The state herald., 1891-01-09
THE BLIZZARD.
STANLEY WOOD, IN THE GREAT DIVIDE

The blizzard which swept over western
Kansas during the winter Of 1857, was
productive OF many thrilling episodes. The
story Of Niles Nelson was related TO the
author OF this poem In tho spring, succeed
ing the winter Of this great storm, while
he was on visit, from his home in Denver,
TO his cattle ranch near Purdyville, Hodge.
man County, Kansas, the scene Of the In
cident How true is the proverb which
asserts thnt fact is stronger than fiction.
1t was New Years Eve, and the wind
blew keen
Across the prairies that lilo between
Fort Dodge, on the Arkensaw, under the
hill,
And the straegling hamlet of Purdyville,
Where dwclt Niles Nelson, who rode that
day,
From his home to the northwnrd far away,
Over the bunch grass, bare and brown,
Into tho hustling frontier town.
The night was dark, not star on high,
Aud blizzard brewing up there in the sky.
Niles Nelson stepped out into the street;
The wind was driving u binding sheet
or powdery snow right into his face;
But Niles was happy ho left the place
With glow in his heart, for littlo Moll,
His baby daughter, would got her doll,
The New Years gift he hud promised long.
4'iito ANuinOn tiOlilue a. ANtW song,
And facing the northwind sturdily rode,
While past him the Storm Fiends coursers
strobe.
The snow grows deeper, the night more
wild,
When he hears the wall Of little child
Lost on the prairie and doomed to die,
II heaven prove deaf to It's feeble cry.
ite leaps from his pony, he searches long,
lie feels 1t; he has 1t, within his strong
Rough hands; he presses II to his breast,
a place of shelter, place of rest
"Don'tGry; little honey you'ii catch more
Aud he wrapped the child In many fold
OF his blanket coarse, and he Rugged IL
tight
To his big, broad breast, but the billiards.
blight,
Stili strove TO witherits tender life.
lie mounted his pony, and then the strife
With the woiiish wind and the binding
snow,
Aud the biting cold that plainsmen know,
When the Storm Ficnd flies, began once
more,
And under his breath Niles Nelson sworc,
Then silence fell, in the tumult wild.
And he heard the voice OF the little child.
"Now | lay me down 10 sleep;
pray the Lord my soul TO keep.
III should die before wake,
pray the Lord my soul TO take"
Niles Nelson paused, al the sound dis
mayed,
And then-and then Niles Nelson prayed:
Lord save" was all he could think OF
then,
Lord save he mu,tercd, Lord save,
Amen.n
Then staring to the northward, and into
the night.
al an, /, n ~ .h.,,.i "a
Twas a beam from lamp on the window
OF his own sod cabin With right good
will
His pony guiclSenel its tagging pace,
Aud soon IN that dear, familiar place,
HIS coy cabin, Niles Nelson stands;
lie Kisses his wife, aud he holds her
Where's Mollie, he cries, 'whores little
Poll.
I've brought her wonderful New Years
doll"
Aud he points to the bed where the blan-
ket lies.
Ia Il queer little bundle. That's my sur
prise.
Why don't you answer you're deadly
pale
You trcmblo and SILVER you sob aud wall
Answer, where's MOllic o. ooh, Miles,
she said,
My God, how can Ion! Niles, SHE'S
dead.
"Dead!" "Yes, Niles, she's lost In the
snow;
To-day ,s pleasant, and Mollic ic0uld go
On tho prairie 10 play, aud she didn't come
back,
When the night shut down all stormy aud
black.
set the lamp on tho window sill.
Rushed into the storm and sought hct
until
The blizzard drifted me back 10 tho door,
That shall open for Molliu, our MolIic, no
more -
Niles Nelson stood like statue OF stone.
Then no raised his head and said with "a
groan,
els thorc a God that will kill "a child
Aud bring It's father across the wild
or wiutry plains TO save from death
Tue CHILD of anotherNn lie drew his I
breath
VIVA a savage hiss, a. he snatchcd away
Tho blanket In which the baby luy.
The blue eyes open; the rose lips call
"Oh, papa, you're hoGe, now ! want my
doil.n