The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-10-04
THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

On distant prairie, at nightfall, a
wayworn and weary traveller was over
&aken by snow-storm. When the first
few fakes came softly dropping down,
he looked eagerly around in the hope of
discerning place of shelter; bat none
was to be seen-only the trackless waste
of rolling lands, and far-off hills in the
direction whittier he was going-so far
off that he feared he should never reach
them. With the departure of light the
snow began falling faster, the winds blew
keener, the road over the prairie was
soon hidden from view, and the traveller
felt that he was lost on trackless waste,
without star to guide him across the
dangerous country.
"This is terrible said he, aloud.
80 fear much shall never come to my
destination. If [ had but a compass
and light I should not fear, for could
resist the effects Of cold long enough to
yeach the hills, and there I should find
human habitations, or at least the shell
ter of rock. Now may go in a circle
till I freeze, and be no nearer help.
What fool [ was to leave the river side
and CROSS the prairie, just for the sake
of a few miles more or less journey. No
matter; I must even battle it out now,
Heaven helping"
And battle it out he did, most man
fully. 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
H1JnI no rr10
the wind came sharper, and, through his
heavy clothes, the traveller began to feel
the effects of the cold. His feet grew
numb, his arms chilled, and, after an
hours rapid walking, he suddenly
paused.
Chow do know whittier am going ?"
he exclaimed. +" Perhaps I have already
turned aside from the straight line, and
am wandering on the verge of destruc-
ton. Oh, that / could shake off this
drOwsy feeling that is stealing over me I!
I know what it is-the precursor of a
rest in this cold winding-sheet of snow.
Great Heaven, am freezing to death I"
shrieked he, bounding forward with re.
newed energy. "Action-action- action
lis life, and life is too sweet to lose yet p
He hurried along with a springing
motion, stamping his feet vigorously at
every step, and swinging his arms to keep
she blood in circulation. Yet, with all
his efforts, he knew that the angel of
death was folding hiswhite wings silently
but surely around him.
Despair-no p he cried, "not while
the memory of my loved wife and dear
~children is left to me. I will struggle
ON for your sakes, and fight the storm
fiend to the last extremity. Oh, just
Heaven, for the sake of the innocent
ones whose only stay is my right arm,
help me to resist-help me to tri-
nmph p
At this moment he plunged into hol-
low, his feet trod over ice, and he heard
the voice of streamlet singing of life
and action beneath it's icy crust At the
same time the smell of wood-smoke sa-
1uGed his nostrils.
cob, Thou who reignest above" he
calculated, 81 thank Thee that Thou
hast heard my prayer. Help is near
me"
BE reeled heavily onward through the
binding snow, and saw just before him
low shed; one more struggle, and he
fell against it. In an instant he OWNED
dts character. With a last desperate
effort he found the door, threw it open,
and, rushing in, flung himself full
length upon the floor, knowing only that
he was in an atmosphere reeking with
the fumes of bacon, and warm with the
smoke which rose from pan of smoth-
cred GOALS in the center of the place. It
was settlers rude smoke-house. left to
care for itself during the long winters
night, and the travellers grateful heart
sent up tribute to Heaven for this
place OF refuge in the desert of snow.
An a large log cabin in the valley OF
She streamlet, Milly Dean sat alone
Her husband had gone to distant town.
and the young wife was left with her
baby. Accustomed to the solitude she
felt safe, and sat in contentment before
Che blazing fire; the flames leaped right
Joyfully up the chimney, and the green
logs sizzled and cracked in the heat like
things Of life. Out doors the wind was
bowling drearily, and the snow falling
heavily; but Milly cared not, for it only
made the fire more cheerful. There
came rapping at the door.
g How strangei Who can that be at