The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-10
The corn crake had gone, and there
was naught to be heard save the rust

lattice and lay me down by mother
while. l had been asleep some time,
for the moon was low in the sky and
the dawn breaking when l awoke with
hearing trampling of feet coming
down the lane. 1 listened, and the
tramping came nearer and sounded
heavy-like, as if they were carrying
something. 1t stopped at the gate and
then heard the click O. the latch.
Mothers room was in the back so it
was no use looking out of the lattice.
l was creeping softly down stairs when
mother awoke and asked if father had
come in.
"I think he's coming now mother
l said. 'rll fetch thee a cup O. tea,'
and went down and opened the door,
and there stood one of the keepers,
William Balshaw, as married my cousin
Anne.
"tWhere's father?' 1 said trying to
look past him.
"'See now, Eunice,' he says, thou
nun keep brave heart lass. How is
thy mother?'
"'She's no better. and asking for
father
well. thou nun put her off. I've
i'll news for thee, por lass; thy mother
must know naught of it. There's been
bit of fight with them poachin' chaps,
an'-an' we've browt thy father
home
"My heart seemed turned to stone
is father killed9' I asked. Thou may
as well tell me, William
with that they carried father in
and laid him on the settle. He was
very very peaceful-like to look at.
William said he had been shot in the
chest. and died quite quiet and easy.
But all the while l seemed to know
there was more to hear-aye. and
worse, for, when was STOPPING over
father, one of the men said something
to'William that didn't rightly catch,
and William says back to him, speak
ing low, Nay, there's no call to. say
more to the poor lass; it'll do by-and
bye With that they went away, and
took mother her tea, feeling all dazed
| like.
Where's thy father, Eunice, she
says.
| ..And l answered her:
Hes coming up presently, mother, ;
and then she fell asleep again, being
weak.
$50 the day wore on, and cousin An
ne came, and Squire Lawson and some
other gentlemen; but didn't see them
for William was around again, and told
them all about father. When they
were gone I left Anne sitting with
mother, and went down to William and
asked him how it came about that faith
er was shot.
There were bit o a fight with th'
poachers, lass, and one of them had a
| gun
".Was there only one gun, Will
Lamp l says.
"Only one, lass. l dunnotthink thy
father was shot O. purpose. 1t war all
in the thick O. the bother. We were
tightin' with ash sticks, an thy father
were in the midst, when the chap with
tn gun let fly at us an the shot hit thy
father. That's how it were done, Eun-
ice.'
"'And where is he that did it, l
says, lookin' out O. the window
He's away, lass. In hiding some
where. There's no call for these to
fret about that. Most like he'll get
away to furrin parts. l see thou
guesses who it is, Eunice. It's main
hard for thee, he says, taking my hand,
meaning kindly. for he was good man
was William. But pulled my hand
away and ran out into the fields. 1t
4 twas getting on for sundown then. as I
leant against the fence, feeling sick and
giddy like, the corn crake began croak-
ing in the long grass as it had done
over night. And l thought Of yester-
eve, when Tom stood there with his
gun, and tried to turn him away from
those who led him astray. 1t had all
ended now; father was dead, mother
was dying. and Tom but l would not
think of Tom. Then Anne came out
to me saying mother was asking for
me. So went in. and mother looked
at ms aad said:
Thou art a good lass. think thy
father is dead dreamt it just now
and thou art hiding it. 'Tis no matter;
shall know soon. The Lord bless you,
Eunice!' -
"And after that she went into kind
of faint and died. So father and moth.
er were both buried the same day. and
it was settled that should 60 and live
with my Aunt Deborah, some six miles
away. William was to drive me ovel
that same evening. Well. at sundown,
all the things being packed and moth.
ing left to do, went through the fields
to the side O. the brook, where had
used to meet Tom, and there sat on a
fallen tree thinking of all the trouble
aud how all my life seemed dead and
buried with father and mother Close
by me was thick clump o palm, will
lows, and dog-roses, an grass al
a-tangle, reaching DER the bank; an
when I'd sat thinking awhile heard ,
rustling and voice saying. 'Eunice
lass!' l knew the voice right well
though it gave mo start at the mo
ment.
"'Is it thou. Tom, l asked.