Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-01-28

Of gold; Of the great churches, wise univer-
sites, brave armies and untold money lying
stored in vaults; & the high flying vice that
moved In the sunshine and the stealth and
swiftness of midnight murder. 1 have said
he was sick as if for home: the figure halts.
He was like some one lying in twilit, form
less pre-existence, and stretching out his
hands lovingly toward many colored, many
sounding life. It was no wonder he was un-
happy, he would 60 and tell the fsh: they
were made for their life, wished for no more
than worms and running water and q hole
below q falling bank; but he was differently
designed, full Of desires and aspirations, itch.
ing at the fingers, lustins with the eyes,
whom the whole Variegated world could not
sattsfy with aspects. The true life, tho true
bright sunshine, lay far out upon the plain,
AndOt to sec this sunlight once before he
died! to move with o jocund spirit in a
golden landi to hear tho trained singers and
sweet church bells and $50 the holiday gar
densl 'And O fshl" he would cry, "if you
would only turn your noees down stream,
you could swim SO easily into tho tabled
waters and see tho vast ships passing over
your head like clouds, and hear the great
water hills making music over you all day
long," But the fish kept looking patiently in
their own direction, until VIII hardly knew
whether to laugh or cry.
Hitherto the traffic on the road had passed
by Will, like something seen in a picture; he
had perhaps exchanged salutations with q
tourist, or caught sight Of an old gentleman
In q travelling cap at carriage window; but
for the most part it had been a mere symbol,
which he contemplated from apart and with
something Of q superstitious feeling. A time
came at last when this was to be changed.
The miller, who was a greedy man in his
way, and never forewent al opportunity Of
horest profit, turned the mill house into q
little wayside inn, and, several pieces of good
fortune falling in OPPORTUNITY, built stables
and got the position Of postmaster on tho
road. It now became Willis duty to wait
upon people, as they sat to break their fasts
in the little arbor at the top Of the mill gar-
den; and you may be suro that ho kept his ears
open, and learned many new things about the
outside world as he brought tho omelet or the
wine. Nay, he would often got into con.
Versation with single guests, aud by
adroit questions md polite attention, not
only crafty his own curiosity, but win
the goodwill of the travellers. Many compli-
mented the old couple on their serving boy,
and q professor was eager to take him away
with him and have him properly educated in
the plain. Tn miller and his wife wero
nightly astonished aud c7en more pleased.
They thought it q very good thing that they
should ave opened their inn. "You see,"
the old man would remark, 'he has q Kind Of
talent for a publican; he never would have
made anything else" And 80 life wa9ged on
in the valley, with high satisfaction to all
concerned but Will. Every carriage that left
the inn door seemed to take q part Of him
away with it, and when people testingly
offered him q lift be could with difficulty
command his emotion. Night after night be
would dream that be was awakened by
fustered servants, and that q splsndid equi-
page waited at tho doorto carry him down
into tho plain; night a1ter. night; until the
dream, which had sesnsdaR jouity to him
at first, began to take on ooloe Of gravity,
and the nocturnal summons and waiting
equipage occupied q place In his mind as
something to be both feared and hoped for.
One day, when Will was about 10, Q fat
young man arrived at sunset to pass the
night. he was Q contented4 looking fellow,
with q jolly eye, and carried q knapsack.
While dinner was preparing he sat in the ar
Dor to read q book; but as soon a. he had be-
gun to observe Will the book was laid aside;
be was plainly one of those who prefer liv-
ing people to people made of ink and paper.
VIII, on his part, although he had not been
much interested in the stranger at first sight,
soon began to take a great deal Of pleasure in
his talk, which was full OF good nature and
good sense, and at last conceived q great re-
spect for his character and wisdom. They
sat Tar into tho night, and about 2 in the
morning Will opened his heart to the young
man n told him how he longed to leave
the valley, and what bright hopes be had
connected with the cities Of the plain. The
young IMAM whistled and then broke into .
smile.
my young FRIEND" he remarked, s'you
are a very curious little fellow to be sure,
and wish q great many thisgswhich sou will
never get Why, you would feel quite
ashamad Il you knew how TIA little fellows
in these fairy cites Of yours are al after tho
same sort Of nonsense and keep breaking
their hearts to. got up into the mountains.
And let me tell you, those who go down into
the plains are a very short while there before
they wish Themselves heartily back again.
The air Is not so light nor SO pure, nor Is the
sun any brighter. As for the beautiful men
and women, you would see many Of them in
rags and many of them deformed with hor-
rible disorders; and a city is 50 hard a place
for people who are poor and sensitive that
many choose to die by their own hand.n
"You must think mo very SIMPLE" an
swered Will "Although I have never been
out of this valley, believe me, I have used
my eyes. know how one thing lives on an.
other; for instance, how the fish hangs in the
eddy to catch his fellows; and the shepherd,
who makes so pretty picture carrying home
the lamb, Is only carrying 1t home for din
ner. d not expect to find all things right
in your cities. That is not what troubles me.
It might have been that once upon a time;
but although live here always, I have asked
many questions and learned a great deal in
these last years, and certainly enough to cure
me OF my old fancies. But you would not
have me die like a dog and not see all that is
to DO seen, and do all that a man can do, LEI
spend all my days between this road here and
to be up and live my lifel-I would rather die
out Of hand" he cried, ''than inger on as I
am doing"
Thousands Of people, said tho young man,
live and die like you aud are none the less
happy"
"Ah!" said Will, 'if there are thousands
who would Like, why should not one Of them
have my placer
1t was quite dark; thera was a hanging
lamp in the arbcr which lit up the table and
the faces Of the speakers, and along the arch
the leaves upon the trellis stood out ilumi-
mated against tho night sky, . pattern Of
transparent green upon q dusky purple. The
fat young man rusea and taking VIII by tho
arm led him out under The open hssvsns.
D yon ever look at the starsf' be asked,
pointing upwards
"Oftena and ofteu, = answered WILL
0Aa& do NM lRoX mat AaaR a-H