The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-08-29

--s 500 &HsAS" ootAS1 " L
and a basket or two Of vegetables, and
lthat was all. But the great misfortune
came when he was caught under one of
his own falling trees and crushed to the
earth. He was unconscious when they
found him, and weak from the loss Of
blood; but a few days in bed showed that
although his injuries were very severe,
they were not likely to prove fatal. Still,
1t would be many months before he could
do any more labor. 94.. .-r 80
There was only 14-year-old John noxT to
look after the outside work and provide
for the family needs. Mrs. HOLINESS was
almost an invalid, and the twins, Peggy
and joan, were not yet g.. The nearest
~neighbor was three miles away, and in
nearly as bad a plight as themselves.
There was nc store or trading post in the
vicinity, and even the occasional barter
with the Indians was cut off, for the. red
men were still smarting under the sense
of injury which they fancied the whites
had put Upon them, and several times had
already sent In runners with cminous
messages of arrows and snake skins
John HOLINESS was a pioneer boy, how
ever, and did not shrink from the pros
pect before him. He had gro.rn accus-s
TONED to hardships and difficulties. and
rather gloried In overcoming them. Every
day now, except when the storms were
unusually severe, he was in the woods
H. 81 kkSSS "a s@H 3 oiAASLA y hllu
several wild turkeys were added to the
stock of provisions, and then the ammuni-
ton gave out. 1
Jacob Holiness had intended to make a
late trip TO one of the northern trading
posts after powder and shot and salt, but
now John would have to undertake the
4 Tourney. Carefully boarded in the bottom
Of his strong box was a single gold coin,
sRll that was left Of the. sG1W which had
accompanied him across the sea. It
would not go far in provisions, but it
would buy a little powder and shot, and
perhaps some salt. The powder and shot
were absolute necessities, and the salt
they regarded as scarcely less so.
John was given the coin, with many adj
monitions regarding its safety and care
Il full expenditure. 1t would take three days
Cor him to go and return, but he had been
over the route with his father and had
little fear of being lost. After leaving the
valley he would strike the old Pequot
trail, and that would lead him almost to
his destination. s
twas a, Gear, crisp December day when
he set out. Icicles glistened on the trees,
and under foot the snow was packed firm
u and solid. But on the third day a fierce
storm set in from the northeast. In the
afternoon it grew bitterly cold. and Mrs.
Holiness began to make frequent trips to
the door. Night came early, but thesstor1n
81 SeGIneu$5IO fclSdSG Will sLllS AdIhIESS
The wind shrieked through the trees and
around the cabin, and fine, soft fingers OF
3 snow sifted through theaEsclosed shutters
and soil-paper windows. Mrs HOLINESS
&1piled more wood on.the fire, and the light
Hared up and danced into every part OF
" The little oom.s4&Itsrevealeds few Shelves
In of the opposite corners, and the
family dishes Of pewter n wood-it
81 made weird shadows of the spinning
III whSei and caused them to Wayer up anG
doWn the rough background of the cabir
[ wallis Some of 1t even flashed through
the openSdoor of the small inner room and
rested on the bed where Jacob HOLINESS
Iay,anxiously listening for the SQUAD u
his boys footsteps. SS45 &
Tut only the wind came roaring ane
4, shrieking abautsthe cabin and at last Thu
invalid grew weary and fell asleep. Tht
twins played before the fire until theil
eyes grew heavy and dull, and then the,
climbed np@the short ladder to their bet
In the loft.
Eu Mrs, Holdness could not sleep, He
a boyawas somewhere out iifrt heEEsstessa am
heSwas cold and hungry. She piled NOR
& wood on the IRE. and put water In the BIZ.
4 iron kettle I'd heat Then she reflled tn
III little soup kettle and hung itssn the cram
I sverE the fire There was corn bread LET
4 from supper, but John preferred 1t warm
.fzso shes1niSed more ugh and placed /
on the bread board, q set III hefare TIL
Gre 70 hnks s5