The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-07-06
GRALEY AND HIS SISTER,

saw. "Worn OUT with work on large
daily newspaper I was advised by q
physician to seek not only rest, but rec
reation, where could not even see
newspaper. "By the way" the physi.
clan added, II see that quite numbe,
of health-restoring springs have beer
discovered in Arkansaw. You might &C
out there, find spring, sit down nea,
it, and remain until benefited or fully
prepared to successfully dispute any
statement that migat be made in sub.
sanitation of the waters efficacy"
This refined, not to say stupid attempt
at humor was followed by serious advice
had tried fashionable watering places
for summers rest, and on every occa.
sion had returned to my work with a
WEAKNESS like that you experience al
morning after having passed an almost
sleepless night. Well, 1 acted upon the
doctors suggestion, and the shabby little
hotel reached, at the conclusion of a long
journey, ending with long days ride in
an old stage coach, an ancient vehicle
whose lungs were like the ceaseless rid
ing of the waves-was my first introduce
ton to the life surrounding the health
restoring springs Of which the physician
had spoken.
Rain had been falling all day. Now
the wind was signing among the trees,
and anon brushing their rugged boughs
against the scarcely less rugged boards
OF the old house. Away up on the hill a
wolf howled and near my window all
owl hooted in eerie dreariness. Out on
gathered, telling old jokes and laughing
lence. To escape this collection Of ora
cles and wits had chosen the solitude
ofthe little room. On the walls found
written with charcoal, two announce
ments: "Andrew Jackson" said one,
slept in this room in 1873" The other
inscription conveyed the following piece
of startling intelligence: "Man named
Pete Jones killed in this room in 1856"
l had brought no reading matter with
me, and now that I was brought face to
face with such loneliness with my only
literature consisting of two laconic vol
umes; one establishing historical fact
and the other announcing tragedy, was
beginning to think favorable Of Joining
the rustics when the happy head of a
colored boy was thrust into the room.
"What do you want?" demanded
of the head.
''De gentlemen out heah wanster
know is yer got any terbacker; de kind
what de drummers chaws?"
Tell them don't chew. Why don't
yon go on?" asked after waiting sever
al moments.
he exhibited his front teeth, stood for
q moment longer, and asked: "What
yer gwine ter give me?"
"Give your"
"Yes sab; fur fetchin' de news"
"What news?"
'.De news dat de gentlemen wanted
terbacker."
Get away from that door"
eyes sab; thankee, sah."
I decided not to go out among the ora
cles. Little slivers of wind came through
holes in the window-casing and made
the fame Of the tallow candle almost
dance off the wick. I must have some
thing to read, and | again went to the
DRY" and the unfortunate man who had
been killed in the room. The black
head again appeared.
'What do you want?"
"a white gentleman wanster know is
yer name Mr.. John Hammerton?"
Tel him yes. Say, tell him to come
ln.' 10 meet an acquaintance at such
dreary. place was surely blessing.
Who in this "out-of-the-way place"
knew me?
was the only passenger on the stage
coach: Myselfinterrogation was cut
short by cloud, halo old fellow! By
George! I never expected to see you
out here"
'Henry Graley," I exclaimed, "what
are you doing here? The last man l ex-
where"
''The ways of stage-coaches and mule
teams are mysterious" he replied, and
having finished bis part of the enthusi-
astic greeting, he sat on the little, narrow
bed where Jackson had slept, and regard
ed me for several minutes as though to
prepare himself for the passage of the
bill as to whether or not l was my real
SELF
Grayley and I had been acquainted
for years. At one time in Kentucky, l
published newspaper in a town near
his fathers stock farm. l say that the
town was near the farm, for the farm
was so much larger than the town that
to reverse the expression would be in
revolution in politics, I found it neces-
sary to sell out, or rather to 20 out, as,
in fact, I had nothing to sell. After /
went to large city, met Grayley, who
informed me he was en- route for Europe,
where he expected to remain several
years. II have just returned from Eu-
rope" said my friend, when we en-.
tered again into conversation. Eight
years is long time to be away from
home"
"What are you doing out here"
asked.
{ You see, father lives IN this neighbor-
hood. About year ago he met with re-
verses that compelled him to sell his
stock farm in Kentucky. Hearing of an
old farm with wonderful spring out in
this country, he came here, purchased
the place, and may add, has retired
from the turf. My mother died six
years ago. My sister Alice who by now
is g young lady, must find it rather dull
I have not been home yet, having
reached here tonight by special wagon.
heard you talking to the negro boy and
thought recognized your voice. So
you have come for your health? Glad
OF 1t. shall take charge of you. In
the morning We'll go to fathers where
you shall remain during y our entire va
cation"
I did not protest. The prospect had
undergone a change. Instead of vaca-
ton of dreariness, was to be among
old friends. Alice, remembered her, a
little girl with an expression SO question
ing that she seemed to have an interro-
cation point in each eye.
Jackson's bed was very marrow, but
both of US lay on it. It would be un-
necessary to say slept. Just as had
begun to doze, travelling along with SEN
sations of riding in stage coach, the
happy head appeared. He wanted to
know what Graley was going to give him.
This" Graley replied, and reaching for
a boot, he hurled it at the woody head.
The head lodged, and luckily, too, for
Graley had thrown my boot instead of 'hiss
own. ,.. .%&
When we arose the sun was brightly
shining. The COWS jingled their bells,
and the partridge, with dew on his crest
flew over the glen in resDOnse to the