The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-09-05
CHAPTER XII.
PROBLEM 3.

Twas a fine cold morning that
dawned after my interview with the
morning that
will be memorable to me always as the
first and only time when | became q
pIay-actor and took on myself to play
a role. The air a that cool, crisp
feeling that tells us winte has begun
to put in his finger n that soon we
shall have snow. 1t was by far toe
cold at Z o'clock to be out in the open
air-at least. so thought the ferryn1an
at Gowan's Ferry, as he betooS himself
to the shore upon the west bank OF the
river to see his boat. He was but par
TALLY yawake; for. be it said under foul
eyes,, he had not betaken himself to his
rest the night before at a reasonable
hour, and consequently he had slept
late, which is. but natural, and no doubt
occurs anywhere, whether the sleeper
be a ferryman at Gowan's Ferry or a
king Of England, or, for that matter.
any who, being human, a a re-
gard for natures sweet restorer.
The ferryman, upon finding his boat
in readiness for whatever emergency
cast a glance over the dark, cold wa
tiers of the Hudson, rubbed first one
ear and then the other, and, recording
a silent hope that all others in. that Vi
cinity might have been up late the
night before.a and therefore sleeping late
on this chilly morning-the ferryman
I say, having allowed himself this
course of reasoning in less time, thar
1T takes to write it here, Was in the act
of turning towards his small house
with the prospect of a short nap be-
tween the sheets he had left coZy and
warm, when he became aware of the
| approach Of a middle-aged gentleman
Twas evident even to the diluted wits
OF the ferryman that his fervent prayer
had not been answered. And, further
more, he realized but too we'll hat the
gentleman, reasonably well to do
mounted on his sleek, substantial,
horse, showed unrnistakable signs OF
an intention to cross the Hudson. Now
this being neither agreeable nor vel
amusing to the ferryman, he became
on the instant filled with unreasoning
spleen, though in reality he was of the
most even and kindly disposition.
The well-to-do middle-aged gentle
man on the Substantial cob, you must
know, was zone other than Mr.. Argyle
Bartlett. Mr.: Bartlett was evidently
from Boston, for there was that about
him which told of the New Highlander;
and then, as now, most substantial.
looking middle-aged gentlemen of New
England birth hailed originally from
Boston. There was, however, some.
thing about the cut Of his coat, which
though s%crupulously clean, was Of 8
somewhat ancient pattern, that sug.
gested that Mr.. Bartlett might posi-
bly, have come from a town somewhat
] nearer the b~ackwoods than Boston
Mr.. Bartlett appeared to be. in Other
words, nothing more nor less than
merchant Of New England, who, having
set aside some profits from his bust
ness year by year, seemed now wan
dered somewhat far from his household
gods and in no Very fortunate season
And, though the ferryman did no
know him from Father Adam, or from
me, for that matter, he realized thai
he must roy him across AS the trav'
eler approached, the ~ferryInan per
ceived that he had pistols in his saddle,
holster and that he wore 81 sword. THAI
again went to show that Mr.. Argyle
bartlett was as shrewd as he wa:
scrupulously clean, thereby exhibiting
two qualities that marked him as &
New .Englander. Tn such times" he
had evidently said to himself, Gin sucf
times it is wise to go prepared for any,
thing, Consequently he went armed.
CONTINUED Next Week.)