The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-09-12
A DEADLY HATE.

In the cool of the morning Johr
Martin kissed his wife and two little
ones bye-bye at the door of their humble
home. half frame half dugout took
his team and went over the roll OF the
prairie TO work at his blowing. about
HALF u mile from the house. As he
paused on the top Of the roll before
going from sight, he called back to his
wife: Mary. let George come to me
at noon with lunch and fresh drink
OF buttermilk. It's so far that ! don't
think I'll come up for dinner. Give
the little collie drink and some grass.
too"
His wife called back. "All right
dear,r and waved her apron. He
turned to his team and started them
on. AS he said "get up" the near side
animal, whose little collie was left be-
hind in the rough corral. turned her
head. and looking back, whinnied long
and loud.
Come, come, Fan. go on; what's
the matter with youp My babies are
back there too, and they see that your
baby doesn't get hungry or thirsty
Come, go along old girl; we must go
and work for our babies"
The team started, and chatting cheer
fully to them for company's sake, they
went on to their work.
The sun climbed higher, and fur
row after furrow was turned. John
kept the team going steadily, but Fan
was FESTIVE and would throw her head
up and look around and then throw
herself into the collar and forge ahead
as though suddenly anxious TO get the
work finished.
What does all you, Fan; you seem
daft" said John, finally, docs your
harness hurt,y old glrl" And then
he went over the harness, carefully
examining each strap and piece where
II touched her sleek coat. ''Old girl.
your harness is all right, and you are
Just fussing for nothing. Now, If you
don't go steady you'll get whipped.
He went back between the handles OF
the pillow, and Fan threw her nose up
over her mates neck. looking in the
direction OF the house and whinnied
so shrill and mournful that John in
voluntarily looked in the same di-
rection. He started. Were his eyes
deceiving him! Was that thin COL
umn OF smoke rising in the clear air
from over the roll Of the prairie? His
heart almost stopped beating. 1t is
smoke! Fast as his fingers could
move he undid the harness fastenings
from the team, threw the harness to
the ground. released one horse and
sprang upon Fans back. She needed
no urging or directing. but leaped like
an arrow from the bow. AS they
gained tho summit of the rise of
ground, John looked, and had> to
clutch the horses name to keep from
falling. A thin blue column of smoke
was rising from the ground where his
home had stood, and as he cast an
agonized look over the plain for some
sign OF life, he saw away off on the
distant horison n few rapidly dimin-
ishing specks and little cloud of dust.
'Oh Fan, hurry, hurry!' No use to
urge the creature; she seemed TO share
his fear, and was doing the best that
flesh and blood could do, At the little
bed OF hot ashes she stopped and he
rolled from her back. For u few sec
onds he could not see, and his limbs
trembled so that he could not walk.
He knew what sight would meet him.
All at once he steadied up and the dim
ness left his eyes; he braced himself
TO meet the worst. A few steps from
him lay the body of his little boy
Georgia, the one that was to bring him
his lunch and drink at noon. file bent
over and tenderly kissed the little dead
face. Two more" he whispered TO
two more; where are theyp"
They were not far away--the little
girl, three years old with long brown
hair, and the wife-dead. ard the
had done its work. He
did not cry; he did not even groan, but
the look Of life had gone out OF his
face.
Side by side he laid the three
around whom all his hopes, all his am
bitions his love. was conferred, now
gone from him in n moment, it seemed.
he gazed Mt them for time
and then turned away. His must be
the hand to fashion their last resting
place. As he turned away to look
about again he heard light whinny
come from the cattle yard, he walked
that way. There stood Fan over the
body OF her colt whinnying pitifully
and nudging it with her nose to induce
1t to get up.
Your baby, too, hey. Fan. Poor
Fan! poor mel"
He staid by his dead all day and all
night; then he laid them gently in the
grave he made them. pressing last
kiss upon the unresponsive lips OF each.
His task finished. he mounted Fan.
and drawing rein beside the mounds
for a last look, raised his hand toward
heaven and took oath: Il swear be-
fore God, beside the graves OF my
dead, that so long as have life /
shall hunt Apaches. They have rob-
bed me OF all, and my hate shall never
be satisfied"
A couple OF officers were enjoying
their after-dinner smoke sitting in
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