Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-07-17
A NIGHT ON THE PRAIRIE
BY MAURICE sILINGsBY.


During visit to the West, happening
to be in st. Cloud, Minnesota, remem-
bered a very pressing invitation had
not long before received from an old
friend, a Mr. Westerveldt, who lived
only fifteen miles from St. Cloud, in one
of the infant settlements of the Pepin
Valley, and I determined upon paying
him visit.
I accordingly hired carriage, and
drove out to his residence, where / re-
ceived a most cordial welcome from my
old friend and his family, consisting of
two daughters, whom I had last seen
when only six or eight years old respec-
lively, but now developed into full
grown, beautiful women.
The days flew by with extreme pleas
antness amid 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 anxicusly awaiting the first fall
which might prove sufficiently abundant
to awaken the inspiring jingle of the
sleigh-bells.
Helen and Mabel had contemplated
visit to some friends in St. Cloud on
the occasion Of the first fall of snow
which might yield them slelghing, and l
promised to serve them in the enviable
capacity of escort.
shall never forget the sparkling eyes
and looks of pleasure that animated the
countenances of the two young ladies
when their father entered just before
sunset one evening, and declared that
there would be snow-and he reckoned
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 Mabel,
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
our united qualification, the next morn
ing showed us that the statement of Mr..
Westerveldt had been prophetic, for six
inches of SHOW had fallen during the
night.
All were now joyous, and after break
fast the cutter was gotten out and filled
with buffalo robes, for the thermometer
was below zero, with q fair prospect of
its being ever colder.
A span of beautiful grays-the especial
pride of Nh Westerveldt-werea attached
to the pole; and cloaked, hooded,
muffed, and mittened for the occasion,
we-Helen, Mabel, and myself-took
our places in tht 1ouble-seated cutter.
With taut rein, and an encouraging
chirrup to the horses, we were off like
the wind, cleaving 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, |
afterward learned, was chiefly directed
to cattle growing. He had but one child
"a daughter-and she, the girls IN
formed me, had but recently been
married to Gilbert Lyon, one of her
fathers hired men. He was smart
young fellow, they said, and it was con-
sidered good match.
After passing the house CT Mr.. Jaggers
we saw, at considerable distance ahead
of us, an ox-sled loaded with hay, and
the oxen, large and well-kept pair,
driven by young man in farmers
frock. AS we passed the load, which was
evidently onits way to St. Cloud, Helen
Westerveldt informed me that the driver
was the Gilbert Lyon who had married
Sophia Jaggers.
He was stout, good-looking fellow,
with ruddy cheeks, and dark hazel eyes
He walked with quick, elastic step,
which, added to his otherwise prepos-
sessing appearance, gave him look of
conscious power and independence.
We reached St. Cloud about ten
o'clock in the forenoon, and remained
at 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
no such disaster could happen to US.
We accordingly started en- our return
Just as the round, full moon came palely
blushing into view. It was intensely
cold-I never knew it to be colder dur
ing my sojou-n there. Our breath froze
as it left our nostrils, and hung in pen
dant icicles from our chilled noses.