Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-03-15
trance.. only that ndw- SHINE new .ate


would have said the man felt his fnre
hanging upon. ,lhe answer which the
young girl should give to his question:
Are YOU afraid OF me? ~
"Afraid?" repeated Jenny. with gen
tie surprise. "Why should / be afraid:
Surely you wouldn't do any harm to
Tony or me:'
NO more would 1, so help me
Heaven"
The man rose. stretching himself to
his full height. like one relieved from
some crushing weight.
'And now. my girl. if you will, you
may give me some of the pork and
beans you spoke about. They're
mighty warming on night like this"
Jenny sprang to do his bidding with
pleased alacri1y. setting a bountiful
portion upon the table, and drawing a
chair beside it.
81 can't see why father don't come"
she said. anXiously.
\ curious expression fitted across
the mans face.
Don't YOU fret. child" he answered.
The snow S drifted badly. and ii would
be nothing strange if they had to stop
somewhere on the road and wait till
morning. But you never mind: I'll at
tend to everything. You've got cattle
and things to look after. suppose.
I'll feed 'em for YOU. and hen I'll bring
in another log or two for the fire.
How good you are. sir! know
father will thank you thousand
1i1nes.'
"Thank NE yourself. child. I'm not
doing il for your father. It's long since
/ we had occasion to be thanked. and
the words have a sweet sound.
He opened the door and went out
through the binding SNOW.
Ret ,irning a half hour later. he care.
fully replenished the fire. ralling the
Goals together till the red blaze
mounted high in the great chimney.
Then he caught Tony in his arms
once more. making him laugh wit IL
merry story. before Jenny carried him
off to bed
"Thcre's no use expecting your folks
| Tonight" said the stranger. when
Jenny reappeared. having left her liz
tie charge quietly sleeping. THE
storm grows harder every minute.
But they'll be here bright and early in
the morning. never fear You 90 and
| lie down with the boy. and I'll just
camp here in front of he fire
"But YOU won't he comfortable. sir. :"
"Comfortablc. I'll get the sweetest
rest I've had for many 4 long night.
Jenny did as she was hidden. Still
dressed she threw herself upon the bed
beside her little brother.
1t was long before she slept. for as
the snow beat against the window
panes she could not repress sharp
anxiety for the safety of those she
loved.
"What should have done if this man
had not Gomez" she asked herself
again and again. HE seems so
strange: but he is very. very kind"
She lost consciousness at last. and
when she awolle, the sun was already
shining in at the eastern window.
She sprang up hastily. scarcely able
to collect her scattered memories of
the night of storm.
Hark. Could it beo It was. he
sound of slowly tinllling bells APP
preaching through the still air.
"rhav are comng." she cried. Joy.
fully. and ran int o the adjoining room.
1t was empty. and the fire smoldere'l
low upon the hearth. Her visitor had
gone, unalinounced and sudden as he
bad come.
"And he had no breakfast" monrned
poor Jenny "How shameful of me to
sleep like this"
She flung open the door just as her
fathers sleigh appeared in sight. the
stout horses struggling bravely
through the unbrollen drifts.
A cheerful halloo rang out, answered
by her own joyful voice.
The sleigh reached the door. and in q
moment Jenny was in her father
arms.
"My poor little girl. Thank God,
YOU are safe. I was wild With fear for
you-all alone in the stormy night.
"But | wasn't alone. fat Their. \ ma
came here and he was so kind. He fed
the cattle. and made my fire; but-cnlv
Think slept so late that he Went
away without any breakfast"
The father and son looked al eacl,
other.
What is that??" cried Jenny. g1anc-
ing at the table 81 do believe he left
letter. Yes--and directed to YOU,
father.s
Mechanically the father unfolded the
bit of paper. and this is what he read {:
Il knew Of the money YOU took from he
express Office last week at Mitvi,le
have bee. Watching NY opportunity ard
/ when You rose away to-day followed you.
| and cut down the big trees which YOU
found across Your road rs You ca nle back.
Il did his 10 gain time for l knaw You
could .ever cut Your way around before
morning.
Il came here TO rob you Your children
trusted me. The boy IS like one that re-
member If they had been afraid Of me.
I should have found Your money and gore
away. You VII think it foolish but it
lame TO ne that if there was something
eft in me that an innocent child could
rust. perhaps i; was enough for the be-
enning-just the begiaGing-of a better
| man.
JACK CARNIGAN."