Year: 1861




On distant prairie, at nightfall, way.
worn and weary traveller was orertaken By
a snow-storm. When the first few flakes
came softly dropping down he lookedegerly
around in hope of discovering a place Of
shelter, but none was to be seen-only the
trackless waste of rolling lands and far of
bills in the direction whittier be was going
so far off that lie never should reach
them. With the departure of light the
snow began falling faster, the wind blew
keener, the road owe, the prairie was soon
hidden from view, and the traveller felt
that be was lost in trackless waste, with
out star to guide him across the danger
Gus country.


"This is terrble!" said he aloud. 81
fear much l shall never come to my desti-
nation. If l had but compass and a
light should not fear, for 1 could resist the
effects of cold long enough to reach the
hills, and there l should find human habi-
tations, or at least the shelter of rock
Now, l may go in a circle till l freeze, and
be no nearer help. What fool was 10
leave the river side and cross the prairie just
for the sake of few miles more or less
journey. No matter; must battle it out
now, Heaven helping"


And battle it out he did most manfully.
He drew his cap down over his ears and
brow, and his fur collar up over his mouth,
and thrusting his hands deeper in his pock-
cts, pressed on through the yielding snow.
The gloom increased, the wind came sharp
er and through his beavey clothes the trav-
eler began to feel the effects of the cold.
His feet grew numb, his arms chilled, and
after an hours rapid walking be suddenly
paused.


allow do I know whittier 1 am going?"
he exclaimed. "Perhaps l have already
turned aside from the straight line, and
am wandering on the verge of destruction.
o, that could shake off this drowsy feel
ing that is stealing over me. know what
it is-the precursor of rest in this cold
winding sheet of snow. Great Heaven l
am freezing TO deathr' shrieked he;
bounding forward with renewed energy.
"Action-action-action is life, and life is
too sweet to loose yet!'


He hurried along with springing mo-
tion, stamping bis feet vigorously at every
step, and swinging his arms to keep the
blood. in circulation. Yet with all his ef-
forts he knew the angel of death was fold
ing his white wings silently but surely
around him.


"Depsair-no," he cried, "not while the
memory of my wife and dear children is
left me. will struggle on for your sakes,
and fight to the last extremity. o, Just
Heaven, for the sake of the innocent ones
whose only stay is my right arm, help me
to resist-help me to triumphT'


AT this moment be plunged into hol-
low, his feet strobe over ice, and be heard
the voice of streamlet singing of life and
action beneath its icy crust. At the same
time the smell of wood smoke saluted his
nostrils.


30, Tnou, who reignest above" said he,
81 thank Thee that Thou hast heard my
prayer. Helps near me.


he reeieu heaVIly onward Inrougn tne
binding now, and saw just before him
low shed; one more struggle and he fell
against it. In an instant he OWNED its
character. With last desperate struggle
he found the door, threw it open and rush
ing in, flung himself upon the floor at full
length; knowing only that he was in an at
reeking with the fumes of bacon,
and warm with the smoke that rose from
a pan OF smothered Goals in the center of
the place. 1t was settlers rude smoke |
house, left 10 care for itself during the
long winler's night and the travellers CRATE
ful heart sent up tribute to Heaven for
for this place of refuge in the desert of
snow.


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