St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-03-10

Douglas County, Dakota, the country
was new and thinly settled. Father
and my three brothers took up a Sec
ton, and built their four houses on adj
joining corners. So, as two brothers
were married, we formed little set
Element by ourselves. This was well,
as our nearest 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 very destructive cy-
clone visited that part of the country.
Lying as it does between the Missouri
and Jamas rivers, it was feared such
visitations might be frequent SO father
and the boys dug cave midway be-
tween the houses Twice we sought
refuge there and heard the demon of
destruction at work among the fruits
of our industry. We escaped without
injury, but father, who was returning
from the town, twenty miles away,
where we got our mail and supplies.
was badly bruised by the overturning
of his wagon. As soon as he recovered
he and the boys dug cave about mid
way on the route to town. The loca-
ton 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 a
party of visitors from the East came.
Among them was Frank Healy. We
had been great friends in she past, and
became something more during that
long summer. We agreed to be mar
ried in the spring, and he would stay
until that time; but early in January
he received summons home to Chi
cago, and insisted that go along.
So preparation was made for our
marriage. We sent to Bunker for
minister, but our messenger brought
word he could not get away. "Could
we not come to him." We must start
TO Chicago at once, 50 decided to adopt
that plan. Upon the 9th, after tear
full good-by to all but father, mother
and Joe. who would accompany us, we
started for Bunker.
There was great quantity of snow
on the ground, and only one sleigh
that of our messenger the day before
had gone over the road. As conse-
quence, our progress was slow and la
borious 1t was dull, cloudy day, but
we knew nothing of billiards then. so
did not hesitate to start. We had men
toned one 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. feathery
fiaikes. love 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 home and friends to
go among strangers, with only hus-
bands love to depend upon.
For some time the snow fell slowly |
and heavily, then the wind rose, and
the cold began to increase Joe sug-
gested a return, and limited at possible
danger. Father hesitated, but Frank
thought there was no more danger in
an advance than a retreat, so on we |
went Heavensi what an experience
that was which followed.
The wind howled like a host Of de-
mons, bent on our destruction. The
snow became enthusiastically fine, and,
driven by the blast. stung ones flesh,
when exposed. like needle-points. We
could not see to 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 vail. All my high
spirits vanished, and instead Of the
happy future I had been anticipating |
now saw nothing but cruel death be-
fore US, with the snow for shroud and
pail.
AT two BY Franks watch we were
nearly frozen, and the weary horses
could scarcely move along. Suddenly
Joe put out his hand and clutched at