The Yale expositor., 1896-12-18
l

However, / made the best selection |
could, and followed 1t for some two
miles. Then began TO grow doubtful,
and soon persuading myself that l was
on the wrong track, retraced my steps.
l was by this. time something like
huge white plaster-of-parls figure, and
the snow which had accumulated on
the old dog-cart made it run heavier
by half-a-ton, more or less. By the
time l came to that unlucky junction
of roads at which my misfortune be
gan, it was almost dark; the sky as
black as tarpaulin, yet sending down
the white feathery flakes thicker and
faster than ever l felt inclined to
curse my folly in attempting such n
drive, at any rate / blamed myself for
not having started two or three hours
earlier. I'll warrant that steady-going
old Brand never had to accuse himself
of such foolishness as mine.
Well, took the other road went on
some way; came to a turning which
/ seemed to remember; and, not with
out misgivings, followed it. My mis-
givings increased when, after a little
while. / found the road grew fun of
ruts, which the snow and the darkness
quite concealed from me until the
wheels got into them. Evidently /
was wrong again. / was just thinking
of making the best of my way out of
this rough and unfrequentcd road.
when-there, don't know how it hap
pened, and such things seldom occur
TO me-a stumble, q fall on the part of
my tired horse sent me flying over the
dashboard, with the only consoling
thought that the reins were still in
my hand.
Luckily the snow had made the fall
ing pretty soft. l picked myself up
and set about estimating damages.
With some difficulty got the horse out
of the harness and then felt free to
inspect the dog-cart. Alas! after the
manner of the two-wheel kind when
ever horse thinks fit to fall, one shaft
had snapped off like a carrot; so here
was /, five males apparently from any.
where, in the thick of a binding snow
storm, left standing helpless beside a
jaded horse and a broken cart
should like to know what Brand would
have done under the circumstances.
AS for me, reflected for some min.
utes-renection in a snowstorm Is
weary work. l reasoned, l believe
logically, and at last came to this de.
cision: would follow sle road. If
as l suspected, il was but a cart track
it would probably soon lead to a habi.
tation of some kind. Anyway, l hac
better try bit farther. took hold O.
the wearied horse and with snow un
der my feet, snowflakes whirlins
round me, and a wind blowing righ
into my teeth. struggled on.
1t was a Journey l think I mus
have been three-quarters of an houi
going about quarter of mile. l wal
just beginning to despair, when / saw
a welcome CLEAN of light. l steereC
toward it, fondly hoping that my trou
bles were at an end. found the ligh
stole through the ill-fitting window
shutters of what seemed. so far as
could make out in the darkness, 20 be
small farmhouse. Tying to gate tn
knotted reins by which / had beer
leading the horse, l staggered up t,
the door and knocked loudly. Upol
my honor, until l leant against tina
doorpost had no idea how tired wa
until that moment never suspecte,
that the finding Of speedy shelte
meant absolutely saving my life. Gov
cred from head to foot with snow. m,
hat crushed in, must have been Il pitt
able object.
No answer came to my first sum
mons. 1t was only after a second an
more imperative application of my hee
that the door deigned to give way a fey
inches. Through the aperture VIC
mans voice asked who was there?
Let me in said. Il have misse
my way to Midcombo. My horse ha
fallen. You must give me shelter 70
the night. Open the door. and let m
in"
shelter! You can't get shelter here