Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-09-06
CHAPTER XII.
PROBLEM z.

Twas a fine cold morning that
dawned after my Interview with the
commandments morning that
will be memorable to me always as the
first and only time when I became a
p~lay-actor and took on myself to play
a role. The air had that cool, crisp
feeling that tells us winter has begun
to put in his finger and that soon we
shall have snow. 1t was by far too
colo at Z o'clock to be out in the open
air-at least, so thought the ferryman
at Gowan's Ferry, as he betook himself
to the shore upon the west bank OF the
river to see his boat. He was but par
TALLY yawake: for, be 1t said under four
eyes, he had not betaken himself TO his
rest the night before at a ~seasonable
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 one who, being human. has . 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
ters of the Hudson, rubbed first n
ear n hen the other, and, recording
a silent hope that all others in that vi
cinity might have been up late the
night before and therefore sleeping late
on this chilly m~orniug-the ferryman,
| say, having allowed himself this
course of reasoning in less time thar
Ii takes to write II here, was In the act
of turning towards his smal house
with the prospect of O 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 beer answered. And, further
more, he realized but too we'll that the
gentleman, reasonably well to do,
mounted on his sleek, substantial
horse, showed unmistakable signs OF
an intention to cross the Hudson Now
this being neither agreeable nor yet
amusing to the ferryman, he became
on the instant filed 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 none other than Mr.. Argyle
Bartlett. Mr.. Bartlett was evidently
from Boston, for there was that about
him which told of the New Englander;'
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 scrupulously clean, was of a
, somewhat dlltltll Idtltl H., mat SuS
gested that Mr.. Bartlett might posi-
bly, have come from a town somewhat
nearer the baCkwoods than Boston.
Mr.. Bartlett appeared to be, in other
words, nothing more nor less than Il
merchant of New England, who, having
set aside some profits from his bust
ness year by year, seemed now wan
Gered somewhat far from his household
gods and in no very fortunate season.
And. though the ferryman did not
know him from Father Adam, or from
me, for that matter, he realized that
he must row him across. AS the tray
eler approached, the ferryman per-
Ceived hat he had pistols in his saddle
holster and that he wore a sword. That
again went to show that Mr.. Argyle
Bartlett was as shrewd as he was
scrupulously clean, thereby exhibiting
two qualities that marked him as a
New Highlander. I'm such times" he
had evidently said to himself, 'in such
times it is wise to go prepared for any
thing" Consequently he went armed.
Continued Next Week,)