The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-07-28
That boy win Do % depend on;
A DAKOTA ROMANCE.

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When father took up his claim in
Douglas county, Dakota, tho country
was new and thinly settled. Father
and my three brothers took up section,
and built their four houses on adjoining
corners. So, as two brothers were mar
ried, we formed little settlement by
ourselves. This was well, as our near
est neighbor lived eleven miles away,
was then a merry, romping lass of
fifteen, all the wilder for being just from
city life,
The first year a very destructive cy-
clone visited that part OF the country.
Lying us it does between the Missouri
and James rivers, it was feared such visi-
tations might be frequent, so father and
the boys dug cave midway between the
houses. Twice We sought refuge there
and heard the demon OF destruction ut
work among the fruits OF our industry.
We escaped without injury, but father,
who was returning from the town, TWEEN
ty miles away, where he got our mail
and supplies, was badly bruised by the
overturning OF his wagon. A soon as he
recovered he and the boys dug cave
about midway on the route to town. The
location was marked by four tall upright
posts, which could be seen for long
distance.
Years passed with no occasion for its
use, but father was always dreading such
time, and kept it in repair.
Four happy years passed, then party
of visitors from the East came. Among
them was Frank Healy. We had been
great friends in the past, and became
something more during that long sum
mer. We agreed to be married in the
spring, and he would stay until that
time; but early in January he received
summons home to Chicago, and insist
cd that 60 along,
So preparation was made for our mar
/ riage. We sent to Bunker for minis
ter but our messenger brought word he
could not get away. Gould we not come
to him." We must start to Chicago at
once, so we decided to adopt that plan.
Upon the 18th, after fearful good.by to
ali but father and mother and Joe, who
would accompany us, We started for Bun
ker.
There was great quantity OF snow on
the ground, and only one sleigh-that oil
our messenger the day beforehand gone
over the road. AS u consequence, our
progress WIS slow and laboriOus. 1t was
dull, cloudy day, but we knew nothing
of billiards. then, SO did not hesitate to
start. We had mentioned O'Clock as
the time for the ceremony, SO made a
calculation on being at the parsonage at
that time.
Before we were two miles on our way
snow began to fall in great, teathery
flakes. | love q snow-storm, and was
delighted TO be out in one. Seeing
father and mother grave and troubled. |
laughed and tested, and indeed was in
an unusually merry mood for one who
was leaving homeand friendstogo among
strangers, with only husbands love to
depend upon.
For some time the snow fell slowly
and heavily, then the wind rose, and the
cold began 10 increase. Joe suggested
return, and limited at possible danger.
Father hesitated, but Fran thought
there was no more danger in advance
than Il retreat, so we went. Heavens!
what an experience that was which fol-
lowed.
The wind howled like host OF de-
mons, bent on our destruction. The
snow became intinitesimally fine, and,
driven to the blast, stung ones flesh,
when exposed, like needle-p0ints. We
could not see the horses heads, and as
the one track was long since covered up,
We no longer knew which way we were
going, and could only trust to the
| horses.
Mother became alarmed and cried
quietly behind her veil. All my high
spirits vanished, and instead OF the hap
nv future had been anticipating | saw
nothing but cruel death before US, with
the snow for shroud and pail.
At . by Franks watch we were near,
ly frozen, and the weary horses could
scarcely move along. Suddenly Joe
put out his hand and clutched at some
object close to the side OF the sleigh.
"Hurrahi" his CHEEKY voice rang out
"Whoa."
The tired horses stopped instantly,
only too glad OF the chance. Joe sprang
out into the yielding snow. In mo-
ment he shouted again.
"Helloo! Here's another sleigh.
Father Frank! Pile out here with
your shovelsw
They did as he ordered, and mother
and | reused to see what it all meant.
But we could see nothing, and only
family hear their voices above the rush
ing wind.
we soon found out, however, for
father and Frank soon returned and lift.
ed mother and l out Of the sleigh and
carried us-where? Into father'scyclone
cave.
We stared about in stupid amazement,
for Joe had brought lantern along, and
he had lighted and hung 1t up. A mo-
ment later We were joined by the minis
ter from Bunker, who, finding it posi-
bic to get away, had started.
The men blanketed the poor horses,
huddled them close together at the
mouth Of the cave, turned the sleigh box
up before them Rs a partial shelter, then,
bringing my trunk, lunch-basket and
the robes, joined us,
The temperature OF the cave was com
Portable, compared with the upper air
and we were truly thankful for the
change. Vigorous and continued exer'
ton soon restored our benumbed limbs
to their normal condition, and we set
: tied down TO a quiet discussion OF tho
situation, and the probabilities in oUl
] knT,nr
After a time the talk languished, ant
Frank made, in whisper, the queeres
I proposition. gave a decided negative
but at last yielded to his entreaty; ant
! almost before the rest realized what wa
4 going on, we stood before the minister
I With elssped hands, and he was speaking