Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-27

ye, q little gal, done what several men
teachers hev failed ter do, ter vanqulsh
Their holy terror o Wolf Puraire.
One evening as Valley was walking
home Bill overlook her on his spirited
pony. He was leading beautiful
black pony on whose back was q pretty
new side-saddle.
"N1iss Valley" he addressed her, Il
am not up to making presentation
speeches such as they do in the East,
but you have expressed wish to own
gentle pony; so please accept this as
gift to you.
cit would not look we'll for me to &C
cept SO costly a present." she replied
looking admirably at the black pony
with it's proudly arched neck.
But Bill did not agree. He insisted
that the pony had boen "trigged up"
for her with the approval of his par
ents, and having so many ponies on
their ranch they would never miss it.
So Valley accepted Bills gift with sim
cerely grateful words.
Valley was exceedingly fond Of her
new present, and it soon learned to
know and love its kind mistress.
One Saturday afternoon she deter
mined to ride beyond the limits OF
Wolf Prairie and explore the country
far west of her prairie home.
1t was now spring and the buds were
bursting into beauty on every side.
Valley, lost in her admiration Of
scene so enchanting, took no heed of
the distance she had COME, until her
pony paused by the side of lovely
wooded stream to drink. Looking over
her shoulder she was trifie frightened
to think how far she had leedlessly
ridden beyond the range of any human
habitation.
Before she had time to turn her
ponys head homeward, brawny,
painted Indian sprang suddenly from
the wayside bushes and grasped the
rein of her bride.
"Ugh!" he uttered, leering into her
scared face fiendishly. jumping Fox
make heap good take dis time. Good
pony, pretty white squaw Jumping
Fox take both to his lodge"
The poor girl was too thoroughly
frightened, as her probable fate flashed
across her brain, to cry out for helr.
Indeed her fright had deprived her of
tho power to stir muscle. She
seemed frozen in the saddle
The Indian, with another triumphant
CLEAN in his evil eyes, turned Valleys
pony into bypath and was fast lead
ing horse and fright. benumbed girl
deepr within the tangled woodland.
just as the Indian reached crook
in the path, they came face to face with
Bill Warren on his pony.
Bill had been out hunting for wild
turkey and Providence had led him
thither With his keen wits Bill COM
pretended the situation at once. With
yell of horror the young fellow raised
his rife and fired directly ut the Indian.
But before Bill had pulled the trigger
the willy Jumping Fox had jumped
aside, and the bullet which was meant
to pierce his heart buried itself into
the trunk Of tree beyond where he
had stood
Bill let him go skulking off without
further molestation, while he fastened
to Valleys side and received her into
his strong arms just as she tainted.
Water from the stream near by
quickly restored Valley, and they rode
toward home. She was too grateful to
Bill for his timely rescue to speak
much of it, besides the brave fellow
would not listen to thanks
After that there seemed to be less
constraint between them. Perhaps
each understood the others heart
better. Anyway their relations were
OF the most friendly nature, and Valley
never rode across the prairies again,
unless Bill attended her.
After school hld closed its Success
ful winter and spring terms, with
Valley as teacher, Bill sought her at
home and manfully laid his heart be-
fore her. GAIL ] am I owe. to you.
Won't you help me to continue my
struggle to improve?" he pleaded.
"How can any flip of girl from
back East help you, Mr.. Warner?" she
!! asked, rosuishly.
"Forgive those unkind words and be-
mine" he insisted
Il will, my diamond in the no 1gh.
do love you, and will help you in your
noble efforts to improve"
And Valley was true to her word.
! IT WOULD i'LHI,E me OLD ALAN.
The wealthy and penurious old gen.
tleman was going East. He had a
nephew who was tritle rapid and was
not overburdened with money. The
| nephew was elated,, for he felt sure
that the old man would give him some
thing handsome before he left. 1t was