Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-04-04
ON A GATE POST.
CHAPTER I.

is q valuable manuscript. He thinks so,
doubtless. because it records q part of
his life. One night recently, while l
was at his house, he brought out the
manuscript and read it to me. AL
though l did not ask permission, yet l
do not feel that I violate his confidence
by giving, as nearly us l Il remember,
the contents of the paper which he
treasured with such affection:
The prospect was not cheerful. I
was riding a horse across a country
whose loneliness was as deep as a sigh
which bespeaks the long absence of
some one. Night vas coming on and
q storm was gathering its forces. A
frightened owl fitted past ME, scream
ing in my face. The time of year was
when nature hesitates whether to con-
tinue winter or begin spring. My
horse almost shook me off when he
stopped and shivered. The owl scream
ed in my face again. Dead leaves, for
a moment would whirl before me, and
then fall, scattered and torn as though
they had, by an angry hand. been
swept from their long: damp rest. only
to be Knocked. What a dreary,
dreary place it isl" I unused. II feel
as though something terrible is going
to happen. The air, just before the
great agitation which must come,
seems quivering in its desire to bear
tho sound of murder, murder! AS I
live, yonder is light. 1t is possible
that l shall receive shelter?'
Urging my horse forward, l soon
reached q small house, near the sum-
NIT of a desolate peak, overlooking tho
Arkansnw river. I d~ismountcd near
the %door-there was no fence around
the house. My horse looked appeal
ingly ut me and without asking per-
mission from any one within, / led the
animal to a stable close at hand and
took off saddle and bride. As l was
returning, the storm burst upon the
river. When I approached the door, I
heard u wall. l knocked and l heard
the wall coming slowly toward me.
The door was opened by Il girl scarcely
more than twelve years old. Her face
was the picture of despair. She sac
nothing. but pointed to a bed. upon
which lay an old man, gasping for
breath. Approaching him, l saw that
he had but a few minutes to live. The
girl knelt beside the old man. He
lIACu " puG III AhljA u:ISI w "a
Failing, he looked at me :.ud | assisted
him. He tried to speak, but could
not The girl sobbed frantically. The
rain poured down and the storm shook
the house.
HE will never get well!' she cried.
my grandpa will die"
Yes, her grandpa would die. His life
had already passed away. The hand
lying on her head was growing cold.
She looked Mt him and shricked.
What a night we spent in that house.
The storm howled and the rain fell un-
til nearly daylight. The girl, who I
saw was intelligent, with an impressive
face, said that her name was Munette
Loggemon, and that since her earliest
recollection she had lived with the old
,uan who had spent the most Of his
time, since she had begun to talk. in
teaching her.
II have no relatives she said in an
swer to a question.
"Any friends?'
mo friends.'
"You have neighborse'
'None. The nearest house is nearly
eight miles away
I knew not what to do. Surely the
situation was serious. Early at morn
ing. We buried the old man in the yard.
As best I could, l made a coffin of a
trough which l found in the stable.
After the burial, l went out and found
enough corn for my horse. left Mu.
nctte at the grave. on which she had
sobbing bitterly; thrown herself.
where are you going. little grip
asked when ] returned, still finding
her on the grave.
How a l 60 anywhere?0 she
asked: Il have no friends. I told
YOU"
"You cannot remain here
Il cannot 60 away
Il will not leave you here. You mus
60 with me. My mother has no little
girl. She will receive YOU
Still lying on the grave, and without
looking up, she replied:
II will 60 and work for my board"
you will not have to work. Wher
l tell my mother of the circumstance
under which l found you, she will TAX
lou in her arms. Come, get you:
clothes. 1t is time we were ~leavin;
here. See, the sun is shining beauti
fully. It is a new day for you"
Without replying, she arose ant
turned toward me. Her face, evel
aside from her grief, was so sad, an
her eyes wore a look of such tender ap
peal that ever though she had relative
/ would nave thought 1t my duty t.
take her home with me. She went int
the house and soon returned with
small bundle.
Il haven't much to take" she said
"Grandpa and l were very poor. an
you see, having inherited his poverty
am poorer than ever"
was not surprised to hear her max
such a remark, for l had discovere
rem and was consequently wise of he
age ,,,
after a WHILE" I replied.
pretty red ones?'
the child was asserting itself.
Yes, and blue ones"
She wept anew as we mounted th
horse-she seated behind me. As Ion
as we were within sight of the hou<
she said nothing, but when we had d.
scended into the thick woods, ST
said:
Il won't cry any more, if I can he]
it,"
Your grandfather must have bee
good to your"
Eyes, but he made me read mal
books that were very dull-great L.
books. 1 don't like them. His ey'
for many years have been SO bad that
had to do all his reading for him.