The National tribune., 1902-01-23

vacuity between the spasmOdic efforts TO
return home, each bringing with 1t Il re-
morse at neglect of his mother and sweet
heart. He often, in such revivals of resO-
luton, would ask himself, Have l done
all | could? After all, have | not been
| too much of dreamer? Oh, that | had
the rugged frame and mind of one of these
uneducatcd backw0odsmen; l should defy
distance to Keep me from the ones |
loved"
On this particular morning, however,
he was more cheerful. Who could be all
gloom when the birds sang so sweetly, the
lambs skipped over the pasture, bees
buzzcd SO happily, and all nature seemed
to combine in one grand hallelujah?
You are going after the girl whom you
call Eunice?' said the school-master,
grasping Georges hand in his own. Il
am glad; she will be happy, and you will
be happy, and when | 90 home there will
be others happy"
You shall go. Mr.. Van Loon. You
can start home any time you want TO. |
owe you, and father owes you large sums
of money for all you have done
'No-nor'
Silence, sir; you have been fathers
amanuenSis; you have been his clerk for
q whole year: you have; been our book
keeper. Through your help we have
saved our home and fortune; it is but
right we should repay you, and we will.
When | return we are going to pay you
not give you money, nor loan you money,
but pay what we owe to you. We are
too proud to accept valuable services free
of charge"
Van Looms glance fell upon the ground.
land q strange look of mingled JOY and
sadness came over his face. Without a
word he turned about and walked away
toward his schoOl-house.
I George once more bade his relatives
adieu, mounted his horse and galopcd
away. 1t was joyous journey for the
young hunter.
The first night he stopped in settle
ment near the banks of the Missouri
River. Half a dozen pioneers were as
sembled at one of the cabins, with their
rifles. Their pale faces and strange, mvs-
FERROUS whispered conversation was alarm
ing.
Another Indian raid" he thought
Then. approaching them, he asked:
What is the matter? What has caused
your trouble?'
why, stranger, hain't We hearn on it?"
asked an old. grizzly-bearded pioneer who
carried rife that had evidently seen
service during the Revolution.
No: is it an Indian raid?' asked
George, his heart beating wildly.
''Wuss'n that" .. - -.--
'What can be worseF'
"a dad-hurned great big varmint
what's drinkin' the river dry, an eatin'
up tn woods" .s -
Deadly fear of another band of saw
ages capturing Euhice gave way to amaze
mert. 80 ..assss... .,s-
What is it likeE' he asked
Like what We never saw afore. Some
say it kim up thc river. others over the
hills. and Prophets says it few from
the Clouds"
Have you seen itssy- asked George, in
teresteds in this Tentagkahle .arnphibous
beast.
mo, hain't seed it yit, but I've hearn
what does it sound like?"
why, when IT draws its breath We kin
hear it er mile. soundin' like a scarf hoss
with his tail up, ar when it hollers. by
'jingo. We kin hear him 10 mile eff rod"
What does it look liieY'
''Wall. mons got good sight o him
yit. Simeon Mudd saw him bout six
miles away, an Sed it looked like Il duck
bigger'n a meetin' house 'er settin' on
ther water; thet it he'd er tail 10 mile
long, which wuz mostly under water all
ther time, but he could see it cr fappin'
an fiappin't away behind it. It's teeth
air Ionger'n fence rails. an its got moren
hundred eyes. an no doubt its tn devil.
COS smoke comes out o. its nose"
Such a terrible picture was painted of
the monster that even George. plain.
practical man as he was, felt sort of
superstitious thrill at the narration. The