The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-06-30

sisted that l go along.
SO preparations were made for our
marriage. We sent to Bunker for 6
minister, but our messenger brought
word he could not get away. ''Could
we not come to him." We must start
for Chicago at once, so decided to adopt
that plan. Upon the 18th, after tear
full goodbye to all but father, mother
and Joe, who would accompany US, we
started for Bunker.
There was a great quantity of snow on
the ground and only one sleigh, that OF
our messenger the day before, had gone
over the road. As consequence our
progress was slow and laborious. 1t
was dull, cloudy day, but We knew
nothing of billiards then, so did not
hesitate to start. We had mentioned
1 o'clock as the time for the ceremony,
so made calculation on being at the par
sonage at that hour.
Before we were two miles on our way
the snow began to fall in great feathery
flakes.
love a snow storm and was delight
ed to be out in one. Seeing father and
mother grave and troubled, I laughed
and jested, and indeed was in an unu-
sually merry mood for one just leaving
home and friends to go among strangers
with only husbands love to depend
upon.
For some time the snow fell slowly
and heavily, then the wind rose and the
cold began to increase.
Joe suggested return and limited
possible danger. Father hesitated but
Frank thought there was no moro dan
ger in an advance than retreat, so on we
went. Heavens! what an experience
that was which followed.
The wind howled like a host of de-
mons bent on destruction. The snow
became infnitesimally fine and, driven
by the blast, stung ones flesh when ex.
posed like needle points. We could not
see to the horses heads, and as the
one track was long since covered up, We
no longer knew which way we were
going, and could only trust to the
horses.
Mother became alarmed and cried
quietly behind her vail. All my high
spirits vanished, and instead of the
happy future had been anticipating I
now saw nothing but cruel death be-
fore US, with the snow for shroud and
pail.
At 2 o'clock by Franks watch we
were nearly frozen, aud the weary horses
could scarcely move along.
Suddenly Joe put out his hand and
clutched at some object close to the
side of his sleigh.
"Hurrah" his CHEEKY voice rang out,
whoa"
The tired horses stopped instantly,
only too glad of the chance. Joe sprang
out into the yielding snow. In a mo-
ment he shouted again:
"Hello! Here's another sleigh.
Father Frank! Pile out here with
your shovels!'
They did as he ordered, and mother
and l reused to see what it all meant.
But we could see nothing, and only
family hear their voices above the rush.
ing wind.
We soon found out, however, for
father and Frank soon returned and
lifted mother and me out of the sleigh,
and carried us-where2 Into fathers
cyclone cave.
We stared about in stupid amazement,
for Joe had brought lantern along, and
he had lighted and hun 6 it up. Amo-
ment later we were joined by the minis
ter from Bunker, who, finding it pos
sible to get away, had started.
The men blanketed the poor horses,
huddled them together close to the
mouth of the cave, turned the sleigh
box up beside them as partial shelter,
then bringing my trunk, lunch basket
and the robes, joined us.
The temperature of the cave was COM
compared with the outer air,
and We were truly thankful for the
change. Vigorous and continued ex-
ertion soon restored our benumbed
limbs to their normal condition, and we
settled down to n ouiet discussion of