The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-10-22
NANCY JONES' BABY.


rushed through the canyons. The tall
pines tossed and bent their heads at each
rude blast of the storm. Masses of black
clouds hung like a funeral pail over the
mountains and the rain poured down in
torrents.
Rabbit creek bounded down its narrow
bed, carrying all before it. .whirling and
wybthing like a huge serpent, taking its
way with rapid leaps, bearing on its foam
ing bosom a mass of rubbish. Great
logs and stumps of trees caught from
their resting places on some hillside,
were borne on till lost to sight. Now
and then sluice box came floating down
until dashed to pieces against boulder,
telling of disaster to some poor miner
further up the gulch. On, on swept the
rushing waters, taking in their rude en-
brace all that crossed the path of their
fury.
Sudden and awful had been the com.
ing of the storm, as if delay had strength
ened its power and given new energy to
ats herceness. Then came the change
from warmth to cold-from rain to snow
and soon the rugged hills were piled
with huge drifts. The whirling masses
we're borne en- and scattered The trees
we're heavy with their burden, and when
sOme blast more rude than others stirred
their branches, the grateful limbs lifted
their heads and tossed about with joy at
their relief. -.
The town of, Rabbit Creek stands un-
sheltered on, the hillsides, and in its un-
protected state had been exposed to the
fury of the Storm The small, rude
houses were rocked by. every blast till
they trembled on their slight founda-
tions.
In the principal bar room of the town
was gathered the greater part of the
male population. 1t was a large room,
with tables, scattered around its side; in
the center stood a billiard. table, the boast
and pride of its proprietor, and he had
often been heard to say:
"See that billiard table? 1t cost for
tune to set up that ere piece of furniture
in my saloon" And then as surprise
and wonder was depicted on the face of
his listener, the owner of that "'ere
table" would give the astonishing inform
alton that "she was packed across the
mountains on mule"
In the corner stood the mammoth
stove, and along side of it pile of logs,
for ample were the heating accommoda-
tions of cold McKenzie's" saloon, and
the larger part of the crowd were gath
cred around its warm sides taking in its
cheering heat. The smiling hosts rubi-
cund countenance shone like new brass
tea-kettle, as he rushed around attending
to the wants of his patrons. He finally
addressed one of the crowd near the stove
with:
"I say, Jake, it's started in good. You
were in luck; if you had been day
later you would have had to come over on
snow-shoes."
The answer came in a voice singularly
low and sweet, for the person spoken to
was man Of great size and as he stood
with his back to the stove, his gleat coat
almost reaching the floor, he looked like
a giant. There was an indescribable air
of grace and refinement about the man,
and the face that looked out from the
broad brimmed hat was handsome and
yet sad
7" Yes, Mac; / was lucky, as you say;
and If it keeps on in this way long, we
shall be blocked in for couple of
weeks"
One or two of the crowd here gave
theft opinion as to the chances for hard
winter; but their conversation came to an
abrupt termination as the door of the
saloon opened with rush, and in came
figure which, at first, looked like mass
of snow, but, by dint of much shaking
and stamping Of feet, it finally assumed
the shape of man, who, as he pulled off
his heavy coat, disclosed to the crowd the
well-known features of the only doctor on
Rabbit Greek.
A run of salutations greeted him from
all sides, for Doctor Holmes was man
respected by old and young. He had a
pale, refined face, with the sharpest ofgray
eyes looking out from jet-black eyebrows,
and people said, when the Doctor got
riled, thosegray eyes snapped and glared,
giving the person who met his displeas-
ure some insight into the character of the
man they had to deal with. ,ms :"
After the Doctor said, chow are you,
boys" he turned to Mckenzie and called
for drink, when his ye,caught sight of
the tall figure by the: stove, and then
why, Jake Morse, how are your
The same low, sweet voice answered,
First rate Doc, how are you. Come
getsnearer the stove, and put some warmth.
into your bones. Who Is sick in town ?
It's a'bad night for even q doctor to be
The pOcsor:made his way to the stove,
s.Weu, Iwill tell you something that.
VI. Viii surprise YOU and every one in Rab-
The crowds which, had been scattered
in diaefsnt farts Of the bar-roonJ engaged
in playing cafds or discussing The latest
news from'Friscos gathered around tue
DQct2L.Qr neglected. their pccupation, TO.
hear what he had to say, for surprises st
Rabbit Geek wag n novelsyi Mckenzie
handed kthezDctof lSss sdrfnksSAHd Akf1e