The Press., 1891-01-01
THE BLIZZARD.
STANLEY WOOD, IN THE GREAT DIVIDE.


 STANLEY WOOD, IN THE GREAT DIVIDE.
 rThe blizzard which swept over western Kansas during the winter of 1sss-7, productive of many thrilling episodes. The story of Niles Nelson was ceedng the winter of the great storm while he was on vist from his home in Denver, to his cattle ranch % a ao% t9oe oan Ss which asserts that fact is stranger than fctionl It was New Years Eve, and the wind blew Across the prairies that lie between Fort Dodge, on the Arkensaw, under the hill, And the struggling hamlet of Purdyville, Where dwelt Niles Nelson, who rode that day, From his home to the northward, far away, Over the bunch grass, bare and brown, Into the bustling frontier town.
 The night was dark; not star on high, And blizzard brewing up there in the sky. Niles Nelson stepped out into the street; The wind was driving 8 binding sheet @ Of powdery snow right into his face; But Niles was happy; he left the place With glow in his heart, for little Moll, His baby daughter, would get her doll, The New Years gift, he had promised long. Niles Nelson trolling New Years song, And facing the northward, sturdily rode, While past him the Storm Fiends coursers .
 The snow grows deeper, the night more wild. When he hears the vail of 6 little child, Lost on the prairie and doomed to die, If heaven prove deaf to it's feeble cry. He leaps from hls pony, he searches long; He feels; he has it, within his strong Rough hands, he presses it to his breast, place of shelter, place of rest
 Don't cry, little honey, you'll catch more cold" And he wrapped the child in many fold Of his blanket coarse, ,sand he hugged t tight To his big broad breast, but the blizzafdsss blight, | Still stroye to wither its tender life. I He mounted his pony and then the strife 1 With the wolfish wind and the binding snow, And the biting cold that the plainsmen know, When the Storm Fend flies, began once more, And under his breath Niles Nelson swore. Then silence fell, in the tumult wild. And he heard the voice of the little child; ''Now lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If should die before wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take" Niles Nelson paused, at the sound dismayed And then-and then Niles Nelson prayed: "Lord save," was all he could think of then "Lord save" he muttered, Lord save Amen. The SCartlnS to nOEtuWhru, huu iuto tAo AISut, 'tI see it, he shouted, "thank God, N'light. | Twas beam from lamp on window sill Of his own sod cabin. With right good will His pony quickened its tagging pace, And soon in that dear, familiar place, His cosy cabin, Niles Nelson stands ;:t.' He kisses his wife, and he holds her hands, Where's Mollie," he cries. 'swhere's little Poll I've brought her wonderful New Years doll, J And he points to the bed, where the blanket lies, In queer little bundle, ''That's my surprise, Why don't you answer, you're deadly pale; You tremble and shiver; you sob and wall. Answer, where's Mollie p ''Oh! Miles," she My God, how con I-Oh! Niles, she's dead. , ''Dead!" ''les, Niles, she's, lost in thesnow; To-day was pleasant, and Mollie aoouM go On the prairie to play, and she didn't come
 back,
 When the night shut down all stormy and
 black.
 Fl set the lamp on the window sill, Rushed into the night and sought her until The blizzard drifted me back to the door, That shall open for Mollie, our Mollie, ne
 more. ,"
 Niles Nelson stood like a statue of stone Then he raised his hand and said with groan s.Is there God that will kill child And bring it's father across the wild Of wintry plains to save from death The child of another ?" He drew his breath With savage hiss, as he snatched away The blanket in which the baby lay. The blue eyes open; the rose lips call, "Oh, papa, your home, now wantmy doll. '