have climbed up
and down tree all night one winter when he
ovcrtaken without matches by Montana blizzard.
Jim Oaks set his teeth bard when he saw the frozen
blood spots Oh tho tree.
'stay with me- boys" no said, hoarsely, 'and help
me lind my wife"
The mon struggled on.
Some two hours later a figure on distant blum was
seen waving a hat All songht tho placo whore tho
wind had blown 1crcey during the proceeding night
thai had prevented tho snow from lousins on tho
windward ridges. Mrs Oaks lay on her back there,
half covered with snow, frozen 10 sleep. Her leit
hand thrust inside tue vest she wore; her right
extended above her head and covered with blood
from her poor torn nugcrs.
Everybody made way tor Jim.
Ho came up and knct down reverenty beside her,
and kissed her rigid lips
"M,ncrv," !" he said, gently. lie reached. trying TO
feel her heart.
"Minerv'lr
Hc looked around on the faces OF his fcliow-mincrs
with such an expression Oh his drawn and haggard
vlsage that they turned away.
He touched the cold hand IN her bosom. 1t covered
something which she had clutched Tor when sho ioL
He drew II forth II was her Testament. Opening It
mechanically at the 1y-ea he the words, writ
ten, perhaps, long betore:-
"rhis book has been my comfort
'Read IL, Jim."
And below
II am the resurrection and the lie saith the Lord
Ho that belcvcth In me, though no were dead. yet
shall no livc and he that lveth and belicveth IN me-
shall never dtc"
.'Boys" said jim, half rising to his feet, and hold
Ing out the open book with bon his trcmDlng hands,
sShe6 lett mc-a Christmas present. Sce!D