Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-05-01
authority. his reports from time to time
were eagerly received by the crowd.

l. AAo AOpOA" Ulllc w UllIl6
were eagerly received by the crowd.
Out of sheer force of nautical habit the
captain put one arm about the post support
ing the Grand to steady himself, as be
would put his arm around a stay on ship
board. The attitude was not lost on the
"boys," some Of whom put on their stsea
legs" staggered about as If trying to main
tain their footing on deck in a gale Of wind,
and one leaning over an imaginary vessel
side pantomimed a fearful arrangement of
the stomach through the disturbance of the
elements.
"Trim looking craft" said the captain.
SHOULD say by her model and rig she was of
American build"
Come, Cap" said one of the boys, "don't
be greedy, now you've got a good thing.
Let's have a squint."
The captain relinquished the glass with
some show of reluctance.
Jimmy Cook, having adjusted his eye to the
instrument, seemed, judging by his absorb
ton, to intend remaining as he was for the
afternoon.
"Time's up!" cried one.
81 that twenty seconds only be al
lowed per man, per peep" said another.
Second the notion" cried a third. ''Then
| there won't be enough to go around before
she's down here"
Motions moved and seconded" said a self
constituted chairman. GAN in favor, say
saye;' contrary minded mo- The ayes have
1t. The chair rules the next peep for itself. /"
mo you don't" remarked the "Cap," COM
ing forward and capturing his glass. "This
glass Is private property, and not pro bono
pNblico, except as l give the ship news"
The assembly groaned, and one alluded to
Cap as an s'Old Turk"
"She's a lady," said the captain. "Style
quiet and genteel. Broad brim straw hat.
veil. No loud trimmings. Nothing Bowery.
Cabin passenger. Boys, tuck in your
| shirtsw
For convenience and comfort the miner
of that period generally wore his red or
gray shirt as a blouse, emitting the formality
Of slowing its extremity under the trousers
w%aistband.
The captains order was obeyed. Mr..
Rankin made his appearance, having been
employed in buttoning himself into starched
linen. A "boarder" reminded him that he
had forgotten his kids, and another, hastily
cutting a gigantic collar from a sheet of
white paper, arrayed himself therein, re-
marking as he did SO that CHS tailor was al
ways delinquent with his dress suit when 1t
was most wanted" adding refectively:
However, If a mans head was only well
dressed no sensible woman would look any
further"
"Swipes' produced the tin horn used to
the captain if he should ''hail her."
"Oh, you're all a lot of smartys now, aim
youF' said Rankin. '.How do you know who
that lady may bel She may be some Of YOU
fools mother or sister or wife, come to hunt
you to your holes. At all events, whoever
she is, I s'pose wenl all act as near like gentle
men as We know how. Those who can't
better trot off to work"
Mr.. Rankin's sentiments made q speedy
change in the humor of this before reckless
crowd. AS the lady drew nearer the faces of
all present asSumed a more serious EXPIRES.
sion. They were recalled to themselves and
drawn to their old eastern homes by the
sight Of that one female figure long ere she
reached the store.
All present knew that she was an eastern
woman and the city bred boys declared her
. city woman. She sat her horse easily. Her
face was partly concealed by her broad
brimmed straw hat.
To the store, of course, she must come.
Everything coming to Bull Bar must first
come to the store. The road down the hill
ended at the store door. The store was. in
effect, the entrance and exit gate of Bull
Bar. Mr.. Rankin kept the gate. Anyone
visiting Bull Bar on business, or any one
there coming to make inquiry would lie
naturally directed to Rankin. In such con
nection he flguratively kept the keys of the
Bar. He knew where every miner lived
within a radius of three miles. He knew
how they "were doing" He banked their
dust for them in his safe, and in many cases
l their oIOfIoOna or1 social ,o,,% ~ 1t,
breast.
The lady was riding toward a staring, gap,
ing, curious crowd, of which I suddenly re-
called to myself l was one. AS she came
nearer l turned away and went in the store,
not desiring to play the lout. Many Others
Of the "boys" seemed influenced by a similar
feeling, and stole off to work, still, however,
Keeping SO much as possible one eye over
their shoulders. Nor did they walk very fast.
1t was a hard conflict between curiosity and
respect. A few lounged about the store door,
seating themselves OH the bench.
She had stopped in front of the door.
saw only the extremity Of a riding habit and
the tip Of a small foot in the stirrup. 1 heard
then a clear, well-toned voice asking Mr..
Rankin if "anyone knew a Mr.. Jedediah
Pratt in the neighborhood." l heard Blanche
Sefton's voice, and, walking out, saw Blanche
Rankin was giving her directions to Pratt's.
He turned toward me.
"This mar will show you where he lives, >
were his concluding words, as l made my
appearance. "That is, he's generally able to
tell, when he's woke up"
Her eyes met mine. There was no friendly
recognition in them. 1 said: why
Blanche"-she maintained the same look
"Miss Sefton-what! you herem What els
I said I know not-a tumble of unmeanina
words, tumbling over each other, for bel
look made Inc sick at heart.
She turned to Rankin, who, with the
others, had been startled and interested in
this unlocked for recognition. Still more
startled were they as they saw Blanche, bend
ing lovein the saddle, say something to me
in a tone too low for them to hear, but a,
which I recoiled.
Those words We're: mo! not you, JOIN
Holder! Not my uncle's murderer! l do no
wish your a%ssistance!'
Perhaps l can find my way to my uncle's
house alone if some of you gentlemen viii
direct ME" she said aloud to the wondering
group.
sen, ), IT,
sss:t S@ 5azE}eS 49,
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