The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-11-21
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at different times by the Americans. with
a view to mis- arrest. but never with sue
| cess. The father of Harvey had been
| greatly molested in consequence of the
| suspicious character of the son. But,
notwithstanding the most minute scrutiny
into the conduct of the old man, no fact
could be substantiated against him to his
injury. Age and sorrow were now about
to spare him further moleStation, for the
lamp of life had been drained of its oil.
The confusion of the day helped to hasten
the event he would fain arrest for a little
while. AS night set in. his illness in
creased to such degree that the dis
mayed housekeeper sent a truant boy, who
had shut up himself with them during
the combat, to the Locusts. in quest of a
companion to cheer her solitude. Caesar,
alone, could be spared and, loaded with
eatnbles and cordials by the kind d-hearted
Miss Peyton, the black had been dispatch
ed on this duty. The dying man was
past the use of medicines, and his chief
anxiety seemed to center in meeting
with his child.
rs he alive?" asked B:rrh. tremulous-
ly, as he entered the house, and seeming
| ly afraid to receive the answer.
Surely" said Katy, rising hastily, "he
must live till day, or till the tide is down."
| Disregardng all but The fact that his
father still lived. the pcdder stole gently
into the room of his dying parent. The
tie which bound the father and son was
of no ordinary kind. In the wide world
they were all to each other. At one blow
competence and kindred had been swept
from them, and from that day to the
present hour, persecution and distress
had followed their wandering steps. Ap-
proach!ng the bedside, Harvey leaned his
| body forward, and, in a voice nearly cho'S
ed by his feelings, he whispered near the
ear Of the sick:
"Fathpr, do You know mn?"
The parent slowly opened his eyes, and
a smile OF satisfaction passed over his
pallid features, leaving behind it the i'm
preston of death, more awful by the con
trast. The pcddler applied a res. .orativc
to the parched lips OF the sick man and
for few minutes new viSor seemed in
parted to his frame. lie spoke, but slow
ly, and with difficulty.
MY son. said the father. in a hollow
voice, God is sS merciful as he is just
if l threw the cup OF salvation from my
lips when youth, he 'graCiously offers 1t
to me in mine age. He has chaStised 10
purify and 20 TO join the spirits of our
lost family. Ia n little while, my child.
you will be alone l. know you too well
not to foresee you will be a pilgriTN
through life. The bruised reed may en-
dure. but it will never rise. Iou have
that within you, Harvey, that will guide
you Alright; perscyere. as you have begun,
for the duties Of life arc never to be neg
lectcd-aud A noise IN the adjoining
room interrupted the dying man, and the
impatient peddlcr FASTENED to learn the
cause, followed by Katy and the black.
The first glance of his eye Oh the figure
in the doorway told the trader but too
well his crrand. and the fate that probably
awaited himself Tho intruder was q man
still young in years. but his linoamcnts
bespoke Il mind long agtatcd by evil
passions. His dress was Of the mcancst
materials, and so ragged and unscemly
as to give him the appearance of studied
poverty. His hair was prematurPly whit
ened. and his sunkcn, lowering eye avoid
ed the bold, forward look OF innocence.
This man was a well-knOWn leader Of one
of those gangs of marauders who inrcSt-
ed the county with a SCmbanCe of pat
rOtiSm. and who were guilty of every
grade of oifpnsc. from simple theft up to
murder. Behind him stood several other
figures clad in similar manner, but
whose countonancrS expressed nothing
more than the Indifference of brutal in
scns.bility. They were all we'll armed.
l,,c to hl in in, l.,
the twinkIing of an eye both he and
Caesar were stripped of their decent gar
mcnts, and made to exchange clothes with
two Of the filthieSt of the band. They
were then placed in separate corners of
the room, and, under the muzzles of the
muskets. required faithfully to answer
such interrogatories as were put to them.
"Where is your pack" was the first
question to the peddcr.
Hear me-" said Birch, trembling with
agitation lin the next room is my father,
now in the agonies of death; let me 90 TO
him, receive his blessing. and close his
eyes. and you shall have all-all, all"
Answer me as | put the question. or
this musket shall send you to keep the
old driveller company; where is your
pack"
Birch told, and a man was dispatched
in quest of the booty he soon returned,
throwing the bundle on the floor, swear
ing it was as light as feathers.
"Ay," cried the leader. there must be
! gold somewhere. Give us your gold, Mr.
Birch; we know you have it; you will
not take continental nc. you"
I "You break your faith" said Harvey
Give us your gold" exclaimed the 9th,
, er. furiously, pricking the peddler with
his bayonet until the blood followed his
, pushes in streams. At this instant a
slight movement was heard in the adjoin
/ ing room, and Harvey cried, imploringly
LET me-let me go to my father, and
/ you shall have ALL"
81 swear you shall 60 them" said tn.