The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-05-10
NELLY OF THE
SLUICE GATE


s,ritoire board, do you know ! have
co,.e 10 the conclusion that have
made an ass OF myself?"
Yes. sir" Talbot answered respect.
,rrIy. When, sir?'
AN the time I've been In New
work." Lord Jocelyn answered. Here
r,o hecn wasting my opportunities,
calling into love and falling out again,
and IN general. living the life of n
loafor and an idler. Talbot. I'm sick OF
myself. want 10 go somewhere
yr.rc can forget myself for awhile
and see new people"
(Which would recommend. sir,
that YOU try the Hadlrondacks," said
Talbot They was recommended by
q friend Of mine"
Il don't want medicine, Talbot"
Begging your pardon, sir, that
ba,gt what you might call medicine
hryactly. sir: they're a place up north
whore the rich folks goes for uniting
Tho very thing need" Lord Joce-
lyp answered. Find out where they
ar. and buy me ticket. Talbot"
"pcr'aps you might like 10 look In
the latlas. sir" said his servant.
(Which there is one in some of those
railway folders bought. sir, when you
was going 10 Craig's Peak"
go and get IT, Talbot" said his
master.
The servant disappeared aud pres
emily came back bringing 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 il and placed
II upon his reading table, scrutinizing
il carefully.
Il had no idea that New York state
was such big place, Talbot" he said.
1T must be as large as Middlesex."
Yes. sir hlndeed II must"
NOW, here's a beautiful little lake
Moose lake There ought to be some
fishing there. like the shape Of this
lake. Talbot. I'll take ticket 10 IT,"
That was how Jocelyn went to
Moose Lake alone. After n night in
sleeping car he awoke one morning
10 find his car detached upon the sid
ing 81 n tiny station in the heart of a
Primitive wilderness. He gathered his
baggage together and descended TO the
Platform, where he looked around in
vain for any trace OF conveyance
You're for the sluice gate. mister?"
asked the station agent coming out
Of Lis house and regarding Jocelyn
curiously.
Now YOU mention II. ! believe |
am said Jocelyn. what sort OF
accommodation do they furnish there"
The station agent grinncd. Il guess
81. Farland can fix you for n few
days he answered. but II you ain I
written him you'll be apt to find only
uappcrs' fare. That girl Of his can
cook, though"
lie has good servant, eh?" asked
Jocolyn.
S'ryant?' repeated the station
agent, laughing and Shaping his leg.
Not much of II. Nelly's his daugh-
t'r, and fine girl. They'll 20 the right
,N'ng by you. mister, and you'll find
Joe Porter the best guide In Oneida
county"
Who's Joe Porter?"
Jocs his hand. II takes two men
10 manage that sluice now they're
craving OF the Moose lake water to
s'ore behind the dam down the valley.
axe that road, mister, for six miles
straight as you can hike, and you'll
S'e the slulce right before you"
Jocelyn looked down at his baggage.
! reckon l can send them on by
Sshttall," said the agent. my carts
OUT This morning taking stone to the
yam tn be back by noon and I'll
'ehd your grips right over"
me journey was a pleasant one end
'"ceIyn. breathing in the fresh air.
""s'd with the odors OF fir and hal
s'I'' ielt like one transformed. AS he
"'"ae on. whistling from sheer happi.
s' nj the transition from his sitting
"ra'lhent on Madison avenue. he men,
.u.y resolved that. whatever fortune
"I'bht have In store for him, never
IAN would he prove susceptible to
u'.niae wiles. Here In these profound
''''uues he would attune himself to
new mood. Life should be moro
man pkilandering for him thencefor-
ward.
me sun was still low ia the eastern
p W When he reached the slulce gate.
n fariand's cabin stood perched
I'm small knoll almost overhanging
ne lake. which now roared through
,n, Nv opened gate and plunged down
o the valley beneath.
mo guardian OF the gates came for
I Iara, seeing stranger, and when
v,"'sy explained tho purpose OF his
'' greeted him warmly.
come up for the fishing7" he asked.
asping his hand. Sure. guess we
MI. n INK You up all right. I'd guide you
.seif' but I've been feeling kind Of
90" 80. OF sorts tho last few days-guess
ws = touch Of fever. But Joe knows
.. u.re the trout lays. and he's the best
sisterna these parts. Come inside