Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-05-19
ONE STORMY NIGHT.
A ,tormy night, indeed


the rain came down in streams, ~ if
the sky were great sieve, and not a
ray of light found its way through the
black clouds The giant fir trees bent
and swayed in the fierce wind, and sent
their wild, wailing voices down through
gulch and canon to minge with the
roar Of the creek and cataract, or fell
before the rocks that crushed down the
mountain sides. The terrified cattle
lowed and cried in their carrals, hud-
ding together for warmth and sym
pathy. Indoors people drew close to-
gether, crowding around the hearth
fires that blazed IN fitful, almost un-
canny way
In n way-side inn, on the mountain
road, little company sat thus gathered
about an immense fireplace that glow
ed and famed like bonfire, and not
content with cheering the great room,
sent its beacon-light out at the windows
to defy the night and the storm.
There was Mike Malone, the land.
lord, and Kitty, his fat, funny wife ;
little Maria, the Spanish girl who Mike
and Kitty had "rared" Jake, the stable
liiail, anu lhSi, bul lob i'H
Bat" the French Canadian wood
cutter. There was nothing in the young
fellows appearan re to suggest the wing
ed horror whose name he bore. 1t
was was merely ii sobriquet for Bap-
tiste. Jack seldom awaited himself of
the abreviation, but, slowly and en-
phatcally, styled him "Canuck," usu-
ally prcfxing Il descriptive that had
more force than elegance. 1t was i'll
natured, to say the least, for Bat was
one of the kindest fellows in the world
"and the ways of him" as Kitty said
"was wan sthrame % sunshine; but
sure" she added, Jake is that Jealous
that he can't trate him dacent, though
I'd sooner see Maree quiet in her grave
nor married to the likes av him. Av
she's in love Wid the Friedman?
There ye have me now. She's that
quare and shy, Maree is, that we niver
can tell her mind till she PLACES to let
ye know, and on this subject she hasn't
PLACED yit.',
And that was quite true, for when
Bats blue eyes, sparkle with fun and
deep with the light of love, beamed up
on thu little dark-eyed beauty, her long
lashes swept her cheeks; sometimes
not until the quick eyes of Jake had
seen the outsprlnglng OF an answering
love, though not at Bats gallant wooing
could bring word of it to her lips
silent, cautious little Maria, who doubt
ed the way manners of this rollllcklng
knight of the ax.
did ever yees listen to the lokie O
that?' exclaimed Mike, ut sudden
crashing sound.
Kitty and Bat crossed themselves fer
veutly, but Jake, with unmoved, sullen
face sat and glowered at the fire. at
is a voice /" she cried.
lndade, thin, it's the voice of many
wathers,' laughed Kitty, though rather
nervously
ITS human voice; it is calling for
help"
Oats nobody helse'll be on de road
a Night like dat I'll bet he's call for
Jake he added, roguishly.
A deeper glover was Jake's only re-
ply, but soon lifting his head, he said;
"She's right, Maree is; ther some one
calm"
"Out wild yees men, til the riscue ~
cried Kitty, Selling Mikes bat and coat
and thrusting them upon ann.
''Shure ye're spankin,' said Mike,
ruefuny preparing to leave the CHEEKY
hearth.
Bat, aroused by the light in Maria's
flashing eyes, sprang up with enthuSi-
asm, for, low he it spoken, he WIS not
grand heroic soul. His brave deeds
were mostly born of impulse and
nourished 10y the appreciation ofothers.
Jake sullenly joined them, but before
they reached the door it opened, and
full in the freight appeared tall form,
and handsome, yellow bearded face-a
striking picture, with the dark night for
a background.
by me sowl it's the docther. What
brings We out in the loike o this p
Il don't go abroad in Satans name,
Mike laughed the doctor, making his
way to the fire, and taking the chair
that Kitty had hastend to place for
him.
mo more ye don't, docther its hiv-
ems own saryant We are, she said, ear
nestly. ''Bestir yersilf, Mike, and
bring him something hot to drink, for