Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-04
Tales and Saetelscs.
CAUGHT IN PRlIgIE STORM.

are trackless as is the ocean to an TN
skilled navigator. | would about as soon
cross the Sahara without a guide as to try
TO get over the snow plains OF the West
aud 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"
well don't mind by 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 specuator--though he
did manage to line his pockets well. He
purchased a vast tract Of land al d. with
an eye, 1t must have been, to such prom
ises as were held out to Abraham OF old :
tor acres and acres OF this land he could
never utilize, though later he might sell ii
again to personal advantage.
was ont helping him. The family
consisted Of his wife, two grown-up
daughters, and two young sons. and there
was Il Young niece. Cordelia. From the
! first minute | saw Cordela Bartlwel
thought great deal of her. Perhaps
that's why stay in the uncivilized place" ="
"Rolte,' said Uncle Dan, one morning
in the latter part OF the winter, ali looks
like fine day, does it not ?"
Clear and bright. sir, believe
AYE. likely to last. What say You 10
taking Brown Bess and going to Binglev's
Mills for me-"
81 will go with pleasure, Uncle Dam"
! The weather may break up any week,
row, Role. and | must have the lumber
ready to come down the river rs far as
! the forks with the freshet. There's mas
ter lot to 90 down next season. and we
shall have vast deal OF teaming TO bring
/ it over here from the forks. But Rolie,
know it will be- a good speculation. BY
erecting number OF cheap substantial
buildings on sections Of my land, can
advertise and sell first rate.
/ well, sir, am ready to go over to
Bingley's Mills for you and make what az
rangements you please about the timber
$50, Hector. boy, 60 cut and get the
mare harnessed.
"Uncle Dan. may 60 to Bingley's
Mills. tooP' cried pleading, pretty voice,
| rs Hector leaped Oft on his errand.
Il could hardly believe my ears The
voice was Cordelia's.,'
| The child must be crazy cried our
aunt.
DO you know the length OF The jour
ney. Delia?
''lt's lovely day, aunt. 1t won't hurt
me-"
Yes, it is q lovely day. mother, so
clear and calm" cried one OF the other
girls-Myr's--i thiuk-,vith quite an eager
,onc, and poor Della never goes any
where"
/ That was true; 6nt sti3 | felt aston
i:led. Later knew that it was kind Of
! conspiracy. The girls all wanted to get
some trustworthy person to the post office
at Bngley's Mills to post letters and get
some that We're laying there, not Intended
! ior papa or mamma 10 read.
II really don't know why Della should
not CO." said the unsuspicious, good ma
tured uncle. You will be sure to take
care Of her, Rolte9."
Il will try TO, Sir
So. in less than halt an hour from the
time it Was first mentioned, | was gather
ing up the reins, and Brown Bess was
tossing her head until the bells .iingled
mewiy.
Its royal travelling, called out Uncle
Dan, as we started. Don't be out late.
Roie, for there has been severe snap Of
weather lately. and
The rest was lost in the crunehing Of
the cruSty STOW, aud the ping, ping.
ping OF the cup-shaped bells
! This is an unexpected honor, Miss
Coidelia,' began, - the sleigh went
smoothly along.
"Snsun and Almira voted me their min
ister plenipotentiary," he responded,
coldly
: IL and Cordclia-vho was no blood re-
/ lation Of mnc-had had a falling ont 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.
Ii happened one evening about q week
before, my aunt had a party--lor there
were settlers enough in the vicinity to
give rs social evenings, and about u doz-
en people We're present. lOn may fan
cy. pen haps, that we have no Intelligent
spirits on thu prarics; bet that IS mis-
take.
/ Cordelia and disputed about the rela-
+ tiye characteristics oI men and women.
She claimed the sweet attributes of pa
! lieuce, pSxitE and consistency; claimed
them entirely for her sex. cave genius,
pers>tency and strength Of character 10
mine. 10 veX her sill further, aycrrcd
my opinion that women We're mass OF
aehlimchtatNA, lmpfomptu Shllehs ahd
/ yacilAIion.
had gone too lar. She took It serious
Iy.-Wi h y ila>h of scorn from her bril-,
liant eyes and Il heightened color, she
arose, went to the other side Of the room
and busted herself with some old ladies.
The storm had not Llown over. Cor
della retained her anger. More hurt at it
than would confess, would gladly have
begged her pardon, but her manner re-
pulsed all overtures OF reconciliation.
Once, when l had accidentally caught
hold OF her hand. she twisted her own
away and gave 4 scorniul iling to mine.
Now you know just what our social at
mosphere was, when fate, that winter
morning, decided that we should start
together on that long ride.'-
The bells danced merrily, the air was
clear, the sky blue; all things were pleas
ant except Della. Say what / would, she
was uugracious and hardly answered me-
7 suppose she wanted me 10 understand
that She had not come with me tor pleas
ure. but to get the letters. We had gone
miles beyond the last settlers cabin that