The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1902-12-23
THE YAKIMA HERALD.
TUESDAY, DEC. %, 1902.
( A CHRISTMAS I
N~>~~~~A


EDITOR ERALD:-With some hesita-
ton l hand you simple little story,
founded on fact, for the Christmas edi-
ton of ''THE HERALD"
1t is written up without an attempt at
punishment. Just plain little story
Of an incident, that actually took place,
according to the statements OF the, "old
settler" when our country was young
and before the Northern Pacific railroad
was thought of and indeed before North
Yakima was founded.
Perhaps you may think it worthy of
"space;" possibly it may please the lit
tie ones and, percbance, be of interest
to others. Wishing you and "THE HER
AID" Merry Christmas,
am most respectfully yours,
A FRIEND.
In one OF the little valleys of Kick
itat sturdy American pioneer had made
his home. There with his wife and lit
tie ones he had settled and by hard
work, square dealing with all and wise
selection of a homestead, became fairly
successful.
In the house and dairy his efforts
were well supplemented by the diligence
and economy of faithful, energetic
wife. The neighboring squatters, few
and far between, respected him. Even
the Indians, and there were quite num-
Der living in the vicinity and on the
ranch, loved him, for his justice, hon.
esty and many acts of kindness toward
them.
His barns and granary were full the
hay-stacks studded the fields; his cattle
and horses were fat; there was an ample
supply of provision and provender for
man and beast; everything had been
made ready for the SHOWS and storms of
winter.
The sleighing was good, and two days
before Christmas he started over the
hills for the county-seat, some forty
miles away, to purchase few of the al
ways esgerly-anticipated remembrances
from Santa Claus for the children, and
with hidden, cherished purpose to
surprise, in some substantial manner,
the dear wife on his return with like
token of love and affection.
The next was typical winter day /;
the wind soughed mournfully through the
trees along the creek: the air was damp,
chilly, creepy; the dark, gray clouds
rolled low down on the hills about the
valley, hiding their tops from the view |;
the chickens hoped daintily out through
the snow and then:scurried back to their
warm coop; the cattle filed off to the
stream to drink and at once returned in
solemn procession to the sheds; the
horses punched together in the brush
under the cottonrwoods the old watch
dog hesitatingly left his warm corner by
the kitchen fire, walked gingerly down
the snow path, shifted the air, then
turned back and scratched at the house
door for admission.
Everything was dark, gloomy, forbid
ing, and presaged coming storm. Even
the children were affected and became
unusually troublesome and fretful.
Shortly after noon the wind ceased,
and then the snow began. At first, lit
tie, scattering, dry flakes, growing larger
and larger, coming faster and faster I'M
I'll it seemed as if there was one vast.
white sheet extending down from the
clouds above to cover everything below
in it's white, cold mantle.
The storm was well on, when the
"Tyee" of the Indians opened the door
and asked, Boston man, no Gomez
On being told he had not, closed the
door and hurriedly walked off.
This alarmed the wife and mother.
On going to the window, she could faint
iv discern, through the falling snow, a
group Of Indians standing by the ranch
gate.