Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-12-31

down upon tnCM III earnest. 1uo oi0oh
wind howled around the corners, the
white flakes by millions and millions
came with 1t and hurled themselves
upon that house. In fact, that poor
little cabin alone on the wild prairie
seemed to be the object of their sport.
They sifted through the cracks in the
walls, around the windows and under
the door, and made pretty little drifts
on the floor They piled up against it
outside, covered the steps and then the
door, and then the windows, and then
the roof, and at last buried it complete
ly out of sight under the soft white
mass.
And all the time the mother and her
three children laid snugly covered up
in their beds fast asleep, and knew
nothing about it.
The night passed away and morning
came. but no light broke through the
windows of the cabin. Mrs. Barnes
woke at the usual time, but finding it
still dark and perfectly quiet outside,
she concluded that the storm was over,
and with sigh of relief turned over to
sleep again. About eight o'clock,
however, she could sleep no more, and
became wide-awake enough to think
the darkness strange. At that moment
the clock struck, and the truth flashed
over her.
Being buried under snow is no I'M
common thing on the wide prairies,
and since they had wood and corn-meal
in plenty, she would not have been
much alarmed if her husband had been
home. But snow deep enough to bury
them must cover up all landmarks, and
she knew her husband would not rest
till he had found them. To get lost on
the trackless prairie was fearfully easy,
and to suffer and die almost in sight of
home was no unusual thing, and was
her one dread in living there.
A few moments she lay quiet in bed,
to calm herself and get control of her
own anxieties before she spoke to the
children.
Willie" she said at last, "are you
awaken
Eyes, mamma" said Willie, ave
been awake ever SO long; isn't it most
morning?"
"Willie,'' said the mother, quietly,
1--WE mustn't be frightened, but think
I'm afraid-we are showed in.'
Willie bounded to his feet and ran to
the door.
Don't open it," said mamma. hasti-
ly, 1.-the snow may fall in. Light a
candle and look out the windows"
In moment the Pickering rays of
the candle fell upon the windows.
Willie drew back the curtain. Snow
was tightly banked up against it to the
top.
..Why, mammal" he exclaimed, $50
we are! and how can papa find us?
and what shall we do?"
1--WE must do the best we can," said
mamma, in voice which she tried to
make steady, land trust that it ism t
very deep. and that Tim and papa will
find us and dig us out"
BY this time the little girls were
awake and inclined to be very much
frightened, but mamma was calm now,
and Willie was brave and hopeful.
They all dressed, and Willie started
the fire. Ther Smoke refused to rise,
but putfed out into the room, and Mrs
Barnes knew that if the chimney We're
closed they would probably suilocate,
if they did not starve or freeze.
The smoke in few moments chOked
them, and seeing that something must
be done, she put the two girls, well
wrapped in blankets, into the shed out
side the back door, closed the door to
keep out the smoke. and then went
with Willie to the low attic where a
door opened on to the roof.
1--WE must try" she said, 'to get it
open without letting in too much snow,
and see if we can manage to clear the
chimney"
II can reach the chimney from the
scuttle with a shovel" said Willie, Il
often have with a stick
After much labor, and several ava
lanches of snow: the scuttle was open
ed far enough for Willie to stand on
the top round of the short ladder, and
beat hole through to the light, which
was only foot above. He then SHOW
eled off the top of the chimney, which
was ornamented with Il big round cush-
ion of snow, and then by beating and
shoveling he was able to clear the door,
which he opened wide, and Mrs.
Barnes came upon the ladder to look
out. Dreary indeed was the scene!
Nothing but snow. as far as the eve
could reach. and flakes still falling,
though lightly. The storm was evil
IDENTITY almost over, but the sky was
gray and overcast.
They closed the door, went down
and soon had a fire, hoping that the
smoke would guide somebody to them.
Breakfast was taken by candle-light.
dinner-in time-in the same way, and
supper passed with no sound from the
outside world.
Many times Willie and mamma went
to the scuttle door to see if any one was
in sight, but not shadow broke the
broad expanse of white over which to-
ward night the sun shone. Of course
there were no signs of the roads. for
through so deep snow none could be
broken. and until the sun and frost
should form a crust on top there was
little hope of their being reached.
The second morning broke, and
Willie hurried up to his post of lookout
the first thing. No person was in sight,
but he found a light crust on the snow,
and the first thing he noticed was few
half-starved birds trying to pick up
,af hinn IN 'Tl,ax, l.