Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-02-28

| reeiing In the darkness among his bag
gage, he found one single match. But
what could he light with it? Everything
was buried in snow and the wind was
| blowing wildly all the time. First he went
into the timber and gathered a quantity
OF wood-limbs and dry sticks. Then he
went again, aud felt around with his feet
under the snow till he found a pile Of
leaves. Burrowing to the bottom OF the
uf'it. he took out an armiul that were dry.
futting these into the fireplace and pilinp
the dry sticks and the large wood above
| them, be was now ready for his light Now
came the crisis. All depended on that one
match. That was all that stood between
MIN and death. II that failed, the chance
OF his ever seeing home again was very
small. The wind was blowing gale, and
the snow drifting through every crevice In
such way as to give but a small chance
to poor little match. But it was all he
had, and when everything was ready he
prepared to make the venture. Taking his
blanket. he threw II over his shoulders and
let 1t fall so as to form a shelter: then TAX
ing out his only match. he waited for a lull
in the tempest. The winds seemed to know
that their hour had come. and they never
screamed so loudly or blew so wildly As
the man knelt by the fireplace 1t seemed as
II tue powers OF the sky were let loose and
were bent on blowing out his only match.
but there came moments hush ut last
and he struck the light. gust OF wind
came near making an end of Il; but he
wrapped the folds of his blanket around so
as to save It. 1t burned blue a moment,
then clear white, and then In another mo-
ment the leaves were blazing In the fire
place and the crisis was passed. When
the man arose, he found himself trembling
n sha ,fs
standing on his brow, and he was so weak
he could scarcely stand.
His horse was In the cabin with him, and
enjoyed the warmth as well as himself
lie had no corn for him. and only few
crackers tor his own supper. Saving some
OF these for morning. he divided the rest
between himself and the horse, giving
the horse by far the larger share For
some time they stood side hv side, eating
crackers and seeming to be tho best of
friends. After supper the gentleman gath
cred wood for the nigh. and prepared to
make himself as comfortable as possible
II grew less cold as the night wore on. and
after time he ventured TO sleep. When
he awoke II was daylight The, fire had
burned down; but 1t was still warm and
was easily replenlshed The snow had
drittcl til il nearly covered the cabin. and
i was this ,hat had made it so comfortable
the latter part OF the night. The storm
outside was as wild and furious as ever,
with no sign of abatement. II would be
pleasantcst 10 remain there til the wind,
at least, subsidized. But this might not be
Tor twenty four hours. aud, with nothing
for his horse To eat. he did not dare to risk
the delay. AT breakfast he divided his
crackers again with his horse, giving him
the most of them, As he had the most OF
the work to do. After their scanty break
fast they pushed out from their comforta-
ble quarters into the storm. IL was colder
and ficrce- than ever. The showing had
ceased; but the air was full of flying snow
and great drifts beset the way. BY day
light he recognized the place, and so found
hs direction. The horse seemed To under
stand the necessities Of the hour. and
pushed forward with all his might. plung-
ingfhrough snowdrifts and pulling through
the high grass and weeds and making fair
headSay. In about two hours they came In
sight OF home, and short time after the
gentlemen, nearly frozen. was by his own
har"naySqYSs IT,. ,Gfa,rS%a Gfa,rS%ay RI ieg rolgoL
struck light without thinking how much
might depend on "single match