The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-20
THE BR|GANDS or THE WEST,
OR
JOHN LONG,
The Wolf of the Prairies.

The female who had charge Of the kitchen,
whence the Wolf of the Prairies had been con-
signed, was a stout German girl OF some twenty
years of age, with q smart, black eye, cheek
whose flaming color seemed as il 1t had been
scalded in, or as if it's very blood was constantly
oozing through the pores, and about whose
whole appearance there was a prevailing plump
ness which appeared ready to burst its confines,
not only at the girdle but at every point OF her
contour.
She received the negro's reference Of the
visitor to her hospitality with some surprise,
but having measured him from head to foot
with steady stare, and finding nothing re-
pulsive in his appearance, she pointed ont
stool and motioned him to sit down.
The kettle which was to supply hot water for
the folks up stairs was steamlng on the hob
large cat lay colled upon the hearth. the bright
tins which graced the wall reflected back the
cheerful light OF the fire, and the whole scene
was picture of domestic comfort that entered
the soul even of that man OF blood and made
him draw long breath OF vlrtuous pleasure,
the like OF which had seldom been the fortune
OF his ferocious life to feel. Ii had been his
lot to be born of parents who acknowledged to
the world no obligations, even of good manners,
who had bequeathed to him the spirit Of wolf,
and inculcated outlawry by a disregard OF all
those household forms and nice family deco
runs, which smooth the soul and train it by an
imperceptible system IN the road OF order. He
had grown rankly and lrreguarly. his impulses
and habits taking shape from the minute capric-
es Of affairs around him, AZ the sandy strata of
the beach is fashioned by the winds until it
settles into rock. Nevertheless, though he had
only seen them by accident, and behed comfort
in glimpses. he knew how to appreciate both
when they fell in his way, as a savage may feel
instructive JOY at a strain Of cultivated melody
or as q stream, which has been trained in the
perplexlty OF thousand declivit es basks in
serene repose, in every broad lagoon which
spells all its fretfulness previous to a new
descent.
Such was the breath Of satisfaction which the
perverted robber drew as he laid his bundle on
the floor and cast his eyes around the tidy room
The girl hustled in his service, and soon dish
of plethora rolls, which exhaled fresh and
grateful odor from crevices where they had
burst with their own steam, was set before him
and dish of beef to match, Which told the
epilogue of an abundant dinner When the
edge of his appetite had been som awhat over
laid, the marauder directed his attention rather
more closely to the girl who had planted herself
opposite him. and concerning her to be in
pleasant mood he ventured 10 begin q conversa-
ton. At first he found her hesitating and re-
luctant, but soon an adroit simplicity Of man
ner, which he knew well how 10 assume, won
her respect, and gave him an exchange Of chat
out Of which he drew various items that he
quietly noted down in his memory as likely to
be servicable to HIM. We can only march into
the confidence OF person who is skilled in the
forms and ceremonies of society by degrees
but when the simple and the ignorant let down
the barriers OF reserve, the road to their trust
is generally left open. 1t was so with the
German girl, and before the old gentleman OF
the mansion who had directed him to the kitchen
had sent Jack to summon him up stairs again,
Long had several compliments with Barbara,
and learned, among the rest OF her free com
munlcauons, that the negro Jack had sweet
heart within short distance of the farm. This
he had learned by saying he had understood
that Jack was devoted TO Mr.. Henderson
whereupon he had obtained the reply. that his
information was 80 true, that the fellow had
abstained from marrying young Wench whom
he fancied very much rather than leave his
master. From this point all further particular
on this branch were easily elected, and the rob-
ber stored the facts away as means which
would help him long way to his ultimate pur
pose. Before following Jack up stairs, Long
took from his finger PLAIN gold ring and re-
markmgto Barbara that he perhaps might never
have the good fortune to see her again, dropped
the trinket in her bosom as present. There
WAS no chance on her part to refuse it, for it
descended in an instant beyond the reach OF
her fingers, and the most she could do was TO
blush back the compliment from behind her
ears-her cheeks being always at climax.
The old gentleman of the mansion took the
robber to his private room, aud there COM
menced questioning HIM as to the wealth Of
the fictitious Mr.. sheppard who proposed the
purchase of his farm.
The answers OF Long we're OF course in keep
iub Nith OhC u1pOtucbir OH WHICH, ub udu OD-
tanned entrance to the house, and he described
the circumstances Of the illusory capitalist of
Carlinvie 80 adroitly that the old gentleman
was at length induced TO assume that he knew
HIM, and had only introduced this investigation
to see il the views Of his visitor would square
with his own.-not an unusual course with peo-
pie Of vain minds, but one which unfortunately
never fails to lead them into trouble The old
gentleman then entered into fluent descup-
ton of his estate on the Macoupin, represent
ed that he had not finally concluded to sell, but
that, as he had desire to return to MIassa-
chusetts, he would, if proper sum were offer
ed, part with it. As a measure of the price he
mentioned that he had received five thousand
dollars but few days before for part that
was inferior to the reserve which he now had on
hand and which in addition had the advantages
OF the mansion and excellent out houses, which
his visitor might inspect 10 the morning.
What will be the terms OF sale :" asked
Long.
"In this case would make them favorable. i"
said the old gentleman " / obtained nearly all
n. all for what disnosed NJ the o.bar dev h,,,