The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-05-24
~ ~ IN -
. A NIGHT OF PERIL ;
BY Emerson Bennett
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

UNrom Good Literature. by Permisslon)
MI EXITING one day accidentally an
wi old schoolmate whom | had lost
sight of for number Of years, |
learned in the first few minutes of
our conversation that he had been a
travelling colporteur, but had lately
married and settled in the west
turned storekeeper and was now on a
visit TO some of his friends in the
east
TO some very natural inquiries
which | made, he replied by telling
me the following thrilling and roman
Tic incident:
"The life OF colporteur," he be
gan, SIS n very hard and trying one.
Travelling from place TO place, ms he
does. through the more thinly-peoplcd
sections Of the country; initiating his
Great Master 40 far as to be with the
poor always; selling his religious
works where he can-giving them
away where money IL wanting and he
sees chance of their doing good;
holding meetings in the wilderness.
perhaps hundred miles from any
regular church or pastor; visiting the
sick; officiating for the dead; endeav-
oring TO console the mourncr; exposed
so heat and cold, sunshine and storm;
sometimes riding the whole day with
out food, and often passing the night
in the most unhealthy and wretched
quarters; continually meeting with
incidcnts and accidents Of the most
disagrecablc nature; now receiving
the blessings OF the good. and anon
the bitter curses of the bad all this,
my friend, Is very trying TO one poor
human system, and there are few
men so constituted as TO he able to
hold out in the good work for any
length OF time.
During the few years which !
spent in this manner, in what | may
call the wilderness OF the west many
events occurred which, could | now
recall and had | time 10 relate. |
believe would deeply interest You;
but viii only give you the most re
markablc one of all, and the ono most
closely interviewer with my life nnd
destiny.
Zone dun, gloomy, drilling day.
during the spring Of the last ycar
! served In the capacity | have men
toned, ! found myself near the sot-
ting Of night passing through a
long. dreary wood. where for miles
had not sccn any habitation. In fact,
since noon OF that day | had passed
but ono dwelling, "A poor, miserable
log hut, where for myself | had OBJ
tanned rather lunch than meal.
but had not been able 10 procure
anything for my weary horse. How
far had yet 10 go 10 rench n hnbits-
ton where | could find sheltcr fOT
the night could not say. and I'm con-
sequence / began 10 feel quite uneasy,
My horse was fatigucd and hungry.
and myself cold wet and uncomfort-
abic
Squirting on my iaded beast, how
ever. I'm the hope that should vet
find some comfortable lodging On the
way. rode some two miles further
and descended into steep, narrow
valley. through which flowed swift
mountain stream, and across which
led the narrow road | was pursuing.
at was now getting quite dark
and as ] reached the stream and hea ri
the gloomy murmur 81 it's swollen
waters. and knew not II IL were cafe
10 attempt the ford. felt quite die
heartcncd. md was half tempted 10
turn back aud cucamp ms best | could
upon the high ground OF the hitI
above
'Ent looking around me, MS my poor
horse prickcd mp his ears and uttered
a pleading whinuy. ! cspicd a Ugh,
few rods below; and riding down
20 II, ! was greatly relieved and re-,
joicod 20 find II proceeded from u
neat and comfortable dwelling. which
siood back some ten or fifteen yards
from the stream. and probably A.
many feet above the level Of It's wa.
tErf.
ION knocking at the door Il was
opened by q very ReDteel looking
woman, some IS or 80 years Of age