Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-10-16

reached a place where the snow was
quite shallow. But it was not the
hard, smooth surface Of the road. We
could feel that the ground was UNI
even, and covered with roots and
bushes,
Bidding Axel stand still, Lars
jumped out of the sled, and began wad-
ing around among the trees. Then /
got out on the other side. had not
gone ten steps before began to sink
SO deeply into the loose snow that
was glad to extricate myself and re-
turn. It was desperate situation, and
wondered how we should ever get
out Of 1t.
/ shouted to Lars in order to guide
him, and it was not long before he,
also, came back to the sled. IF
knew where the road isl said he, ~
could get into it again. But 1 don't
know; and l think we must stay here
all night
I'VE shall freeze to death in an
hour!" cried. I was already chilled
to the bone. The wind had made me
very drowsy, and knew that II I
slept / should soon be frozen.
ooh, mol" exclaimed Lars, cheer
fully. II know what my father did
with a gentleman from Stockholm on
this very road, and we'll do it to-
night
What was it?"
Let me take care Of Axel first,
said Lars. I'VE can spare him some
hay and one reindeer skin
-
ness the horse, but we accomplished 1t
at last. Lars then led him under the
dropping branches of a fir tree. Then
he tied him, gave him an armful of
hay, and fastened the reindeer skin
upon his back. Axel began to eat as
If perfectly satisfied with the ar
rangement.
When this was done, Lars spread
the remaining hay evenly over the
bottom Of the sled and covered it with
the skins. These he tucked in very
firmly on the side towards the wind.
Then, lifting them on the other side,
he said, Now take off your fur coat,
quick, lay it over the hay, and then
creep under it."
obeyed as rapidly as possible. For
an instant l shuddered in the icy air;
but the next moment I lay stretched
in the bottom of the sled, sheltered
from the storm. l held up the ends
Of the reindeer skins, while Lars took
off his coat and crept in beside me.
Then we drew the skins down and
pressed the hay against them.
When the wind seemed to be entire
ly excluded, Lars said we must pull off
our boots, unite our scarfs, and so
loosen our clothes that they would
not feel tight upon any part of the
body When this was done, and we
lay close together, warming each
other, l found that the chill gradually
passed out of my blood. My hands
and feet were no longer numb; de-
lightful feeling of comfort crept over
me; and lay as snugly as in the best
bed. | was surprised to find that, al
though my head was covered, | did
not feel stifed. Enough air came in
under the skins to prevent us from
feeling oppressed.
In five minutes, | think, we were
asleep, and l dreamed of gathering
peaches on warm August day, at
home. Just as was beginning to feel
a little cramped and stiff from lying
SO still, l was suddenly aroused by
the cold wind on my face. Lars had
risen up on his elbow, and, was peep
ing out from under the skins.
II think it must be near six o'clock, :"
he said 1.-THE sky is clear, and l can
see the big star. We can start in an
other hour"
yITJ,ilo u,oro TALKING Avail Daiph-
ed. There they are!" cried Lars,
and Immediately began to put on his
boots, his scarf, and heavy coat. l did
the same, and by the time we We're
ready, we heard shouts and the crack
of whips. We harnessed AXel to the
sled, and proceeded slowly in the di-
rection of the sounds. They came
from company of farmers, out thus
early to plow the road. They had six
pairs Of horses geared to a wooden
frame, something like the bow of a
ship. The machine not only cut
through the drifts, but packed the
snow, leaving a good solid road behind
1t.
After it had passed we sped along
merrily in the cold morning twilight,
ed the Dosthouse at Umea. There we
found Lars father prepared to return
home He waited until Lars had eaten
good warm breakfast. Then said
good-by to both, and went on toward
Lapland.
Some weeks afterwards, on my re-
turn I stopped at the same little sta
ton. This time the weather was mild
and bright and the father would have
gone with me to the next posthouse.
preferred, however, to take my little
bedfellow and sledfellow. He was SO
quiet and cheerful and fearless. that
although / had been nearly all over
the world, and he had never been
away from although was
man and he young boy-I felt that
/ had learned a lesson from him. We
had merry trip of two or three hours
and then took leave of Lars forever
-Bayard Taylor.