Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-20
Gales alro Sketfbes.
Fer the Journal.
fHE EMICRAyfS.
BY II. ". c. Y.

Far out on the Alkaline Plains.
How burning hot seemed the air, as the
sun like molten ball of fire sank towards
the West, throwing his rays direct in the
faces of the occupants Of the long train of
covered wagons, drawn by strong, patient
mules, whose heads dropped wearily -
they plodded their slow way over the
heated acrid sands. Asfar as the eye could
reach these seemed the only living things
in sight. The horizon bounded the view
Of vast desolate waste, with here and
there small stunted cluster Of sage brush
save to the Westward. where a long
low line Of hills showed dimly.
Within the friendly cover Of the wagons
were congregated large number Of
emigrants-men. women, and even little
children-whole families clustered togeth-
er in apathetic suffering. too weary and
exhausted to even make complaint.
There were Haxen-haired Swedes and
Germans and a large percentage Of Scotch
and English peasantry, all seeming alike
sunk into strange state Of apathetic in
difference.
The muleteers and fine military man,
superbly mounted, who rode the length Of
the line. speaking few cheering words
rs he slowly passed each Of the huge
vehicles, seemed to embody the life OF the
expedition.
Don't get discouraged, Mignon," said
he. lifting his broad hat slightly as he
rode up TO the side of a more pretentious
vehicle than the rest. fitted up quite
luxuriOusly, whose occupants. two
men and three women. were anxious
ly watching him. The one addressed.
Young and very pretty lady Of evident
refinement, leaned forward eagerly. say
ing:
..Are we near the end of this terrible
plain-shall we reach it tonight o, do
80 pity the poor people, she added.
noting the shade OF anxiety that he could
not hide upon his face. Mrs. ROe's baby
died from the heat and thirst an hour ago.
I really believe, Albert, that she did not
know IL, though it was in her arms, for
she has not moved nor spoken for hours.
o. this is terrible. terribler and the brown
eyes dilated with horror and the lovely
lace showed drawn and piDched
The anxious. careworn look in the lead
er's face deepened and darkened. bnt his
eyes looked fearlessly and lovingly into
hers.
Cheer up" he said. The spring OF
water is somewhere In this vicinity. 1--WE
beeen over this route before, you know
but did not reckon on those wheels
breaking down to-day and the consequent
delay. Hark ~ AZ a shout arose from
the leading team, and the mules following
their leader quickened THAR pace very
perceptbly.
Joy, Joy! we are near to water" was
the word passed down the long train that
electrified the most stolid TO the widest
excitement, and it needed the most active
cxcrtion on the part OF their leader, aided
by his remarkable power OF command. to
make them keep their places till they
work OF green shrubbery, which to them
contained the Elixir Vitae"
Then the widest, most frantic demon
STATIONS of joy and eagerness. broke
through all restraint, as the multitude re-
freshed themselves at the desert spring,
and as the last rays of the blazing orb
glinted across the dazzling plain. the
voice of thanksgiving. prayer and sacred
Temple of Solitude
But whence this strangely assorted
crowd. speaking different languages. and
seemingly of all conditions of 1ife-the
ignorant. the educated. the refined. yet all
apparently actuated by one impulse-dar-
ing the peri,s of the desert; willing by
undergoing hardships. in their enthusiasts
tic endeavor to reach the Land OF the
setting sun" to gain home among the
chosen Of God" in the city Of the plain,
the "Gcm OF the desert"
For months had Albert Odnev. one of the
handsomest and most highly gifted of the
Mormon apostles been engaged in his in
sidious work among the people of Ger
many, Sweden. Scotland and England and
attracted by the persuasive power of his
eloquence. crowds had followed him from
place to place. comprising all classes. but
principally the poorer and uneducated, to
whom he promised in glowing language.
should they follow him to the new world,
equality. freedom from hard labor. pleas
ure. and withal sure passport to Heaven
rs an inhabitant of the sacred city"
While in England. where he made his
appearance about six months prior TO the
opening scene of our story. representing
himself rs q man of much influence and
property in his own country. and showing
credentials to that effect. he had attracted
and won for a wife. a young orphaned
heiress. who devotedly attached to her hus-
band had followed and aided him BY her
enthusiasm and hearty o-labor in gaining
proselytes to the New faith.' though the
obnoxious trait Of polygsmy was unmen-
toned BY him. cxceptto few kindred souls
who could appreciate its beauty, rs taking
away the to them. irksome restraints OF
law.
At length a goodly number had turned
their property into money. and placing all
in common, guided by their intrepid lead
er. after weary weeks and weeks Of travel.
had reached the point at which we find
them.
20 for n breeze, Albert, it is so sultry."
said his wife as he approached the wagon
where she was half reclining towards mid
night. He shuddered visibly.
mo. no. Mignon. don { pray for breeze
till we get out Of this. it would taise a
dance Of death among this fine. sacred
sand that would be alike fatal 10 us ALL"
he said. and quickly added loud order
for all to prepare b start onward.
The mon will rise in IN hour" he
said. 1--WE must be ready to start then.
we've not moment b lose :" and quick
~ arose the bustle OF preparation.
A last loving drink was taken from the
brackish water of the pool. and all were
in their places ready to start as the moon