Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-04-10
gals arlD ghetfBfs.
CAUGHT A PRAIRIE STORM

'Prairies The very name makes ne
shiver. When covered with snow they
are trackless as is the ocean to an un-
skilled navigator. l would about rs soon
cross the Sahara without guide as to try
to get over the snowy plains of the West
and Northwest. The real fright L once
had in one of these tracts, sir, was bad
enough to serve me for life time.'
Tell us about it, Captain
well, don't mind. Ny Uncle Dan
and his family were staying at the ID. set
tlement, for he had taken the western fever
and they were out there. Uncle Dan was
always speculator though he did man.
age to line his pocket well. He purchased
a vast tract of land at D., with an eye, il
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 to per-
sonal advantage. l was out helping him.
The family consisted of two grown-up
daughters and two young sons, and there
was niece, Cordelia. From the moment
l saw Cordelia Berdwell thought great
deal of her. Perhaps that's why stayed
in the uncivilized place.
Role, said Uncle Dan, one morning in
the latter part of the winter, 1t looks like
fine day, does it not p
Clear and bright, sir, | believe
Aye, likely to last. What say you 10
taking Brown Bess and going to Bingley s
Mills for ne 2
Il will 90 with pleasure, Uncle DAN
The weather may break up any week,
now, Rolfe, and l must have the timber
ready down the river as far as the forks
with the freshets. There's n master lot to
go down next season, and we shall have a
vast deal of teaming to bring it over here
from the forks. But, Role, know it will
be a good speculation. BY erecting num-
Der of cheap, substantial buildings on Sec
tions Of my land, can advertise and sell
lirst-rate'
We'll, sir, am ready to 90 over to Bing-
ley's Mills for you and make what arrange
ments you please about the timber
so, Hector, boy, 90 out and get the
mare harnessed.'
Uncle Dan, may 60 to Bingley's Mills,
too p cried 4 pleading, pretty voice, as
Hector leaped off after his errand
4 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
journey, Della p
1t is a 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
Mira, l think-with quite an eager tone,
and poor Della never goes anywhere
That was true but still l felt aston
ished. Later knew that it was a kind of
a conspiracy. The girls all wanted to get
some trustworthy person to the postofiice
at Bingley's Mills to post letters and get
some that were laying there not intended
for papa and mamma to read
Il really don't know why Della should
not co. said the unsuspicious, good-na-
tured uncle. You will be sure to take
care of her, Rolfe 2
IN try to, SIR
SO in less than half an hour from the
time it was mentioned, was gathering up
the reins, and Brown Bess was tossing her
head until the bells jingled merrily.
It's royal travelling called out Uncle
Dan, as we started. Don't be out too
late, Rolfe, for there has been severe snap
in the weather lately, and
The rest was lost in the crunching Of
the crusty snow, and the ding ding, ding,
of the cup-shaped bells.
This is an unexpected honor, Miss Cor
della began, as the sleigh went smoothly
along.
Susan and Almira voted me their mill
lister plenipotentiary,' she responded coldly.
L and Cordelia, who was no blood rela-
ton Of mine, had falling out of 4 recent
date which made il 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.
1T happened one evening about week
before. My aunt had party-for there
were settlers enough in the vicinity to give
us social evenings-and about dozen peo-
pie were present. You may fancy, per-
baps, that we have no intelligent spirits on
the prairies but that is a mistake.
'COrdelia and disputed about the rela-
tive characteristics of men and women.
The sweet attributes Of patience, purity
and consistency she claimed entirely for
her sex. | gave genius, persistency and
strength of character to mine. To vex her
still further, averred my opinion that
women were mass of sentimentality, i'm
promptu shrieks and vacillation.
Il had gone too far. She took It serious
ly. With a fash of scorn from her bril-
liant eyes and a heightened color she arose,
went to the other side Of the room and
busted herself with some old ladies.
The storm had not blown over. Cor
della retained her anger. More hurt at it