The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-02-06
CAUGHT IN A PRAIRIE STORM

CAUGHT IN PRAIRIE STORM.
"Prairies The very name can make
me shiver When covered with snow
they are as trackless as is the ocean to an
unskilled navigator l would as soon
cross the Sahara without guide as to
try to get over the snow plains of the
West and Northwest The real fright |
once had in one of these tracts, sir, was
bad enough to last me for lifetime"
''Tell US about it, Captain
'Wel, 1 don't mind Ny Uncle Dan
settlement, for he had taken the West
ern fever, and they were out there.
Uncle Dan was always speculator-
though he did manage to line his peck
cts well. He purchased vast tract of
land at d. with an eye. it must have
been, to such promises 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 on
personal advantage.
| was out helping him. The family
consisted of his wife, two grown-up
daughters, and two young sons, and
there was a young niece, Cordela. From
the first minute | saw Cordelia Bard
well | thought great deal of her. Per
haps that's why | staid in the uncivil-
lied place.
''Rolfe," said Uncle Dan, one morn
ing in the latter part of the winter, it
looks like fine day, does it not?
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 viii go with pleasure, Uncle
Dan"
1.-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 freshet. There's a
master lot to go down next season, and
we shall have vast deal of teaming to
bring it over here from the forks But
Rolfe, | know it will be good specula-
ton. By erecting a number of cheap,
substantial buildings on sections of my
land, | can advertise and sells first
rate"
well, sir, [ am ready to go over to
Bingley's Mill for you and make what
arrangements you please about the tim
ber."
80, Hector, boy, go out and get the
mare harnessed.'
''Uncle Dan, may [ go to Bingley's
Mills, ,oo?' cried pleading, pretty,
voice, as Hector leaped off on his errand.
Il could hardly believe my ears. The
voice was Cordeia's
"The child must be crazy cried our
aunt.
do you know the length of the jour
ney, DeIia?"
lisa lovely day. aunt. 1t won't
hurt me"
eyes. i;'s a lovely day, mother, so
clear and calm, cried one of the girls
Myra-l think-with quite an eager
tone, and poor Della never goes any
where"
That was true but still | felt aston
ished. Later knew that it was kind
Of Il.
get some trustworthy person to the post
Office at Bingiey's Mills 10 post Ielters
and get some that were laying there not
intended for papa or mamma to read
Il really dent know why Della should |
net go. said the unsuspicious. good ma
tured uncle You will be sure to take
caro- of her, Rolfe ?'
Il viii try to. sir
So, in eSs than half hour from the /
time it was first mentioned, | was gath |
ring up the relns, and Brown Bess was |
tossing her head until the bells iingled |
merrily.
Its royal travelling" called out Tn
Gle Dan. as we started. Don't be out
late, Rolfe. for there has been severe
snap of weather lately, and
~ he rest was lost in the crunching OF /
the snow, and the ping, ping. ping OF
the cup shaped bells.
This is an unexpected honor, Miss
Cerdelia. y began, as the sleigh went
smoothly along.
Susan and Almira voted me their |
minister pleripotentiary, she respond
ed coldly.
II and Cordelia-who was no blood |
relation 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 wa
one of those high spirited girls who
never strike their colors
1t happened one evening about week
before my aunt had a party-ior there
weie settlers enough in the vicinity to
give Us socia! evenings. and about
dozen people were present. You may
fancy, perhaps. that We have no iuteln-
gent spir.ts cox On The pralries: but
that is mistake.
Cordelia and l disputed about the
relative characteristic, of me All -
men, She claims tn sw. ct attributes
OF patience. purity, and consistency