, when listening to this story, I have often thought that
there is enough of interest attached to many events which took place
during the period of the early settlement of that portion of Eastern
Canada which borders on the River St. Francis, to fill volumes, were
they recorded.

The morning had been clear and pleasant, but early in the afternoon
the sky became overcast with dark clouds, and for several hours the snow
fell unceasingly, and now the darkness of night was added to the gloomy
scene. As the night set in, the snow continued to fall in a thick
shower, and a strong easterly wind arose, which filled the air with one
blinding cloud of drifting snow; and the lights in the scattered
habitations in the then primitive settlement of D. could scarcely be
distinguished amid the thick darkness. It was a fearful night to be
abroad upon that lonely and almost impassable road; and Mrs. W. fully
realized the peril to which her husband was exposed on that inclement
night. He had set out that morning, on foot, to visit a friend, who
resided at a distance of several miles, intending to return to his home
at an early hour in the evening. It was a lonely road over which he had
to pass; the habitations were few and far between, and, as the storm
increased with the approach of night, Mrs. W. strongly hoped that her
husband had been persuaded to pass the night with his friend; for she
feared that, had he been overtaken by the darkness of night, he would
perish in the storm; and the poor woman was in a state of painful
anxiety and suspense. The supper-table was spread, but Mrs. W. was unable
to taste food; and, giving the children their suppers, she awaited with
intense anxiety the return of her husband. The storm increased till it
was evident that it was one of unusual severity, even for the rigorous
climate of Canada, and, as the wind shook the windows of their dwelling,
the children often exclaimed in tones of terror: "O! what will become of
poor father if he is out in this storm." Bye-and-bye the tired children
fell asleep, and Mrs. W. was left alone by her fireside. She endeavoured
to quiet her fears by thinking him safe in the house of his friend, but
she could not drive away the thought that he had set out upon his return
home, and she feared, if such was the case, he had met his death in that
pitiless storm. She was two miles from any neighbour, surrounded by her
family of young children; so all she could do was to wait and wa