The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-08-10

the verandas smoking. some one
crowded between the chairs and
leaned over his knee with merry
chuckle. It was the little girl of the
train.
Got that peanut-brittle yet?" she
asked.
Gracious. no! l didn't think I'd
ever meet you again. and haven't
seen any candy stores around here"
"Oh. but they have 1t. There's .
place back Of the hotel called the grot-
to. I found it the first thing this
morning. Lots Of peanut-trittle there.
Just made yesterday"
Then come right along and you
shall have your pound"
Yes, but let me whisper to you
first. They charge double price. Will
that make any difference to you?"
She was told with a laugh that it
wouldn't, and hand in hand they
tripped away. AS child wise beyond
her years she asked no impertinent
questions; as gentleman, Throop
asked none. Her mother, and perhaps
her father as we'll, We're staying at the
same hotel.
The next day 1t was not peanut-brit-
tie, but long walk. The next day 1t
was some more of the sweet stuff and
a visit" on the veranda On the next,
as the child had not appeared up to
mfd-afternoon, the lonesome man went
wandering over the grounds in search
of her. He was told by one of the
caretakers of the grounds that she had
taken certain path an hour before.
but she could come to no harm.
The man followed the path for al.
most half a mile up the mountain, and
then he got sight of the child. She
had scrambled up the rugged face of
a cliff thirty feet high, and stood COW.
ering there. He saw at once that she
was in fear, and he called out to her
to stand still until he reached her side.
In two minutes Of climbing he was
within ten feet of her. Then she said
in a voice that quavered Just trife:
Lonesome Man, 1t isn't that I'm
afraid to come down, but there's big
snake here!"
What kind Of snake?"
Il don't know, but every time I
move he goes buz-z-z.z with his tally"
! Then don't move-on your life
don't move. l will come up another
way"
And scrambling down, he made his
.,escalade at point fifty feet away, and
in few minutes was above the girl.
Within three feet of her. and coiled to
strike and keeping up constant rat.
,tling. was deadly snake. When the
man recognized the species his heart
came into his throat and choked him
for moment. Then he called in q
voice hardly above whisper:
) Don't move, and don't try to answer
,me! Keep just as still as you possibly
ican. There's lady down below beck.
Sning to you, but never mind her. I'm
going to drop big stone on the snake.
| :DoL.t be scared, dearie, now it's com.
| fng!"
The stone hit the serpent fairly and
crushed out its life in second. Half
3 minute later Throop was down be.
side the child. She was swaying and
tottering as his hands reached out.
She was unconscious as he reached
the path with her to find lady hold.
ing out her arms in mute appeal, but
unable to utter sound. She had
somehow understood the peril of the
child.
Toni"
"Gracie!"
He laid down the burden and stepped
back and looked at the woman.
Observation-Disclosures were all wrong
to go away" she sobbed
That's our Oracle, named after me.
She was only year ODD when you
you"
And he opened his arms and she
sobbed on his breast. They were still
clinging to each other when they
heard voice saying:
Men do cry sometimes-so there!
And, mamma, If you and the Lone
some Man will only get married can
have heaps of peanut-brittle every day
Jas long as live!"