Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-07-06
ssPERsEvERANCE."

against tne sulieu Slen, $1,000 little cabin
with its thread-llke wreath Of smoke curl
ing upward, and an old fisherman sitting
r,ending his nets on a bench beside the
door.
Aud Mr.. Creston, who had been wander.
ing hopelessly among the marshes for some
time, with lively sense Of the inconyen.
1ence Of getting lost in those saline deserts
tood and stared at it as If it were will-o',
the-wisp.
I'm sure it couldn't have been there five
minutes ago, he pondered within him
self.
"Evenin', stranger!" said old zadoo
Peck. Been shootin', eh?"
I've lost my way, said Cheston, plunp-
ing through the tall reeds, until at last he
gained secure footing by the cabin door.
well, ! thought likely" commented
Zadoc. Amt many folks comes here a
purpose"
could obtain nights lodging and
some supper1" limited our weary snoIts.
II guess So" serenely answered Mr.
Peck, ''if you don't mind sleepin' up parret.
AS for supper, Perseverance has gone out
to dig CLAIMS for US. Like baked CLAWS
eh?"
His son" thought the major. sWhat
quaint couple they must be /"
But he sat down in the red light and
looked at the morning glory vines trained
to the window, the busy fingers of the old
man. the murmuriag wilderness of reeds
and rushes beyond.
That's right, said zadoc; set down and
take it easy. Perseverance will be back
pretty quick with the clans, and then You'll
get some good, hot supper. Perseverance
is q master hand to cook"
oparsavnrppraD oo,,o
Major Cheston's infinite surprise. she was
no lubberly boy, nor half civilized Young
man. but tall, blooming maiden of sixteen
with Jetty hair floating down her back
large, dark eyes, long lashed and almond
shaped-and cheeks like roses. Her short
gypsy. like skirts revealed shapefy brown
ankles and pretty feet, yet bearing the i'm
press of the wet sands where
she had waded out to dig clans, and on one
arm she carried q basket of clans, whose
weight would have been no triHe even to
the stalwart muscles of this major of cav
airy
She was not at all embarrassed by the
presence OF a stranger, but came frankly ur
70 him, setting down her basket to examine
the contents of his game bag
You've had poor luck, stranger, haven't
your she said, pltingly. 81 could ha done
better myself, on them marshes at this
time O year."
'Persevemnce is first rate shot,"
chuckled the old man. go now, girly,
and cook us some supper
line roast CLAIMS, coffee and corn bread
were most Dalatable: and after supper.
Major Cheston gave Persever ance news
paper from his pocket.
1T is this mornings" said he. "Would
you like to see it?''
But she motioned it away.
II can't read, )" said she inditferently.
You can not read!" echoed the amazed
major. why, how I'd are your"
ol2teen, perseverance answered, red
dening.
My sister Kate is only SIXTEEN" said
Major Cheston, speaking without due re-
Election, 'and she reads and writes four
different languages, plays the piano and
guitar. draws and paints, and"
ksEavp said Perseverance, archiup her
slender neck. Can she shoot black duck
and curlews?"
THAT is hardly one of the accomplish
ments prescribed for young ladies'" said
the major, smiling.
Can she swim?"
mo, but
Can she clip blue heron on the wing?
or get in haul of blue fish when the tide
Is strong and the wind due east? or fight a
shark, hand to hand, with only marlin
spike for weapon?"
And once again Major Cheston was COM
PEELED TO answer in the negative
We'll, said Perseverance, complacent-
ly, 81 can!"
And she rose and went out of the room,
and Major Cheston saw no more of her that
night.
She isn't offended, is she?" he asked of
old Zadoc Peck, who was smoking pipe
aud staring hard at the fire all the while.
Offended? Our Perseverance, Offend
ed2' echoed the old man. "You don't know
her, stranger!"
But, really" hazarded Cheston, ''it is
scarcely right to bring up girl like that in
such total Ignorance, now is it?'
We'll, we haven't no schools nor acadia.
mics hereabouts." said the old man. s'And
If we had, Perseverance wouldn't 60 to 'em.
don't see but what she gets along first
rate!"
And Major Cheston wasted no more time
in argument.
He slept well and soundly that night un.
der the sloping roof of the little garret,
through whose shrunk boards the quiet
stars peeped down at him, and at daybreak
he went down upon the shore.
The reeds were all etfaced now-the tide
was coming in with rush and roar,
and an occasional flying shower of spray.
The fresh wind took Off his hat, and whirled
it into the water. He made an invol-
untary plunge after it. lost his footing on
the slippery sands, and the next instant he
was struggling for dear life with the surf,
dragged constantly down, and still further
out to sea by the treacherous undertow. In
a last effort to regain himself he strock
his head against jagged point of stone
and know nothing more.
"You needn't thank me, stranger" said
old Zadoc Peck, as he stood over the rs-
covering patient, with hot towels and BRAN
dy flask. - didn't know thing about it
till she ran up, as white and breathless as
snow1Aurry, to get me to help you in. She
had swum out to sea, and dragged you
back to land herself! She's brave girl is
Perseverance. and there's nothing she can't
do if once she sets herself about it,"
Major Cheston thanked his young res
cuer earnestly; but nothing would induce
her to take the gold he offered her.
ut must be a poor creature that wants
reward for saving mans life," said she,
with short laugh.
And Cheston desisted.
The girl is too pretty" he said to uim-
self. No one but the hero of third -class
romance ever marries half civilized Young