Year: 1861


On distant prairie, at nightfall, n way
worn and weary traveller was overtaken by
a snow storm. When the FIRST few fakes
came softly dropping down, he looked
eagerly around in the hope of Discerning q
place Of shelter but none was to be seen;
only the trackless waste of rolling lands, and
far.of bills in the direction whether he was
goiDg-so far or that he feared he never
should reach them. With the departure of
light the snow began falling faster, the wind
blew keener, the road over the prairie was
soon hidden from view, and the travlcr felt
that he was lost on trackless waste, with
out q star to guide him across the danger
Gus country. ......


This is terriblep said he aloud. i fear
much shall never come to my destination.
If had but compass and light should
not fear, for could resist the effects Of cold
long enough to reach the hills, and there l
should find human habitations, or at least
the shelter Of rock Now may go in o
circle till freeze, aud be no nearer help.
What fool was, to leave the river side
and cross the prairie Just for the sake of
few miles more or less journey No matter;
must even battle it out now, Heaven hglp-
ing. ~.


And battle it .'out did most man
fully. He drew his cap down over bis ears
and his brow, and his fur collar up over his
mouth, and thrusting his hands deeper in his
pockets. pressed on through the yielding
snow. The gloom increased, the wind came
sharper, and through his heavy clothes the
traveller began to feel the effects cf the cold
His feet grew numb, his arms chilled, and
after an hours rapid walking, he suddenly
paused.


How do know whittier 1 am going be
exclaimed. Perhaps have already turned
aside from the straight line, and am wander
ing on the verge of destruction. o, that
could shake of this drowsy feeling that is
stealing over me know what it s-the
precursor of rest in this cold windng-sheet
Of snow. Great Heaven, / am freezing to
death = shrieked he, bounding forward with
renewed energy. 'Action--aciion--ac
is life, and life is too sweet to loose yet 7


He hurried along with springing motion,
stamping his feet vigorously at every step,
and swinging his arms to keep the blood in
circulantion. Yet with all its efforts, he
knew that the augel of death was folding
his white wings silently but surely around
him. M Ff. -.#I


Despair nor he cried, not while the
memory Of my loved wife and dear children
is left to me. will struggle on for your
sakes, and fight the storm.fend to the last
extremity. o, just for the sake of the in.
nocent ones whose only stay is my right
arm-belp me to resist-help me to tri.
umph = ...H 'aI


At this moment he plunged into hollow,
his feet strobe over ice, and he heard the
voice of streamlet singing of life aud action
beneath its icy crust. AT the same time
the smell Of wood smoke saluted his nos.
trilS I--.f


%, Thou who reignest above he eiacu.
lated, I thank the that Thou hast heard my
prayer. Help is near me-


He reeled heavily onward through the
binding snow, and saw just before him low
shed; one more struggle, and he fell against
it. In an instant he divided its character.
With last desperate effort he found the
door, threw it open, and rushing in flung
himself full length upon the floor, knowing
only that he was iu an atmosphere reeking
with the fumes Of bacon, and warm with
the smoke which rose from pan of smoth-
cred Goals in in the center of the place. It
was settlers rude some house, left TO care
for itself during the long winters night, and
the Travellers grateful heart sent up q tribute
to Heaven for this place Of refuge in the
desert Of snow.


In a large log cabin in the valley of The
streamlet, Milly Dean sat alone. Her bus.
band had gone to a distant town, and the
young wife was left with her baby. Ac-
customed to the solitude, she felt safe, and
sat in contentment before tn blazing fire.
the flames leaped right joyfully up the chin.
ney, and the green logs sizzed and cracled
in the heat like things of life. Out doors,
the wind was bowling dreadfully, and the
snow falling heavily but Milly cared not,
for it only made the fire more cheerful.


There came rOpping at the door.


How strange Who eau that be at our
door in this wild night2 p she said to her
self, as she rose and went into the little
entry.


The rappiDg was repeated. ..rf.
'WhoiS there she asked. I'd.


'FoT heavens sake let me in am freez
ing to death was the reply.


who are you and how came you here
in this lonely place on such an evening as
this p t. -


4 am q traveller from below lost my
way, and am dying with cold. For PHYS
sake let me in, or / shall perish =


MilIy hesitated. She sat alone, aud 1t
was three miles to the nearest neighbours.
What should she dOl She paused in per.
plsxity, .#"r 'a'


%, save me--saVe me 4 am dying T.
were the words that met her hearing
There was heavy fall against the sill, and
then low means. Her woman nature could
stand no more true 10 the instincts of her
being, she uubarred the door aud threw it
open A elosely.mutfied figure reeled by
her into the room, aud shutting the door
she followed On reaching the fireplace
the stranger threw of his disguise, and
stood erect and strong, without sigp ofin-
convenience from the effects ofthe weather.
Milly retreated from him in amszemeut ;
but recovering herself, aud putting the best
face on the matter, she tremously addressed
the man (:
Ism sorry Jou are 50 cold. Itis bit