The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-03-27


afternoon. There was no other passenger
train for the day Iexpeeted that father
would be waiting for me at ihe.littIe way
station Of c., some thirty miles fur
ther on.
Iwasnow homesick in dead earnest,
and resolved on learning that a mixed
train would start ont Al 6 o'clock in the
evening, TO push on with it, rather than
stop over till the next week. I hoped
might get conveyance to tie claim, or
in any event procure lodgings at c..
50, never needing the storm, harried
at the appointed time into the single old
passengerear.at the rear Of the long train
and was soon moving out into the dim.
white country. There was but one other
passenger. a dark, doubtful looking half
breed, who watched me 50 persistenily,
though furtiyely, that before We had pro-
eeeded many miles wonld have given
much if had remained behind
It was great relief to me when the
conductor came in and engaged the at
iention ofthe fellow, as ne occasionally
did, with inquiries about the Black Hills
from which 1t seemed he had just come
in.
Pierre and the fort across the river
we're the starting points to the hills for
the freighiers with their long OK and
mule teams OF six and eight span, and
big loaded Eagons coupled together like
cans. The presence of doubtful charac-
tiers in the vicinity was then not thing
unusual
confidently expected that we would
get to our point of destination within
three hours after starting, but 50 slow
was our progress on account of heavy
train and slippery track ;hat not more
than two thirds Of the journey had been
accomplished in that time.
The storm had come on again and the
wind blew a gale, and drove the frozen
hail in shick clouds across the dreary
country Night had shut down early,
making what was before an anxious stu
alton almost intolerable.
Ny odious fellow traveller had even
moved to nearer seat, and although
my suspicious may have done him injus-
( tice, felt him to be a dangerous neigh
Dor, and was shivering as much with
fright as cold, when the conductor again
came in and announced that we would
soon be at c..
Arc you expecting friends to meet
Z you, miss - he said 10 me.
Iexplained the situation to him hope
fully, but he pat on rather doubtful ex-
preston.
Bat s'posn your father amt there
what then ?" he asked with some concern
in his tones.
Why, | suppose, in that case, | shall
have 20 get lodgings, as it is too late to
get sonyeyanee,s replied, as calmly
as could.
Why, miss, there's only one house.
an that's more'n half a mile oif-an'
taia't likely you'd want to go to that
he added, in an undertone nothin but
a pack o half breeds living in it, and
queer at that. If 'twarn't so fur to my
place-two miles, l reCkon-Td ask We to
90 along, bat it's too tough out, blowin' a
regiar blizzard
Bat, surely, can stay in the station
the waiting-rooni p. / faltered.
Why, miss - he exclaimed, after re-
garoing me a moment, in wonder at my
ignorance / suppose. That's what I'm
hauling this lumber for, TO build new
one. The old one went up in blaze day
fore yest'dy. Tsarn't nothin' but shan
y, anyway" he added, picking up his
lantern, and going out hurriedly at an
imperative and shrill whistle from the
engine.
My feelings II this announcement can
be imagined.
Upon coming to a stop on the siding,
and finding no one to meet me, gave
way. for the irst time since leaving home,
10 tears. Jus, then rough hand touch
ed my shoulder, and my offensive car
mate groEied into my ear:
Where you go? Big storm. Come
long. take care YOU"
] shook OF his hand with shudder Of
terror, bgi mustered sufficient courage to
decline his attention most emphaticaIly,
whereupon he went of into the darkness
muiterins, and was leh to my frightsn-
ed thoughts
What would become Of me-
Il vas now about 10 o'clock, and the
storm still ragged. Clearly there wss moth
ing to be done but stay where was till
morning on the lonely prairie. The really
kind-hearted conductor came in again,
and rekindled the FIRE in the stove.
A" l don't see but you'll have to set II
ont here till mornin'." be remarked, not
without touch Of anxiety in his voice.
There don't seem 20 be nothin' else, I'll
leave ye my lantern, though ye'i better
blow it out. l reckon, after 20 away, .
the light needn't draw anytsdy round.
But III lea,, e these Matches he
continued, = in cass We want TO light it;
and III lock both doors Of the car, bat
III leave the key here inside. I'm sorry
miss. its 50 fur TO my place" he added,
after final Inspection Of the fire and a
look at two or three OF the windows
You can come pretty soon after / 90
out, ard lock the ear door,
With that he babe me good night, and
set off on his long tramp in the storm
with his two sons, who were the train
hands. Their work allowed them to be
at home only over Sundays. and they
were tired and hungry, presume
As soon as their steps had died away |
fell into panic. In spite of the storm
and darkness, and the long distance, |
regretted that had not brayei it all and
gone with them. Running out, shout
ed wildly after them.
But the storm bore my voice in anoth-
er direction, and after waiting yainly for
an answering hailoo, returned TO the
car, blew out the light, locked the door,
and huddled into far corner, where for
a long time sat, quite dumb with ter
ror.
How the moments dragged The storm
began 70 luli By II O'Clock the moon