The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-12-04
CHAPTER II
AN ON FPTFND

AN OLD FRIEND.
Family from afar comes the report Of a
gun, echoing and re-echoing through the
valley, and the deep baying of hound,
intermingled with the louder echoes,
awakes the somber silence of that vast and
trackless wilderness. Hardly have the
sounds died away ere they are again taken
up by human voice. In clear, strong tones
it comes like bugle call, "Leahehol
Leahehop
Sweet and musical 1t sounds, the low
and high notes equally distinct. Nearer
and nearer it comes, until at the edge of
the clearing he appears. A tall, strongly
built man, swinging along, his dogs fol-
| lowing close at his heels. A gray, grizzly
mustache covers O firm looking mouth,
and pair of sharp but pleasant eyes peer
forth from under shaggy brows. Dressed
in q light gray suit and heavy leathern
boots, he looks every inch man, intelli-
| gent, strong, and graceful. With gun slung
over one shoulder, and huge fox dangling
down from the other, he comes whistling
| along.
Hello Claude, little one," he cries, as
| his daughter runs TO meet him. "Just look
at that" holding the fox up. MY dogs
and | have chased him half day, and
only succeeded in bagging him a few
minutes ago, just beyond the clearing.
| What do YOU say? Visitors? The dickensi
| 4 II right, I'll see them in moment. Here,
| DOM Here, SPORT and wnistling to his
dogs, he disappears behind the house.
Father has just arrived" Miss Ray
mond says, moment later, 10 our friends,
''and will see you presently. He has been
| off on one of ms regular tramps 1t is the
height of bliss for him to race over the
hills with his dogs"
you have a delightful little place here,
Miss Raymond, remarks Tom. 1T is
refreshing to see home like this, after
canning in the woods as We have for the
last four days"
yes, we find it very pleasant here,
though at times a trihe lonesome. All,
| here he is" she exclaimed, as a step is
| heard near the door. Father, let me in
troduce you to Mr.. Hargrave and Mr.. War
ner, of Pittsburg. They have been hunting
in the woods for a few days past, and this
evening lost their way and discovered our
little cottage"
Glad to meet you, gentlemen" as they
rise and shake hands. "Got lost, Ell? Well,
that's not to be wondered at in this wilder
ness" he remarks, with genial, welcom-
| ing smile. "Hargrave, did you say? And
of Pittsburg? l was at one time well ac-
quainted with people of that name, who
| y
cannot be the son of Richard Hargrave?"
That is my fathers name" responds
Dick. us it possible you are acquainted
with him."
ain my younger days." replies the other,
| thoughtfully, "he was my dearest friend.
And his son is thrice welcome"
And his sons friend also, do you not
mean, father"
Yes, yes. Certainly. The latch string
of hunters cabin will always be found on
the outside. But come, We must go inside;
it's getting dusk, and Ctloe's temper is not
the best when supper is kept waiting"
And, as they rise and enter, Dick and
Tom cannot conceal their admiration, for
within everything is arranged for comfort
and happiness. 1t Is as If in that brief
space of time they had crossed the thresh-
old which divided the wilderness from civ
ilization, barbarity from refinement. A
neat and pretty little room IS this they have
stepped into. Indeed they had almost ex-
pected to see bare floors and bare walls, but
here We're carpets, pictures, books, an easel
with a half finished picture of a pretty lit
tie lake heavily bordered with trees, a
guitar, and punches Of sweet smelling ar
butus filled the air with their delightful
perfume. And here were evidences of a
hunters skill. The antlers of deer, nailed
to the wall above the door; curious birds,
stuffed, and standing in different positions,
some as if ready for flight, others regarding
some unseen object.
All these the two young men observed
with surprise as they entered.
and SO you are the son of Richard
Hargrave," began Mr.. Raymond, regard
ing Dick intently. "Yes, now | see the re-
semblance; it is, indeed, striking. You
have the same features-the same honest
blue eyes. 1t has been long time since
last saw your father, Mr.. Hargrave. Il
was before the war, and we We're clerkine
IN the same Office in New York City when
the war broke out. L enlisted at once
Richard had widowed mother depending
on him, so he stayed at home, though
know he longed to join us. That was the
last [ saw of him, though 1 have heard that
he has been very successful business
man.
Perhaps Mr.. Warner would like to re-
move some of the evidences Of his unfor-
tunate trouble, father" interposed Miss
Raymond.
Thank you, said Tom. 81 would, in
deed"
"Ah! l beg pardon. Come into my room
Mr.. Warner"
He conducted Tom into an adjoining
room, from which he emerged few min
utes later, looking much better.
And now, gentlemen, We will adjourn
to the supper table" Raymond observes
in obedience to a sign from his daughter
And they are led on through into an
other pleasant little room, where new sur
prlses await them-surprises which seem
to please Tom immensely, for his coun-
tenance lights up at once. A modest but
well-appointed little dining room; table
I 90 ,r.1 81 L.
with everything to tempt a modern cpl
cure. And as they are seated around that
dainty, Widespread table, Dick thinks he
never had the pleasure of sitting down to
such charming evening meal. He almost
forgets his hunger as he Chances at the
pretty hostess, gracefully turning the tea
into the cups. Toms hunger is genuine.
however, and is not satisfied by glance
from a pair of bright black eyes, and he
unblushingly accepts the second helping:
and as the meal progresses they all grow
merry over the recital of Toms misfor-
tunes. Good naturedly he takes it, and
adds his laughter with the rest. Standing
at respectful distance, ever ready to at
tend their wants, is the colored woman
Chloe, her black face shining and her arms
akimbo, and when the others laugh o'er
something said, her heavy lips are parted,
and the large white teeth stand ont in
strong contrast with the color of her skin.
Indeed, It's a merry party that surrounds
this evening table. Formalities are not
thought Of Mr.. Raymond is an impulsive,
genial man, and ere the meal is concluded
he has decided that while the young men
remain in the woods they shall remain as
his guests, and later, when they retire TO
the little parlor, extends generous invita-
ton to remain with him, and adds
We have a lovely lake near at hand, we'll
| filed with FISH, good boats to row, and
plenty of game around us. And We VIII try
and make IT pleasant for you while you stay. II
Il should only be too delighted, Mr..
Raymond, 10 hnger about this pleasant
place, but fear We might inconvenience
you" And here Dick glances toward
| Claudio.
Not in the least she responds I'VE
are prepared at any time to entertain two
! or three friends, small as our house APP
pears. And we shall be pleased to have
you and your friends stay"
Then" says Tom, who is afraid lest this
golden opportunity may in some way be lost,
we will accept your kind invitation with