Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-05-22

and by a desperate effort had cast her
safe and'sound back upon the sand as
the crumbling earth gave way, and
precipitated him down to the sands far
below.
As quickly as l could I made my way
back to the house, with the child in my
arms. The door was wide open as I
had left it, and all was silent.
Laying leila on a sofa l called my
mother, and on her appearance, gave
her a hurried account of what had
passed.
reused our darkey boy Yep out of
bed and sent him to call several of the
to the house.
The boy appeared in a short time
with five of III negroes, all about
half asleep, and all wondering at their
abrupt awakening.
Briefly I explained what had hap
pened, and having secured lanterns
we together set out to learn the worst
in regard to Gabe.
was sure now it was Gabe for
Yep had found his cabin door wide
open, and Aunt Dinah seemed asleep
alone.
Down below the entrance to our
carriage way some 200 yards, the
bluff declined in a gentle slope to the
waters edge.
To this point we quickly hurried, and
were soon on the white, sandy
beach, high up which the waves were
rolling from the force of the now spent
storm.
A minutes time and we had reached
a spot directly under the break in the
ledge above. At first I could see moth
ing, but a low groan drew me to sort
of recess washed in the face of the
bluff. 3
In this lay Gabe, moaning in pain,
with face and neck bathed in blood.
As / bent owe him with the lanterns
light, he looked at me and endeavored
to speak, but the effort only caused
fresh blood to gush from his nostrils
and mouth.
Tenderly we took him up between us
up the bluffs side with the light of the
stars shining on earth, for the storm
had passed, as quickly as tropical
storms do, and was muttering off in
battered masses toward the India
Islands. Along the roadway up the
garden drive, V g the piazza into the
room we bore him, placing him gently
on a couch that had been hastily pre-
pared.
1 dispatched one of the hands in all
haste for DR.. Reynolds, our family
physician, but as his. residence was
some two miles distant twas nearly an
hour before he arrived.
In the meantime we made the poor
sufferer as easy as possible, washing
away the stains of blood from his face
and neck, and cooling his throbbing
temples with dampened cloths.
gave him a strong dose of brandy,
which had the effect of reviving him
sufficiently to speak. though but little,
as the hemorrhage was very great.
How much he was hurt L could not
tell, thought knew the arm was broken
and some serious internal injury sus-
tanned.
When Dr.. Reynolds arrived he made
a careful investigation, then called me
aside and said: 'The matter is serious
beyond hope. His time. to live is but
a few hours atthe most. The only thing
we can do is to keep him as quiet as
possible-even now he is rapidly sink
ing"
After the doctor had departed I re-
turned beside him and asked: '.Do you
feel easier, Gabep" He smiled. as he
family replied: Eyes, much easier,
thank you. But hit will soon be ovah;
dere amt no use tellin' me to cheah
up: I knows rs agoin'-goin' fast.
Hits baud to go-but the Lawd's will
be done"
He turned to leila, who was seated
beside him, and, stroking her hair with
his great horny hand, now feeble and
weak as a child's, he said: '.I's so glad
you's safe, honey-so glad; what's my
old life to you's-so young and faih. I
was neahlytoo late, but thank ou' Lawd
l sabed you. Hit makes me so happy,
and when you's one OF de bright an
gels way up dere beyond de gates,
you'll not fo'get old Gabe, will you,
honey?"
For answer the golden head bowed
over the rugged features, the golden
curls fell among the kinky gray, the
fresh young lips red with the blood of
life, trembled on the pain-drawn fore
head, while tears fell fast from her
eyes and glistcned like pearls among
the hood-stains on the couch.
There was a glad smile on the old
mans face as the child arose., and all
the love OF a full warm heart shone in
his eyes as he looked upon her.
The hours sped on until the morning
sun rose over the broad waters of the
gulf, and shone in crimson and gold
through the latticed creepers.
Gabe was very quiet, his eyes fixed
on the ceiling, his hand resting on
"Aunt Dinah's."
AS the day broadened he became Wis
ably weaker, his breath coming at
longer intervals, with labored intona-
ton; his mind, too, began to wander,
his voice at times rising in incoherent
murmurs.
/ gave him another dose of brandy,
and again he revived, though the effort
was the last OF expiring nature.
He looked at us in a dazcd and won
dering way for a few moments, and
seeing "Aunt Dinah" crying bitterly,
said: ''Don't cry, hon'-don't cry.
Hits only TO a little while longer; a
few noah days, or maybe a few noah
yeahs, but We'll meet again; yes, meet
in dat Ian wha' dcre's no noah pain,
onI trouble novah comes and wo,ll no