The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-11-08
CAUGHT IN A PRAIRIE STORM.

''PTairies The very name can make me
shiver. When covered with snow they are
trackless as is the ocean to an unskilled
navigator. / would about as soon cross
the Sahara without guide as to try to
get over the snowy plains of the West and
Northwest. The real fright once had in
one of these tracts, sir, was bad enough to
serve me for lifetime
Tell us about it, captain
''Well, 1 don't mind. My Uncle Dan
and his family We're staying at the d. set
tlement, for he had taken the Western
fever, and they were out there. Uncle
Dan was always speculator-though he
did manage to line his pockets well. He
purchased vast tract of land at d. with
an eye, it must have been, to such promi-
ses as were held out to Abraham of old
for acres and acres of this land he could
never utilize, though later he might sell it
again to personal advantage. I was out
helping him. The family consisted of his
wife, two grown-up daughters and two
young sons, and there was a niece, Corde-
liza. From the first moment l saw Corde-
liza Bardwen l thought great deal of her.
Perhaps that's why stayed in the uncivil-
lied place.
'Rolfe, said Tn Gle Dan, one morning
i'll the latter part of the winter, it looks
like fine day, does it not9'
"'Clear and bright, sir, believe
"'Aye, likely to last. What say you to
taking Brown Bess and going to Bingley's
Mills for me?'
- Il will with n1ao cIlra I-ncln Dan
"'The weather may break up any week,
now, Rolfe, and must have the lumber
ready to come down the river as far as the
forks with the freshets. There's a master
| lot to go down next season, and we shall
have a vast deal of toaming to bring it
/ over here from the Forks. But, Rolfe, l
| know it will be a good speculation. By
erecting a number of cheap substantial
buildings on sections of my land, can ad-
vertise and sell first-rate-'
"'Well, sir, l am ready to go over to
Bingley's Mills for you, and make what ar
rangements you please about the timber
I" SO Hector, boy, go out and get the
mare harnessed.'
"'Uncle Dan, may 1 go to Bingley's
Mills, p cried pleading, pretty voice,
as Hector leaped off on his errand.
II could hardly belle We my ears. The
voice was Cordelia's.
"'The child must be crazy?' cried out
aunt. DO you know the length of the
journey, Delia?'
% Its lovely day, aunt. 1t won't hurt
me-
- Yes, it is a lovely day, mother, SO clear
and calm,' cried one of the other girls
! Myra, l think-with quite an eager tone,
and poor Della never goes anywhere
THAT was true; but still felt aston
ished Later knew that it was kind of
conspiracy. The girls all wanted to get
some trustworthy person to the postoffice
at Bingley's Mills to post letters and get
some that were laying there, not intended
for papa and mamma to read.
% L really don't know why Della should
not go, said The unsuspicious, good-natured
uncle You will be sure to take good care
of her, Rolfe?'
"'I'n try to, sir
| $50 in less than half an hour from the
time it was first mentioned l was gather
| ing up the reins, and Brown Bess was toss
ing her head until the bells jingled merrily.
It's royal travelling, called ont Uncle
Dan, as we started. Don't be out too late,
| Rolfe, for there has been severe snap of
weather lately, and -
''The rest was lost in the cronching of
the crusty snow, and the ping, ping, ping
of the cup-shaped'bells.
g This is an unexpected honor, Miss
Cordelia,' L began, as the sleigh went
smoothly along.
g Susan and Almira voted me their min
lister plenipotentiary, she responded, coldly.
81 and Cordelia-who was no blood re-
lation of mine-had had falling out of
! recent date, which made it all the more
surprising that she should have cared to
go with me that day. She was one of those
high-spirited girls who never strike their
colors.