Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-09
TAKEN ON TRUST.
BYiFRANK III. sT.AlFFER.

BYiFRANIi III. STAl FFER.
DSrAan. the scout, stood on the bluffs
Az the rapidly gathering twilight, the
'Sssc'Set River winding sluggishly be-
f1sAth Tim and the spires of Monterey
,ssal2 visible in the distance.
Ae vas tall, straight, sinewy, stern
Esaking- cool yet not stoical-and pos
.sssssesl Of that courage which can never
BE- shaken by surprise nor quelled by
Assssssstt.r
Though dressed trihe Enthusiastically.
SEsexe was royal air about him, as if he
ssas conscious of his ability to acquit
himself we'll under even extraordinary
circumstances.
sFszss then there was look of dis.
sguietaae upon his bronzed face. Tt was
sasrn Of a grave apprehension that he
could ssot dismiss
Star by star the evening crept on the
crest Of the moon came into sight on the
iso1iztc.. the fire-fies hung in countless
numbers upon the shrubbery; an owl
fsocsed III a redwood tree, and the cry of
al s,zitsrn came up from the marshes.
Still tbe scout stood there. his arms
''9elaed, his head bowed, the enwrapt
assak On his face. Just behind him was
sals rude cabin. A low moan came to
his ears from within, and, turning, he
ss1lered the doorway
2hss light from lamp fell upon the
saee Of lad Frustrated with fever. 1t
was his illness that had brought the
-stS,a OF deep concern to the scouts face,
fol q strong bond of fellowship existed
Between them, tested i'll peril and
welded by constant companionship.
One day, while silirting the prairies,
Re found the boy wandering alone.
weary. hungry, foot-sore, and in deep
distress. He had become separated, just
e@iox Santa Barbara, from caravan on
MS way to the gold regions
After listening to his story the scout
placed him behind him and rode back
tx, his cabin. The boy said his name
was Joe. but beyond that his reticence
was SO persistent that the scout felt
called upon to respect it.
. With medicine and food came
strength but he seemed to have no de-
s<lre to 1elcin the caravan; in fact. he
begged TO remain with the scout The
arrangement annoyed the scout at first,
Ea,zi he soon become reconciled to it,
May. more than that; he grew to like
She lad very much, lie was so intelli-
gent. SO sweet-tempered, so graceful, so
loyal He taught him to ride, Row, and
shoot.
On one occasion he saved the scouts
Eife IL. an encounter with the Indians,
aad FROM that time forward he never
questioned either his bravery OF his
devotion. He had bright hazel eyes,
blonde hair, sweet mouth, pleasing
voice, yivacious expression.
MI Dorian, L think am going to
die. !" he said. But I am not afraid"
WHY should you be, my boy?" re-
piled The scout, in a hearty tone. "But
you are not going to die. No-I won't
have that. It would almost break my
heart"
4 soft smile came to the boys lips
sand his eyes grew dewy with unshed
tears. There was a feverish yearning
,ssl them that almost startled the scout.
I've grown fond of you, Joe," he
said, his voice almost Us tender as q wo-
mlan'E. "You are made of good stuff
Yonr companionship has benefited me !;
1T haa restored to me some of the faith
III hi,nan nature of which my heart had
,aseen despoiled."
The sick boy struggled hard to COM
Tgnehend-not that he was dull, or that
the scouts speech was vague one. To
tic precise. he was simply curious to
anow what espe i memory had sug-
gested the latter portion of his remark.
What lessened your faith in man ?"
ne asked. at last.
The scout flung up his head.
-Oh-a woman" he said, with some
shing Of contempt for himself. Il lost
my fortune ard then 1 lost her."
You were married to Aer?" the boy
asked, the expression of his face inten-
styling.
THANK goodness, mol" exclaimed the
scont. "She was sordid, secretive,
selfish. She never really loved me"