Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-12-07
4 Blizzard ON THEPLAINS.

AZ SStoDCA ASCA, NSAl paly u "a tilt
regiment was ordered to post in the
distant Northwest, some hundred miles
beyond the limits of railway travel. The
commandant, Capt. Edgar, was east on
Through at the time, and owing to some
unavoidable delay, did not reach Nor
ris, the railway terminus, until his men
had departed in the ambulances pro-
vided for their transportation.
What shameI' exclaimed his son
Frank, as they stood on the piazza of
comfortless apology for hotel. ''To
think of those fellows half way through
With the disagreeable trip, while we
have it all before us!'
The breakfast bell rang, and they en-
tered the house by a door on which
"Dining-HalP' WAS printed in chalk, the
than regularity.
The dining-hall proved to be long,
low room lighted by single windo W,
aud filed with mixed crowd OF frontier
travellers. These appeared to be re-
presentation 0fevery class from gent le-
men hunt5men" to emigrants and In
dams. One Of the later, with blue ear
rings and slit nose, occupied Il seat op-
posite Frank, and his primitive style Of
eating his breakfast seriously interiered
with Franks appreciation Of his own
fried beef and speckleG biscuit.
Can you tell me, said the captain to
red-faced man, eff l can get a team
here to take a couple Of passengers to
Fort-?"
"1ou kin, stage runs regular to the
Indian Agency, and a team comes down
there to meet it for IT, 'irst mail"
Who is the dripr..''
Il be-" Having finished his meal, this
laconlc person. 1eft the room, but i'm
medlately e16erwards thrust his heal
pack and shouted, Then as wants to 60
to the. Agency had better be settling
the< traps and get ready to pile on in
.nirtv minutes. II shan't wait for no
body"
eve know what to expect now, and
that is a great deal" said the captai n
rls,ng brlskly. hurry and dress your
self, Frank"
why. I've only to put my overcoat
on" replied the boy III
More than that" continued the capt
ain. go up stairs and put on over your
tannels one of those suits of chamois-
skin, thatI bought in. st. Paul especially
for this trip. Then add a flannel shirt
and two pairs of woollen stockings, and
when that is done you can begin to talk
about being ready"
But father, don't need it. I never
wore so much in my life"
You never crossed the plains in win
ter before, while have Gro ssed a num-
Der of times, and know Just enough
about IT to provide against all possible
contingencies. 1 have seve raj things to
get vet.'yg l.--f, ar
: Frank was pulling on his second g pair
of stockings when his father came in
with these purchases.
Here's pair of felt boots for each of
u.s." said he, handing one pair to his
son. They are half an inch thick and
Infinitely warmer than leather for riding
Tuck Your pantaloons inside the legs"
WHAT else have your"
Red pepper and some nuts; you can
put them in the pocket of my buffalo
coat; my compass and matches are In
my inside pocket. Now, then, believe
we are ready" and pulling his fur cap
well over his ears, the captain went down
stairs with Frank to find the driver Just
driving up. .-E,.a--rE
The stage was springless double wag-
on with rickety top, drawn by pair of
Indian ponies that looked as if they had
seen more than their share ofhard times,
The captain and Frank promptly seated
themselves, while the semi ga wage semi
civilized and wholly repulsive Indian,
who had disguised Frank at breakfast,
took the remaining seat by the driver.
In ten minutes, the half dozen houses
that bore the name of Morris City were
out OF sight; and in front and on all sides
nothing was to be seen but withered
grass, that rnstled dolefully in the cease
less wind. Nothing broke the monotony
OF the scenes but an occasional "clairn
shanty," which rather added to the gem
| eral dreariness. Once in a while, lack
rabbit reared himself on his hind legs
| to view the wagon, and then went off in
great leisurely leaps.
1t is like being at sea, only n good
deal more forlorn." said Frank; but no
one seemed inclined for conversation.
and they drove on in silence till noon,
| when the ponies were drawn up ut a
. small frame house containing one room
about six feet square,
well feed here, announced the
driver, land you'd better hurry up and
get at it, as |, want to be started again.
It's too cold to fool on the way, and it
will be dark early"
A plate of fried fat pork and another
one of just such speckled biscuit as
Frank had taken exception to at break
fast time, formed the meal. l5 =
"How are you feeling, Frank" said
his father, throwing off his coat and
warming himself by the fire.
"I'm chilly, without being cold clear
through, except my feet"
Feet cold, are they? Well now is the
time for the pepper. Just slip off your
stockings and pepper the inside with