The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-05-02
NELLY OF THE
SLUICE GATE

OAOxNA OAxE
Talbot" said Lord Richard Jocelyn
to his servant as he put away his
solitaire board, "do you know I have
come to the conclusion that I have
made an ass of myself?"
Yes, sir" Talbot answered respect
fully. when, sir?"
"All the time I've been in New
York." Lord Jocelyn answered. Here
I've been wasting my opportunities,
falling into love and falling out again,
and, in general, living the life of q
loafer and al idler. Talbot, I'm sick of
myself. / want to go somewhere
where I can forget myself for awhile
and see new people,"
which I would recommend, sir,
that you try the Hadirondacks," said
Talbot. "They was recommended by
q friend of mine"
Il don't want medicine, Talbot"
Begging your pardon, sir, that
hain't what you might call medicine
hexactly, sir; they're a place up north
where the rich folks goes for uniting"
1.-The very thing I need" Lord Joce-
Ign answered. Find out where they
are and buy me a ticket, Talbot"
"Per'aps you might like to look in
the hatlas, SIR" said his servant.
(Which there is one in some of those
railway folders I bought, sir, when you
was going to Craig's Peak"
go and get it, Talbot" said his
master.
The servant disappeared and pres
emily came back bringing a number Of
folders, and after searching among
them for some minutes, he found and
opened an imposing map Of New York
state. Lord Jocelyn took it and placed
1t upon his reading table, scrutinizing
it carefully.
Il had no idea that New York state
was such a big place, Talbot" he said.
ut must be as large as Middlesex."
eyes, sir; hindeed it must"
"Now, here's a beautiful little lake
Moose lake. There ought to be some
fishing there. l like the shape Of this
lake, Talbot. I'll take a ticket to it."
That was how Jocelyn went to
Moose Lake alone. After a night in
q sleeping car he awoke one morning
to find his car detached upon the sid
ing Of a tiny station in the heart Of a
primitive wilderness. He gathered his
baggage together and descended to the
platform, where he looked around in
voin for onv fro14 ~ n 1onJoxor1o
You're for the sluice gate, mister?"
asked the station agent, coming out
of his house and regarding Jocelyn
c%uriously.
Nov you mention it, 1 believe I
am" said Jocelyn. what sort of
accommodation do they furnish there?"
The station agent grinned. y guess
Bill Farland can fix you for a few
days." he answered. But if you amt
written him you'll be apt to find only
trappers' fare. That girl of his can
cook, though"
HE has a good servant, eh?" asked
Jocelyn.
Servant" repeated the station
agent, laughing and Shaping his leg.
mot much of it. Nelly's his daugh-
ter, and a fine girl. They'll 20 the right
thing by you, mister, and you'll find
Joe Porter the best guide in Oneida
county,"
who's Joe Porter"
"Joe's his hand. 1t takes two men
to manage that sluice now they're
drawing off the Moose lake water to
store behind the dam down the valley.
Take that road, mister, for six miles
straight IS you can hike, and you'll
see the sluice right before you"
Jocelyn looked down at his baggage.
II reckon I can send them on by
nightfall," said the agent. "My carts
out this morning taking stone to the
dam. It'll be back by noon and I'll
send your grips right over"
The journey was a pleasant one and
Jocelyn, breathing in the fresh air,
tinged with the odors Of fir and bal
sam, felt like one transformed. AS he
strobe on, whistling from sheer happi.
ness at the transition from his sitting
apartment on Madison avenue, he men
tally resolved that, whatever fortune
might have in store for him, never
again would he prove susceptible to
feminine wiles. Here in these profound
solitudes he would attune himself to
a new mood. Life should be more
than ~philandering for him %thencefor-
ward.
The sun was still low in the eastern
sky when he reached the sluice gate.
Bill Farland's cabin stood perched
upon a small knoll almost overhanging
the lake, which now roared through
the opened gate and plunged down
into the valley beneath.
The guardian of the gates came for
ward, seeing a stranger, and when
Jocelyn explained the purpose Of his
visit, greeted him warmly.
Come up for the fishing" he asked,
grasping his hand. Sure, l guess we
can fix you up all right. I'd guide you
myself, but I've been feeling kind of
out Of sorts the last few days-guess
it's q touch of fever. But Joe knows
where the trout lays, and he's the best
guide in these parts. Come inside,