The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-03-12

small village OF GibbSbOrOugh. 1t was
late in the autumn and the weather
was cold and gloomy. while the near
est neighbor was nearly a mile away;
yet they were never lonesome, for the
honeymoon was scarcely over and they
were still very fond of each others so
ciety.
Mr.. Gibbs, ST., lived at Gibbsborough,
and the two families were on the very
best of terms The young people were
very comfortably situated. as Freeman
owned his farm, free of incumbrance,
and had just sold his interest in man.
ufacturing enterprise at the village for
three thousand dollars in cash. So the
future outlook was exceedingly bright
for the young couple.
The money for the quarter interest
in the factory was paid over to Mr..
Gibbs at his house one forenoon late in
November. Before he had time to
take it to the bank a driving snow
storm set in, andehe concluded to wait
until the morrow rather than face such
tempest, although he realized that
everybody at the village probably
knew there was large sum in his
possession: A robbery had not been
committed in the vicinity for years,
and besides that Freeman was a
courageous fellow who always kept
revolver within reach; SO he had no
fears for the safety of his money.
The storm increased in violence as
the night came on, and by dark there
were eight inches of snow that the
furious wind was rapidly whirling into
great heaps. Mr.. Gibbs and his wife
retired quite early. aud, lulied by the
roar of the storm without they were
soon sleeping as only light-hearted
young people can sleep.
1t was almost midnight when a
laundering knock at the door aroused
them both. Thrusting his head out OF
the window, Mr.. Gibbs called out:
who is there?"
Lewis Lakewood" was the answer.
"Your father has just had shock and
cannot live till morning. II you wish
TO see him alive, come Immediately"
Lewis lakewood was his fathers
nearest neighbor. so Freeman never
had doubt of the mans identity or
the truth Of his tidings OF course
anxiety for his stricken parent at
once overcame all fear of the terrible
storm.
.'Dare you stay alone and let me 90,
Nettie?" said he to his wife. mo team
can get through, so il is out of the ques-
ton for you to attempt to get there
In this bitter tempest. As for me, feel
~ IL must see my father once moro.
Poor fatherw
Certainly dare" was the ready
answer. for Nettie Gibbs was no
coward. mo one will get out in this
storm to trouble me, and you will be
back early in the morning. l will sit
by the Ere and read. so you need have
no fears for me-"
Thus encouraged Mr.. Gibbs was soon
dressed and at the door. but when he
opened it he was greatly surprised to
find that there was no one there The
midnight messenger was gone.
His tracks were plain upon the
steps, however, aud without an in
stant's hesitation Freeman plunged
into the blackness of the bowling
storm. His fathers health was of far
more importance TO him than Lewis
Jackwood's abrupt and unexpected de-
parture.
His progress was necessarily slow for
the snow was already deeply drifted.
Step by step he fought his way through
il, but more than an honr went by before
y Esanhsd his destination, Another
q