The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-01-02

Butte QRIFFI1
they came to our little home, an
once more 1 was clasped in my fath
} er's arms.
OF course there was much to be toll
on both sides, aud the end OF tn
conversation found ms understanding
each other better than ever before
Father insisted on taking us hom
with him. and I was too tired AM
homes ok to les pride refuse his offer
We could not doubt but that Co
had directed my fathers steps so a
to meet Ethel, aud my wave,1n|
faith was greatly strengi hened. 80
after fathers business was settled, w
all went home to old Virginia.
How glad was my meeting will
my mother. and how happy and fre'
I felt during the weeks of rest tina
followed. And the girls reveled II
the out door freedom and gained
! strength and rosy cheeks fas,er that
I had dlealned it possible.
But God had better things yet in
! store for mt.
One afternoon I was wslking down
the walnut drive, intently thinking,
when my eyes caught a shadow, and
l looked up and saw-surely it must
be Frank Leigh! Older, but it must
be!
I called his name family, and tried
to meet him, but I grew faint and he
sprang forward and caught NE. !
SOC revived, and he led me to the
old willow tree.
Yes, it was my husband, but how
was it I grew confused in trying to
think. so he quietly held my hand
and gave ME in brief o history of his
adventures since he left New York
City, nearly four years before. He,
with Others of his party, was cap
tured by the Indians, and saved alive
for some purpose which he could not
guess.
One by one, bis comrades died from
hunger, ilI-treatment, exposure an I
mental suffering; but he, while long
ing for death, sill lived and suffered
tOriures.
At last, by some means, he man.
aged his escape and endured every
hardship before he reached any abode
Of civilization. He had been with
the. avayes nearly a year. His first
act. or reaching the cabin Of a pros
pector. "a as to Sc .ure writing mater
ials and write me u letter. While
waiting for an answer he lodged With
the k~ind-hearted prospector, and
earned his board by helping him
open up his lead.
As you know, [ bad moved by that
time and I did not receive the letter.
Then he wrote to the Doctor; but he,
too, had moved and did not get it.
He wrote my father and mothe. !; but
as the letter never reached tl.e ", ii
must have been lost. Another .car
had passed in this way, and then he
went to work in desperation to earn
money to bring him home
He had succeeded in getting a suf-
ficieDt sum together, when he was
taken sick and 1t all melted away
like snow in sunshine.
Nothing daunted, however, he
went to work again, but before he
had obtained the required sum, his
was attracted by some pros
poets lately discovered, so he expend-
ed his little all in a tiny cabin and
necessary implements for prospect
He still hoped to bring back wealth
his family.
One night there came up a terrific
wind and snow storm, and he sat
alone in bis cabin, lonely and almost
discouraged, when' in 2 l9ll
he heard a human voice calling for
He Immediately lighted a
antern, and protecting himself as
veil as possible, dashed out into
be storm. He could see nothing
md he heard nothing; and was CIV
ng up his search when he heard a
moan, and he stumbled over
he body of a man lying Frustrated
n the snow.
Eagerly he bent down and finding
lin alive, he raised him and half
ed, half carried, him to his cabin.
Then he applied snow and ice to
Ears and hands, and rubbed
lim and gave him hot coffee, and in
n hour or 30 he was quite comfort
bile and sound asleep In the bed.
My husband watched all night, |
nd kept a fire, and in the morning
he stranger was able to give an &C.
f himself.
He said his name was Horace
Knapp, and he was general mana
.er of the mining company which
lad its works about twenty miles
The day before he and his assaver
lad started out on horseback to look
t some prospects, and after examin-
a 1ew, the assayer returned home
0 attend to business, and Mr.. Knapp
al come on to visit more and bar
ain with the miners. The sudden
torn, the first heavy snow of the
eason, had surprised and bewildered
he had lost his way, and I'm
lily, he had grown so cold that he
lrned his horse loose and attempted
walk. He had fallen, exhausted.
hen my husband found him. and
e could not be sufficiently grateful.
In return Mr.. Knapp wished to
my husbands story, so he re-
Gated what l have told you, with
ore particulars, of course.
MI. Knapp listened attentiveiy and
artled my husband by exclaiming
;statrically:
II havn't! My superintendent
III leave me next spring to 20 north
Id take a similar position. You
lall go to my camp with ne, and
ay with him a few months and
arm his business, and then take his
ace; the salary is good. Meantime,
lring the winter, you can return
asst and hunt up your family. Per-
aps we u buy your prospects, and ,
give you MEANS at 0nce.N ]
Well, you may be sure Mr.. Leigh
d not hesitate to accept this unus-
Il offer, and to thank MI. Knapp
ID the Father above who, after ali.
makes I'LL things work for good, to
lem that love him." =
The plan was carried out. His
aspects Were good, and he received
good sum for them. He built a
mt cOffAUo ond than $780,.