Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-09-13
CAUGHT In A BLIZZARD.

NAlUnI IN a DLlzxLAhUs
keep up good fire, Jennie. and
don't worry; we shall surely be home
before darkr' and with loving ..good
byen the father and mother drove rap
idly away.
Jennie turned to her unfinished work.
Jack seated upon little stool in the
corner, was busily twisting the long
spears of hay into stout, thick clubs,
intended for fuel. Three-years' -old
Clara sat in her little chair, grooming
q lullaby as she gently rocked to and
fro the cradle where Baby Willie was
soundly sleeping.
Outside was the cold, gray dawn of
a winters morning. Far as the eye
could reach stretched the dead, mono
tonous, white level. Away to the right
q thin, tremulous, blue spire Of smoke
wavered against the sky. Five miles
off as Jennie knew and their nearest
| neighbor lived beneath its shadow.
There were CLAIMS all around them.
Many had been taken the previous year
but the owners. dismayed by the pros
pect of the long. bleak, desolate win
ter before them, had returned to the
older states to wait for the warm spring
time. Mr.. Reynolds and his family,
who had already experienced one of
the wild Dakota winters, were more
courageous and dauntlessly stood their
ground They had collected consider
able quantity of stock around them,
and with their many improvements the
place was assuming home-like air.
The previous winter with its heavy fall
of snow had taught Mr.. Reynolds some
lessons, and before the severe season
| closed in upon them he had erected a
rude building over the well which sup
piled them with water, and connected
both this and the stable with the house
| by covered passages; making it easy to
care for his stock in the fiercest storms.
Business connected with the transfer
of some property required the presence
of the farmer and his wife in the little
country town ten miles away, and
| though loath to leave the children alone
for even a day, their confidence in
Jennie's judgment, and little Jacks
manly thoughtfulness quieted their
fears. Jennie was twelve, Jack three
years her junior; but the life of toll and
hardships to which they had been ac-
customed had made them older than
their years. With grave patience Jack
kept at his self-appointed task till a
huge pile of hay cables rose at his side.
81 wish we lived in country where
trees nd grow" he said, throwing
down the last stick. II do get sick Of
this everlasting twist, twist, twist.
| When buy my farm, Jennie Reynolds.
it won't be in country that's only fit
for wolves and Injuns, anyway"
.'If you only get a farm anywhere,
| shall be satisfied, jack laughed his
sister, land as for the hay, I'm only
thankful that we have enough of that
to burn. 1t won't be many years be-
fore our tree claim will keep us in wood,
and what sport we shall have gather
ing walnuts and butternuts."
s'Wish l had some now," muttered
Jack. 81 say, Jen, amt it most dinner
time? I'm just starvedr'
"You were never known tc be any
thing eise," responded the elder sister,
bit as Clara echoed his complaint, and
the twelve-months-old baby, waking
from sleep, added his voice to the gem
eral cutlery, Jennie put aside her
knitting and began preparations for
dinner.
The wind had risen and now swept
violently around the low-roofed house.
Jennie went to the window and looked
out. The sky had darkened, and fine,
penetrating particles of snow drifted
steadily down from the heavens. She
drew long sigh of foreboding as she
anxiously scanned the gloomy prospect,
but fearing to brighten the younger
children turned again to her work,
forcing herself to sing cheerfully as she
prepared their simple meal.
As they gathered around the table
they were startled by fierce blast
which shook the house to its founda-
ton. Outside nothing was to be seen
but seething, boiling ocean of white
pouring down on the treeless, track
less waste, burying the fences and
wrapping the lonely, desolate house in
shroud of snow. Jack looked his sis
ter bravely in the face, though his lips
quivered. They can never reach home
in this Storm he whispered, ..they
will not try
$50 much the more need of our keep
ing up our courage, Jack" she an
swered, kissing him tenderly. 1--WE
are safe and warm, and will take good
care of the children.
Hour after hour the snow sifted down.
Night fell and there was no cessation.
Soon the little ones were asleep and
safely tucked away in their little bed
Then Jennie lighted the lantern and
made ready to see to the stock. Fortu-
nately she had learned to milk, and
Jack, keeping bravely at her side. tore
down some hay for the horses and cows.
She carried few armfuls to the flock
of sheep comfortably housed in their
tight-built sned beyond, and taking
her pail of foaming milk, returned
through the covered passage, through
whose chinks the fine, powdery snow,
was beginning to find its way. Jack
walked proudly in advance carrying
the lantern and keeping up his own
and his sisters spirits by most I'M
musical attempt to whistle Rally
around the flag, boys" Another day
came and went, and still another, and
yet the storm continued. Jennie and
Jack were heart-sick and weary. They
had carried hay and grain to the hungry
animals with water from the well, and
every spare moment was spent in twist
ing hay for the fire. As their supply di-
minished they replenished their stocks
from the barn and kept the house warm
and comfortable. As the third day
drew to close they gathered around
the blazing fire in the twilight. There
were tears in Jennie's eyes, though she
strove to conceal them, and brave
hearted Jack was pale and sad. Sud-
denly little Clara burst forth with a
wailing cry, II wants my mamma, |
wants my mammal and Jennie, clasp
ing the little one in her arms, mingled
her tears with hers.
But this would never do. In mo-
ment the storm of grief was past and
she was amusing her little sister in
game of romps. Jack, drawn into the
spirit of the occasion, popped corn to
Clara's infinite delight, and the baby
Growing in his downy nest added his
mite to the general confusion.
'.Did you know that tomorrow night
is Christmas eve, Jennie?" asked Jack
little later, as he sat soberly by the
table.
Eyes! and Clara must hang up her
stocking"
But we have nothing TO put in it,
so what's the useP' he inquired in a
disheartened voice.
"Well, we must find or make some
thing to fill it, insisted Jennie. "And
l..f1 Tu0 4