Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-01-14

PART If.--CONrtNuE1
thought knew the way well enough.
I In fact. had always prided my self upon
, remembering any road once driven over
by mci hut does any one who hss not
tried Il really know how a heavy fall OF
\ snow changes the aspect OF the country.
b aud makes landmarks snares and deln-
|. fions? learnt all about il then, once
= and for all. i found. also. the now lay
h much deeper than thought cOr.!i posi-
4 by be IN so short n time. and ID still fell
, IN a manner almost binding Yet
Il went ON brayely and merrily for some
miles. Then came bit Of uncertain
ty-
Which OF those two roads was the
4 right one? This one, Of course-no,
tho other. There was no house near:
no one was likely to be passing in such
7 weather, so 1 was left TO exc, else my
!, free. unbiased choice-a privilege /
would willingly have dispensed with.
However. l made tho best selection
could, and followed IL for some two
mi 'es. Then l began to grow doubtful.
and soon pcrsuading myself that | was
on the wrong track, retraced my steps.
! ! was by this time something like
huge VIII te plaster ofParis figure, and
the snow which had accumulated on the
Old dog-cart made II heavier by half a
ton. more or less. by the .imc l came
i TO that nnlucky juncturc of roads at
which my m'sfortunes began. il was al
mot dark; the sky rs black rs tar
Z lnmin. yet sending down the white
feathcry ilakcs thicker AMI faster than
ever. felt inclined to curse nv folly
! in attempting such drive. at an, .te
blamed myself for not having started
Two or three hours earlier. I'll warrant
that stcady-go'ng old Brand never had
10 accuse himself of such foolishness as
mine.
Well, / took the other road: went on
r-Fone way; came to a turning VIII ch
seemed 10 remember. and, not without
misgivings, followed il. My misgiv-
ines Increased when. alter n little
: while, ! iound the road grew fult Of
. ruis, which the snow and the darkness
quite concealed from me until the
Z wheels got into them Evidently ] was
; wrong again. j was just thinking OF
making the best of my way out OF this
rough and unf.e iuented road, when
there, don't know how it happened.
such things seldom occur 90 me-a
n siumble, a fall on the part Of my tired
\ horse sent me flying over the DASH
board. with the only consoling thought
that the relns were still in my hand.
Luckily. tie snow had made the fall. |
Ing pretty soft. soon picked myself /
Up and set about estimating dafnages. 4
Win somerdiihcnlty got the horse out /
Of t3e-lfarncss aud then felt free 10
Inspect the dog-cart Alesl after the /
manner Of the two-whesled kind when |
ever horse thinks fit TO fall. one shaft /
bad snapped OF Ike a carrot; so here /
was |. i've miles apparently from any |
where. in the thick of "A binding snow |
storm. left standing helpless bes de a
jadcd horse and broken cart |
should like TO know what Brand would /
have done under the circumstances.
As for me. | reelected for some min |
uies reflection in snOw-stOrm Is /
weary work. reasoned, believe, I
logically. and at last came TO this de- |
osiOn: would follow the rod II as |
] suspected, il was but cart track. II |
would probably soon lead 10 habita- /
ton Of some kind. Anyway, / had |
better try bit farther. / took hold |
Of the wearied horse. and. with snow |
under my feet, snow-ilakes whirling 4
round me. and n wind blowing right |
into my teeth. struggled on.
II was a journey | think ] must /
have been three-quarters Of an hour /
going about d quarter Of a mile. was
just beginning 10 despair. when / saw
a Welcome CLEAN of light 1 stoered
toward IT,, fondly hoping that my
troubles were at an end. / found the
light stole through the ill-ftting win
dow shutters Of what seemed. 50 far rs
could make ont in the darkness, 70 be
z small farmhouse. Tying TO n gate
ihe knottou rcins by witch / had been
leading the horse. staggered up to the
door aud knocked loudly Upon my
honor. until 1 leant against that door
post had no idea how tired / was
Until that moment ! never suspected
hai the finding Of speedy shelter
Mount absolutely saving my life. Cow
Hed from head 10 foot with snow, my
M crushed in, I must have been
liiable object
No answer came 10 my summons. II
NJ, only after a second and more Inn
pcraiiye application Of my heel that
~ door deigned 90 give way q few
thchos Through the aperture a
'foman's voice asked who was there.
''Lct mo in. said. Il have injsen'
ny way 20 Mldcombe. My bond rs
fallen. You must give me sho for
ihenlght Open lie door, and le' mo
yshelterl You can't get sheltered
lere, Mister" said a man gruif voice. G
ilhls amt an inn, so you'd best be Oh, 9
lnd 20 clsewhcre." |
''iiu; | must come Ia, | said, as ;
lenndsa AZ such inhospiiallyi / can't !
~ . step farher Open the door at 2
furof' b
"lou be curse :. faid the man. n
II 'iis nav house. not yours a.
3 'lut fon fool. l mean 10 pay you 4
FNll fcr Your trouble. Don't fon know ~
Y Dcans u aih naqdofIun about Oh ~