Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-10-28

soon as possible. to pay the funeral ex,
nanses of the Major, to give Elite n
Ler attendant a respectable mourning
oatfit. and to defray their expenses to
their future home.
Rut. as this would probably be a
work of time, the good old captain,
with his accustomed liberality, ad-
yanced all the money necessary Tor
these purposes.
Tins. then, IL was. on a lovely sum
MOI. morning. that Elite Burns, Miss
pinchett and Captain Fuijoy STOOD on
the rustic porch of the old farmhouse,
watching up the creek for the distant
appearance oil the Busy Bee" which
was that morning expected on her re-
fern trip from ~Creekhead, ana Dy
which Elite and Miss Pinchett were TO
take their passage to Baltimore. On
the summit of the hill in front OF the
house waved a little red flag, as a sig
nal for the boat 10 stop and sen a
sLiT ashore there for passengers.
Poor little Elite loved her home as a
kitten does. That morning b a
x,isitad and taken leave of every room
in the house. every barn, courthouse
| HnI WOOtlSIIpu VII tt AIM
fed the poultry for the last time; she
had stroked the cows, II huggeu the
sheep, and patted the pigs on the heau
and cried over the horses. And sue
had fondled her dog and cat, ana COM
m,tted them to the ender care OF cap
tain Fuljoy, who promised 10 TAKE
them ali with him TO the isle, ana rove
them for Elites sake. And, To prove
IL. the old man held in his arms the
tortoise-shell eat. which he continual
liz caressed, and the little lap-doS'
which lay sleeping with its head upon
his shoulder.
Elites large. dark eyes Were red
with weeping at leaving her eloved
old home. and yet sparkling with de-
light at the thought of the strange,
new world into which h was going.
Here comes the steamer! Courage,
my little girl, You are about TO enter
upon the great world!' cried the cap
tain, as he levelled his glass FAR up
The creek. where, through the thin,
golden morning mist, the white smoke
of the steamer was seen. Ana soon
the sound of her paddle wheels was
heard, and soon after she came III
sight-a beautiful object, as II sped
onward over the broad, bright waters,
shining in the morning sun between
the green-wooded shores. She saw the
signal. for she turned her course so as
to come down on this sid
Tuljoy's Isle and Burnstop.
Now. my brave girl, come along.
and never look behind YOU" said the
captain, as he transferred both cat and
dog to one arm, and gave the other To
- y. 49, rA-l -. Ahn htH
Elites fun, crimson lips trembied
and her large, dark eyes filled with
ears.
"Good-by, old home! good-by, dear
old home!' she cried, as she took the
captains offered arm. They rapidly
descended the hill, and came down TO
the waters edge. Their luggage was
already on the beach, in charge of the
captains servant, Stepney.
The steamer had stopped just oppo-
site the spot where they stood, and sent
out "a boat that was now rapidly APP
preaching the shore. Every stroke of
the oars that brought her nearer
seemed TO fall heavily upon Elites
heart. AS ii grated upon the sand, on
reaching the beach. Elite threw her
self, %sobbing, into the arms of the old
captain.
Here! hold the dog and cat, Step
ney".' said the Old sailor, transferring
the pets to his man, while he drew
Elite into his embrace, kissed her and
solemnly blessed her. Lifting his hat
from his venerable, white head. and
placing his hand upon hers, he said:
May the Father Of the fatherless
watch over you. my beloved child.
May He preserve o from all the
temptations, sins and perils that beset
your youth, sex and orphanage! May
He lead you through a righteous, use
full and happy life to a good old age, a
peaceful death and a blessed immortal
ity. for the Sayiour's sake! Amen"
Then he put on his hat. lifted her as
though she had been an infant, and
placed her in the boat.
Elite was sObbing as il her heart
would break.
The captain then courteously assisted
Miss Pinchett into the boat, seated
her comfortably, shook hands with her
and stepped back upon the sands. The
rowers o their oars, and were about
TO push the boat off, when Ertie
looked up from the handkerchief into
which she had been sobbing. and said:
MY little dog and cat! l haven't
said good-by to the poor things yet.'
But even when she spoke, the cap
ain was bringing them to her.
Take them, Elite, take them with
You. dear child!' he said, placing them
in her lap.
But, oh. may ell? VIII the people
on the boats and in the cars let me
take my little dog and cat?" said little,
eagerly, smiling through her tears.
Yes, my dear. they are so small
and gentle. They will not annoy any
one. IL any one objects, tell them that
you are a poor fatherless and mother
less girl, going among strange rela-
tives, and that your two little friends
are all that is left of your home. NV
word Tor 1T, no II will wish to de-
priye you of them. Have faith i'm the
good feelings of your fellow beings.
Elite. Once more good-by my childr'
said the captain, STOPPING and pressing
a Kiss upon her forehead, and then
turning hastily away and striding to
the shore, to conceal the tears that
rushed 10 his eyes.
The boat put off. Elite clasped her
pets TO her bosom, and sat watching
Ia"