The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-12-28
sOMERsET Pa, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2s 1892.

riding we had only gone twenty-five
miles, and = new storm was coming up
and Il proved regular snorter too. We
dug hole in the snow and lay down for
few hoarls sleep, for We were dead
beat; hot II was 50 cold that we we're
only able 70 get forty sinks, and started
again, 50 as not 70 freeze to death.
The storm increased, getting worse
and worse SIS We went on the snow driv-
en- by the fierce wind. cut cur face ike
50 many needles, while the bitter cold
seemed 70 numb every faculty and TO be
slowly freezing out our very lives Ny
horse then gave oal-couldnt move an
other step, so l let him 60 and mounted
the pack horse. Night then cane en,
and our whisky, that had given Us some
strength and warmth, gave out We
didn't know we're We were, but thought
We ooald't be many miles from home if
only We were or the right trail Ny
mans horse next gave ont, as l vas
stronger than he. made him get on my
horse, and, holding on 10 the saddle,
walked along by his side; bot Only q
mile or 50 further and our last horse drop
ped down exhausted. What were ne to
DO? l don't know where l got the
strength, bu, shouldered the pack my
self and We both plunged On. would
not give in-the thought that they might
be starving At home forced me on,
don't know how far We walked; hard
IL knew in what direction We were go
ing my one thought vas to keep NOV
ing. The poor fellow near me was COM
pleiely gone, and lay down to sleep. 1
begged him to gt up, 70 try 70 move. !
beat him; / drsgged him along; but he
only begged 10 be leA alone. grabbed
him By the collar and Just pulled him
along, stopping to rest ever few minutes
1 couldn't see; l couldn't feel; myself
loaged 70 lie down in the soft snow and
90 TO sleep Then thought Of the dear
ones at home; / wOnid never see them
again. This gave me renewed energy,
and, dragging my hslflifsless eourade,
stumbling under the weight Of the pack,
l plunged on. Finally l was completely
done couldn't 90 another step; I felt
that death couiin't be far of. Oh, the
utter misery Of despair Of that moment,
sank down and cried in utter helpless
ness. don't know what made me, bat
| struggled 70 my feet once more and
called again and again, bat the storm
only Knocked me, and sank down once
more was 50 sleepy and tired, and it
was so nice and soff lying in the snow.
The next thing remember l was feeling
some whisky being poured down my
throat, and then thst l wss being drag
gei through the snow and that l was
home and safe Well, boys. do you know
who did il? Wy il vas that little woman
sitting so quiet by the fire there It zp-
pears that she sonehoE had a PRESENT.
meni that L WAS oli in the storm and
she kept going to the mouth OF the tun
nel every little While, as she had been
doing nearly every night. When gave
ap 10 die l was nearer home than l
ihopght, and she heard my call. She
got some xhisky, and, making the man
hold torch 50 that she could find her
way back, she ploEed through al that
snow and storm until she found me, and
then by main force she dragged me back
10 the house. Not only that. bat she
vent back again and brought in the
other poor fellow. What do you think
Of that for pluck? Il was weeks before
1 got over the effects Of that night; but
tell you what, boys, that was the hap
piest New Yezr ever had. It's nearly
twelve O'Clock 80 Ill up, all, and make
ready 10 drink the New Year in when
the clock strikes, and one toast that
know You'll join with NE in drinking
viii be: The Heroine Of New Ye2rs's
Eve-My Little Wife ~. d. CharIier,
IN D3rg n V-rTL