Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-12-23
a RACE WITH
AN AVALANCHE,
The Lesson of One Christmas Day in
the Rocky Mountains.

-
Of the pretty homes, and watched anxiously
the sky above. AS she looked, her brother
stepped up behind her "Never mind,
Kate" he said; "we'll have a good Christ
mas, if it does snow
Kate frowned "What is the use of any
more snowl It's four feet deep on the
ground now, and all the roads are blocked
We can't get any Christmas MALL the sugar
in town is all gone; only one COW to give
milk for the children, not an egg to be had
we can't even bake a cake"
And just then white flakes came floating
through the air. Hates exclamation was
a doeful There it comes! It's too bad!'
Over near the large stove sat the father
As he heard Hates distressed voice, he
came to the window.
The Doctor was a slender man with kind
eyes and gray hair. There were many
lines across his forehead, but most of them
had been drawn by care and thought. few
by age, and none at all by discomfort As
he stood and stroked Hates hair, it was
easy to see that the young girl was the
pride of his heart
your mother, my dear" her father
said slowly, twas always glad when it
showed at Christmas time. She always
said, "a real Christmas should be a white
Christmas >" Tears stood in Hates eyes,
and Harry turned away his head. He did
not wish Kate to know how desolate home
had been to him since their mothers death
Through the gathering snow two heavy
figures came toward the house. Harry
opened the door, and saw two strong men,
with resolute faces.
Does DR.. Ward live herel' they asked,
The Doctor stepped forward. In spite
Of the storm, the men lifted their caps as
they saw his face.
There's man hurt up at the mines,
said the taller of the two men. 'Will you
come up Doctor3"
Certainly" said the doctor, promptly.
The man looked at the two young people
doctor" he said, you know the snow is
sliding badly9 It's a deal of risk"
The doctor nodded, and put on his thick
coat
ooh, papa" cried Kate, mot to-day
Not you We can't let you go" In dis
tress she turned to the men: Cant you
get some younger man for such a hard
tripl'
The man looked troubled Il am sorry,
Miss; we did try But, his face harden
ing, mo other doctor will 60 And the
man is badly hurt"
Poor Kate! Father and brother had hid
den their own grief over the mothers
death, and striven to make her life bright
Now she could not believe she could be put
aside for any other call. She chung to her
father, sobbing.
kate" he said, as he took her hands
my work is to save lives"
But Papa your life-so useful-save
that
my dear, who can tell which life is
most neededl Besides, your fears are fool
ish, dear. There is probably no real dan
I IL, l.. 4.
He stopped with his hand on her head.
Then, satchel in hand, he went to the door.
AS he stepped across the threshold he took
Harry's hand. my boy" he said, "you
are like your mother. / can trust Kate to
you" and the door closed The three men
plowed their way up the street into the
mountain-trail that led to the mines
Kate watched the figures grow small in
the distance, till the snow hid them from
sight. The mighty hills that shut in the
town never looked to Kate so high so
silent, so unmoved as during the long hours
of that day In vain Harry planned diver
sions; she watched the window with a sor-
rowful face. Still the storm ragged and
the twilight gathered Harry could not
keep anxiety from his face and voice
Down in the valley the twilight fades early
and it was dark when heavy rap brought
men, and in their midst, on a sled, an un-
couth mass of snow-covered blankets.
Where's father3' gasped Harry, star
ing at the sled with its heavy burden.
HE said we were to tell you the storm
was so bad he'd stay up at the mine to-
night We're taking the fellow that was
hurt down to the hospital"
''Noble fellowsl" cried Harry, with his
face aglow, as the men set off again.
Those twelve men have brought that
hurt fellow down the mountain on a sled
in this storm and darkness, over four feet
of snow. They faced death every step of
the way, for the snow is sliding all the
time"
Kate stared at the fire. but said nothing.
Suddenly a veil had been lifted She saw
not only her noble father rskng his life
for others,-that was no new vision, but
the rough, the faithful miners twelve of
them risking their lives to carry TO great
er safety one poor, hurt, perhaps dying,
man. And she-all day long she had
broOded over owns selfish sorrow and anxi-
ETY., letting Harry try to amuse her, but
never thinking of his troubles. With a
flush of shame she started up.
Harry" she said, ''well practice little
tonight; can't wet"
And Harry brought out his flute and the
music with lace OF such rellet and happl-
ness that Kate's heart gave another throb
of remorse
The morning of the next day dawned
clear and cool. Gradually the sun rose
over the mountains, each moment touch
ing into new glory the light and shadow,
the color and glittering sheen of the vast
snow-cOvered hills Kate sung over her
morning work and thought tenderly of the
new comfort she would bring into her ia
theirs life from that day forward. Nine
o'clock it was before the sunlight touched
tie town in the valley. Harry began TO
watch the mountain trail for his father.
All day long the "heauty of the hills gilt
tered before the longing eyes of Kate and
Harry, but no father came down the shin
ing mountain-path At three o'clock the
sun went down, and the tints of sunset
glowed upon the snowy heights Kate
bravely struggled through the pretense of
a meal; but self-cOntrol is not learned in a
day. and by evening Harry found her cry.
ing softly by herself.
* te, " he said 'don't worry; to-mor-
row III go up the mountain and see il
father is still there"
Harry started early next morning, and
Kate bravely watched him out of sight
Wen be home for Christmas" he
shouted back, for his spirits rose with the
prospect of something to do. He climbed
to the mines. and found, 10 his dismav
that his father had started down early the
preceding morning, the superintendent
having watched him out of sight
We'll, " said Harry, 81 must go dowT