The Opelousas courier., 1891-08-01
A NIGHT ON THE PRAIRIE,
BY Q R ~sILINGsBY.

10 De IN St. cloud, Minnesota, | remem.
bered a very pressing invitation / had
not long before received from an ole
friend, a Mr.. Westeryeldt, who lived
only fifteen miles from st. Cloud, in one
of the infant settlements of the Pepin
Valley, and | determined upon paying
him a visit.
| accordingly hired a carriage, and
drove out to his residence, where / re.
ceived a most cordial welcome from nv
old friend and his family, consisting Of
two daughters, whom / had last seen
when only six or eight years old respee-
lively, but now developed into full.
grown, beautiful women.
The days flew by with extreme pleas
antness amid a round of amusements.
Although it was unusually cold even
for January, no snow had yet fallen-or,
at least, not any worth mentioning-and
we are a~nxiously awaiting the first fall
which might prove sufficiently abundant
to awaken the inspiring jingle of the
sleigh-bells.
Helen and Mabel had contemplated a
visit to some friends in st. Cloud on
the occasion OF the first fall of snow
which might yield them sleighing, and I
promised to serve them in the enviable
capacity of escort.
shall never forget the sparkling eyss
and looks OF pleasure that animated the
countenances of the two young ladies
when their father entered lust before
sunset one evening, and declared that
there would be snow-and he reckoned
a pretty good quantity of it before morn
ing; and his long residence in the Terri
tory had ably qualified him to Judge with
correctness.
Helen expressed the satisfaction she
felt IN her usual quiet way, while Magsl,
more sanguine and demonstrative than
her elder sister, fairly shouted and danced
about the room in delightful anticipation
OF the long wished-for event. And, to
o united qualification, the mex morn
ing showed us that the statement of Mr..
Westerveidt had beer prophetic, for six
inches of snow had fallen during the
night.
ALI were nov joyous, and after break
fast the cutter was gotten out and filed
with buffalo robes, for the thermometer
was below zero, with a fair pl aspect of
its being ever colder.
A span of beautiful grays-the especial
pride of MIR. Westerveldt-were attached
to the pole; and cloaked, hooded.
mufied, and mittened for the occasion.
We-Helen, Mabel, and myself-took
places in the double-seated cutter.
With a taut rein, and an encouraging
chirrup to the horses. we were off like
the wind, cIeaving through the frosty air
like an arrow winged from a bow.
In twenty minutes we had passed the
only house on the road, and one of the
young ladies mentioned the name of the
oWner-Mr. Jaggers. His ranch, or
farm, was extensive, and his attention, I
afterWard learned, was chiefly directed
to cattle growing. He had but one child
IA daughter-and she, the girls IN
formed me, had but recently been
married to Gilbert Lyon, one of her
fathers hired men. He was q smart
young fellow, they said, and it was con-
sidered q good match.
After passing the house cf Mr.. Jaggers
we saw, at q considerable distance ahead
of us, an ox-sled loaded with hay, and
the oxen, 9 large and well-kept pair,
driven by a young man in a farmers
frock. As we passed the load, which was
evidently on its way to St. Cloud, Helen
W~esterYeldt informed me that the driver
was the Gilbert Lyon who had married
Jaggers.
He was 9 stout, good-looking fellow,
with ruddy checks, and dark hazel eyes.
He walked with q quick, elastic step,
which, added to his otherwise prepos-
sessing appearance, gave him a look OF
conscious power and independence.
We reached St. Cloud about ten
o'clock in the forenoon, and remained
1T the Kamptons', whom we were visit
ing, until after tea. They tried to per-
suade US to remain over night, assuring
US we should freeze before we could get
half way across the prairie. But with
the abundance of furs and buffalo robes |
at our command we were confident that
such disaster could happen to Us.
We accordingly started on our return
just as the round, full moon came palely
blushing into view. It was intensely
coidI never knew it to be colder dur
my sojourn there. Our breath froze
as It left IA n~ostrils, and hung in PEN
dant icicles from our chilled noses.
! was beginning to regret that we had
not accepted the advice of our friends,
and remained over night in st. Cloud,
when our ears were startled BY d dismal
howl at no great distance, which was
answered BY similar sounds far
Their off.
turned to the girls for an explana-
ton, for the sounds were new to me,
when I noticed with alarm that they were
trembling violently, and what could be
OF their faces was deadly pale. IL
evident from their scared and
appearance that they were terri
bly, frightened.
sFor Heavens sake, Helen-R1abel-
what Is the matter2 Was there ANYTHING
q what we just heard TO alarm you
EhusaN I a~nxiously inquired.
tsGod help uslp answered Helen. with
shndders ssthe wolves are Oh our
rackln
| had never before heard the howl OF
bose prairie demons, which are coward
] enough, except when driven BY
aunger, Of raiding together III large
,acks.
0n this occasion it was evident. from