The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-10-05
THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.


wayworn and weary traveller was over
taken by snow-storm. When the first
Jew fakes came softly dropping down,
he looked eagerly around in the hope of
discerning place of shelter; but 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
of 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
go L fear much / shall never come to my
destination. If / had but a compass
and light should not fear, for / could
resist the effects of cold long enough to
reach the hills, and there I should find
human habitations, or at least the shell
ter of rock. Now 1 may go in 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 few miles more or less journey. No
matter; / 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
the yielding snow. The gloom increased,
the wind came sharper, and, through his
heavy clothes, the traveller began to fee
the effects of the cold. His feet grew
numb, his arms chilled, and, after al
hours rapid walking, he suddenly
paused.
"How do know whittier 1 am going p
he exclaimed. Perhaps have already
turned aside from the straight line, and
am wandring on the verge of destruc
ton. Oh, that 1 could shake off this
drowsy feeling that is stealing over me
4 know what it is-the precursor of 8
rest in this cold winding-s sheet of snow
Great Heaven, / am freezing to death 7
shrieked he, bounding forward with re-
newed energy. Action-action-a
is life, and life is too sweet to lose yet =
He hurried along with a springinp
motion, stamping his feet vigorously al
every step, and swinging his arms to keep
u
his efforts, he knew that the angel Of
death was folding hi5white wings silently
but surely around him.
Despair-no !" he cried, "not while
che memory of my loved wife and dear
children is left to me- / will struggle
ON for your sakes, and fight the 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 resist-help me to tn
umph p HhtM NE
At this moment he plunged into hol
low, his feet trod over ice, and he heard
the voice of a streamlet singing of life
and action beneath its icy crust. AT the
same time the smell of wood-smoke sa
luted his nostrils.
"Oh, Thou who reignest above" he
calculated, CT thank Thee that Thou
hast heard my prayer. Help is neal
me-"
He reeled heavily onward through the
binding snow, and saw just before him
a low shed; one more struggle, and he
fell against it. In an instant he OWNED
its 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 q pan of smoth-
cred Goals in the center of the place. II
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.
In a large log cabin in the valley of
the 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
ffelt safe, and sat in contentment before
the blazing fire; the flames leaped right
loyfully 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.
How strange Who can that be at
our door In this wild night ?" she said to