Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-10-14
Big Loon
Post
By George Van Schaik.)

thought help might turn out to h.
hlndrance. There was somethin0
IN the old mans clear blue ewes thai
disconnected him; they seemed f.,
penetrate into his soul and see
things that must at all costs remain
concealed.
The two We're eating silently, for
men OF the wilderness grow chary of
conversation from mere lack of prac-
t1ce. The priest enjoyed his food
quietly, While Curran sometimes for
got TO eat, so worrying were his
thoughts. He seemed to be travel
ing on road that was constantly
filled with distractions.
The repast was soon over. Father
Gregoire arose, giving thanks. and
went out among the tents. An In
dian child directed hin to that of
Nimissuts.
Peace be with you all" he said to
the chiefs wife, who met him at the
entrance. "May I come in ?"
He was made welcome, for all the
Indians loved him, even those he had
not yet been able to gather entirely
to his fold. They knew him to be a
good man, always eager to help and
succor, knowing a little of medicine,
and ever ready to give advice.
AmeOu had been sitting in the
tent, but she arose when the priest
entered.
II thank thee for comnig," she
said. Indeed, | am happy for the
prayers thou are going to say. It
seems to me that thy voice will be
hardened to and that good may
come. Sit here, good father, on this
caribou skim
Nimissuts greeted him, and the
young children kept very still, look
ing at the long, white beard with
much interest. 1t always was
sight that puzzled them.
1t took but few questions to show
the priest that the thought of a sec
ond marriage was abhorrent to the
young woman. When he mentioned
it she bent her head hopelessly, as il
she thought him also in league with
the powers that were treating her so
harshly.
''The man Curran wants to marry
me-" she finally said. eff my child
were alive / might be willing, be-
cause it might have helped my little
one to become man like his father
But now there is only the thought of
Nimissuts, my father, and his wife,
with the little ones. | must do it if
nv father insists, but | have it in
mind that death would be better
thing for me-"
After supper that evening, Fa-
Their Gregoire went again to see
Ameou. The interior of the tent was
dark, for night was falling fast
The young woman was sobbing
bitterly, and the old man took one of
her hands.
"I wish now to hear all that has
happened" said Father Gregoire. Il
want to know everything, that I may
the better advise thee. AS to thy
marrying Curran unless the wish to
do so is in thy heart it would be a
shameful thing"
The words came very slow at first.
Ameou's heart was near to breaking
when she spoke of her hopes of the
homecoming of her man, and when
she told of the joy that had been
hers at the birth of little Yellow
Hair. Then she related the news of
the awful disaster in the White Rap
ids, and of the disappearance of the
child and her vain quest.
ooh. fatherw she cried. "Thou
are the Manitou limo of the white
people, and the words thou speakest
to thy Manitou are answered some
times-thou hast said Speak to
Him now, and ask Him to relieve my
pain and be good to the spirit OF
Yellow Hair, my husband and give
me back my little one if he still be
livingw
She knelt imploringly before. him.
Then the others, also, knelt IN 81
lence. Nimissuts listened, profound
iv impressed, and the wife and chill
dren watched in wonder. -,
The priests voice rose in rapid ut
terance of prayers for the dead ana
in slower words of consolation Ior
+he living. After these came more
broken, hating sentences, In when
the missionary implored mercy Tor
tbe moor broken reed at his feet and
hnnoblv begged divine compassion
whereby her awful burden might De
1ightened.
The priests spoken prayers. were
ended. vet his hands were till joined
together and his lips moved.
Then. outside the tent, and very
near the subdued cry OF walllng
infant was heard.
The flap of the tent was opened
and GREAT pair of shoulders sur
raonnted by deeply inset head pc
came darkly limnedc agalnSs.t ST.. ene il0
mo GLOW of the soft moonlight
rbe man entered, bearing some
thing in his arms.
"Here is thy little man-ch1ld tnat
,,,os lost" he said. 81 have oroughC
-. - +baa with a message.
Rnf Ameou had not listened. mere
come from her a wild cry, stagger5
mo effort to rise to her 1eet anu
grasp her treasure.
IT, hood hent over the precious
thing whose tiny race was so III IF IA
cred with its mothers tears. Inc ~
lie head was pressed TO tIle oos'o -
that lad suffered such agony an ~
the heart that had been SO oVeroui-
Mashkaugan kept silent, and SO
did all the others. Ihey WIZ
amazed at the swift answer TO 1he
,11issionarv's beseeching words. -.
Finally Ameou looked up WITH q
wonderful deep sigh of happy rened d
"Didst thou speak OF message
Mashkaugan ?" she asked.
"Tbe message is that one is very
III ~ whom thou are greatly con
-. He cries out thy name Iear-
;ny To die without beholdlng thee;; =
Ale ss.Tbere is no one in the, Worlo Ii
,rhonn | am concerned" she crlee,
Mnnw that my little Yellow ha1r 10
given back to me. !. oo+od
"Tbere is one, Ameou,' repeated
+be hunchback. His ups haSe