Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1890-10-02
A MOURNFUL BAPTISM.
The Sad Story of the Christening
Of Lake St Fleur.

y
scenery of the ''Black Glades," lies one
OF the most serene lakes in Dakota. It
bears the sweet, suggestive name Of St.
Fleur.
b Connected with the history of this
little gem of the wilderness is sad,
romantic narrative which gave to the
aim waters their mournful baptism,
and which is full OF pathetic interest
as told to me.
The story itself is sad enough to
bring tears to the eyes of any listener
anywhere. but when heard by the soli-
tary grave under the bowling willows it
borrows an additional solemnity. and is
more sorrowful than the moan of the
water at the foot of the bluff
1t was in the year 49,, when the
steady march Of industry had brought
the sturdy lum bermen to the North,
and the solitary depths Of dark pine
woods resounded with the echoes Of in
dustrial life.
Among the dillEent workmen was q
young and handsome German, who
never entered into the jovial songs and
rude jokes of his fellows. Always calm
and unobtrusiye, yet withal pleasant,
he won friends among the more refined
classes of the laborers and the name OF
"Prince Earnest" from the ruder grade,
which stood in derisive antagonism of
one whom it could not comprehend. AL.
though tho grand appellation was given
him by way of contempt, it accorded
with his lordly bearing and earnest
spirit perfectly.
With the disappearance of winter and
the ice spring came, and the rafting be-
gan in earnest. The more fearless and
venturesome raftsmen went careering
over the water with an easy Needless
ness, while the timid and uninitiated
were circumspect and slower of move
ment.
Among the latter was prince
Earnest" And if any one of the rude,
uncultured experts could run him
down." it proved a source of great hilar-
ity at his expense.
One morning in being thus impeded
by a careless Irish raftsman, who, per-
'haps, had no idea of any serious conse-
quences resulting, he lost his presence
of mind and footing as we'll, and
Slipped from the raft into the chilling
water.
HE can't swim stroke, and you're
the death of him." called one Of the
mon in the rear, who had seen the I'M
fortunate man fall. frightened at this
the Irishman sprang into the lake to
the rescue. The logs had foated over
him, but with timely assistance he was
rought from beneath them. The burly
rescuer lifted the inanimate burden up
to two pair of strong, willing arms, and
then climbed out of the water himself,
shivering with old and excitement, and
with very VIII 5e, alarmed face.
1t was but the work Of few minutes
to get the unconscious man on shore
and into the warmth of the lodging
house. Here every available means Of
resuscitation were thoroughly tried, but
in vain. Prince Earnest was past res
toration.
TORY McCorman, the perpetrator Of
the fatal joke, was the first to speak
after the futile attempts were aban-
doned Comm forward, he caressed
tho cold, calm ace with his toil-worn
palm, and excl timed: ssAn shure OF
only meant to taze him a little, an
Olive kilt i'm intoirely! Oh shall be re-
pintin' Nv it till me heart Is broke. y
The men looked sartivvIy at one an
other as McCorman staggered to cor
ner, sat dow and covered his face
with his staines. hands.
His friends?' suggested one; but
not man knew any thing Of the dead
mans affairs.