Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
FATHER AND /.
BY MANpA L. CROKER.

had ridden all day, and now, at
pdown, / found myself in an isolated
Il, without any prospect of decent
hits lodging.
10 sign of habitation could I see,
I peered this side and that in the
sky shadows-nothing but billy,
prsely timbered country, as far as
eve might discern.
had started some six weeks pre-
bus for the cheap lands in the West,
ending to purchase home with the
lie allowance 1 possessed. I had
en- rather unfortunate all my life.
hen mere child, my father went to
frontier, and my mother, after hav-
looked in vain for word from him
year or more. concluded that the
dams had murdered him-they at
BIT time being in state of hostility
and, gathering her little all about
r, went back to New York, broken
arted and disconsolate. In few
pnths after her arrival she sank into
grave, leaving me a penniless Or
ian.
A gentleman of her acquaintance
opted me and removed me, with his
mily, to Indiana, before the grass
ew green on my mothers grave, and
us hurried me away from all I held
ar on earth, and many were the bit
tears shed in the deep woods of
cosierdom in memory of the lonely
AVE near Utica.
Nevertheless, when I became of age
remembered, in looking over the
l st, that I had had kind father in
foster-parent, and when he gave
quite little sum and sprightlv
Bny, saying, $50 West, Clifford, and
II rich," 1 started at once.
As sequel, at the close of cold,
w November day, I found myself
Fling over winding. isolated road,
bund for somewhere. 1 hardly knew
here.
|Dismounting, I slipped the rein over
h arm and concluded to walk down
(e rocky declivity before me; as I
(oceeded slowly, wondering where I
light camp out for the night, I came
|ddenly on an old man, with bundle
his back, at turn in the road.
He looked up with quiet "Good
Fening," and turned aside to let me
ass. Gould you tell me-" I said,
where I might find a shelter for the
ight?"
He looked at me again steadily for
loment, then, without answering my
uestion, asked cautiously where I
allied from.
From Indiana" I replied. II am
uniting fortune in the great West,
nd | rather thinkI have struck q poor
9ction to-day"
Il guess ye have, sir; but just be-
Ond these hills lies O beautiful strip of
'rming land" he said.
"As to your stopping for the night"
e continued, shifting his bundle lit
e, IF you're not over particular as to
ommodations, why, 1 reckon you can
unk with me; and your nag can do
cry we'll in the shed with q bunch O.
oder. faint the finest in the
orld, stranger, but it is the best I
now of, 'nless you go ten miles further
p the creek"
Il shall be very thankful for your
I said; and we trudged on
'gether in the gathering night, until
e came to another road branching off
ito the scattered timber.
Il live up here q ways" he remarked,
urninp abruptlv into the dimly out
ned way. A quarter of a mile further
u and we came to his domicile. Here's
here 7 stay" he said, opening the
COR to rude log hut which seemed
0 have grown into the side of hill.
On entering I found it quite COM
ortable on the inside, despite the I'M
exterior. Now rest your
elf" he said, putting down his bundle
nd striking light, while I give your
ag bite under the she'd" With this
he old man laughed little, as sort
apology, I thought, and disappeared
utside.
| sat thinking. Somehow I rather
|ked his looks. Not SO very old. he
eemed cheerful, Notwithstanding his
oomy surroundings, and 1 wondered
WY he was here alone. "Wife is
|ead," I thought, looking about me
round the plainly furnished, one
coined abode. maybe a confirmed
I'D bachelor, ora notorious character
uding from justice, and one who in
ends finishing me for his own aggran-
llzement," whispered an evil genius IN
ny ear.
This suggestion made me shiver and
sat revolving it in my mind until 1t
seemed the most natural thing in the
world, and by the time he returned l
Fas in good trim to watch every move
nent of the unususpecting old man as
le busted himself about the evening
neal.
"A short nag liz soon curried, ne
SAID with a smile, arranging the corn
bread, bacon and coffee on the table.
was somewhat taken aback, however
In the evil prompting considerably.
When mine host of the cabin bowed ms
pead reverently and asked Gods bles'
sing on the frugal repast. :.
- Well!" I thought, he surely isn't
IN escaped convict, unless he asore,
peAted here among the hills" AND