Semi=weekly graphic., 1895-12-25

T WAS Christmas eve, and the
 <A wind blew keen l Across the prairies that lie between Fort Dodge, on the Arkansaw, under the
 hill,
 And inc struggling hamlet of Purdyville, Where dwelt Niles Nelson, who rode that 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 a star on high And the blizzard brewing up there in the Niles Nelson stepped out into the street; The wind was driving Q blinding sheet | Of powdery snow right into his face. Rut Niles was happy; he left the place With g glow in his heart. for little Mon, | His baby daughter, would get her doll, | The Christmas gift he had promised long. | Niles Nelson, trolling q Christmas song, And facing the north wind, sturdily rode, | Whflepast him the Storm Fiend's coursers
 strede.
 The snow grows deeper, the night more wild,
 When he hears the wall of little child | Lost in the prairie and doomed to die l If Heaven prove deaf to it's feeble cry. He leaps from his pony, he searches long; l He feels it; he has it within his strong, | l A place of shelter, place of rest. 1 Don't cry, little honey. you'll catch more
 cold"
 And he wrapped the child in many fold l Of his blanket coarse, and he hugged it
 tight l To his big broad breast, but the blizzards still strove to wither it's tender life. | He mounted his pony, and then the strife l With the wolhsh wind, and the binding And ii1e"t the biting cold Chat the plainsmen When the Storm Fiend nies) began once And under his breath Niles Nelson swore. Then a silence fell in the tumult wild, i And he heard the voice of the little child: Now lay me down to sleep;
 pray Thee, Lord, my soul 10 keep;
 If should die before wake,
 pray Thee Lord my soul to take. Niles Nelson paused, at the sound dis
 mayed,
 And then-and then Niles Nelson prayed: Lord save. was all he could think of
 then.
 ''Lord save he muttered. aLord save. Then staring to northward. and into the
 night,
 q see itf' he shouted: Thank God,
 light
 Twas beam from lamp on the window Of his own sod cabin. With right good 1 will
 His pony aufckened its tagging pace, | And soon in that dear, familiar place. l His cozy cabin, Niles Nelson stands l He kisses his wife and he holds her hands. Where's Mollie?" he cries, where's lit-
 tie Poll?
 I've brought her a wonderful Christmas
 dolli"
 Then he points to the bed where the blanket lies
 prise.
 Why don't you answer? You're deadly
 pale;
 You jremble and shiver; you sob and wall i Answer! Where's Mollie?" "Oh, Niles
 she said
 My God, how can I? Oh, Niles, she's "Dead?' "Yes. Niles. she's lost in the To-day was pleasant. and NIoIie would go 1 On the prairie to play, and she didn't come
 back
 When the night shut down, all stormy and
 black, l I set the lamp on the window sill, 1 Rushed into the storm and sought until l The blizzard drifted me back to the door, That shall open for Mollie, our Mollie, no
 mofe.'
 Niles Nelson stood like statue of stone; Then he raised his hand and said, with
 groan: i 'Is there a God that will kill q child And bring it's father across the wild 1 Of wintry plains to save from death 1 The child of another?" He drew his breath | With savage hiss. as he snatched away l The blanket in which the baby lay. i The blue eyes open: the rose lips call: | "Oh, papa, you're homel Now want my doll"
 Stanley Wood, in Chicago Times
 "A Christmas story.-"I did not ex- ] Danf a ei,,c.le ,,,.oea,,t Iifa