Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1895 — THE BLIZZARD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE BLIZZARD.

IT was Christ eve, and the wind blew keen - - ~ Across the prairies that lie between Fort Dodge, on the Arkuusaw, Under the hill. / ~ ".. ’ 4nd the straggling hamlet of Purdyville,: Where dwelt -Niles- Nelson, who rode-that day- : ~ - From his home to the northward, far away. Over the bunch grass, bare and brown. Into the bustlings frontier town. The night was dark—not a star on high— And a blizzard brewing up therfe in the sky. Niles Nelson stepped out into the street; The. wind was driving a blinding sheet Of powdery snow right Into his <ace. But Niles was happy; he left the place With a glow In his heart; for little Moll, His baby daughter, would get her doll, The Christmas gift he had promised long. Niles Nelson, trolling a Christmas song, And facing the north wind, sturdily rode, While past him the Storm Fiend's coursers strode. _ ■ ■ v' •• The snow grows deeper, the night more wild, When he hear? tho wall of a little child,

Lost on the prairie and doomed to die if heaven prove deaf to Its fcebtocry-.-. lie leaps from his noiiy.he~S'eafcEesrongtHe feels it; he has It within his strong. Rough hands; he presses-It to'hls breast — A place of shelter, a place of rest. ••Don’t cry, little honey, you'll catch more cold.” And he wrapped the child In many a fold 3f bls blanket coarse, and he hugged It tight l’o his big, broad breast, but blizzard's L flight ' ' Still strove to wither its tender life. He mpunted his pony, and then the strife With the woliish wind, and the' blinding snow,. And the z bitlng cold (that the plainsmen know When the Storm Fiend flies) began once more, And under bls breath Niles Nelson swore. Then a sllenCfe fell In the tumult wild. And he liejird the voice of the little child: “Now-'I Itfy me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep;.—«

a If J should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Nl’cs Nelsoi: paused, at the sound dismayed, Aud then and. Ilicu'Xnos Nelsim priiyed; ‘• I .ord save. ” wasall h o con id tltink of then. “Lord sg-ve,”—he- muttered; —“Lord save, anien •> Then staring to - northward, and Into the" night, “I see it"’ he shouted, “Thank God, a llghtdb 'Twas a beam from a lamp on the window . sill i Of his own sed cabin. With right good will His pony quickened Its lagging pace. And soon In that dear, fpmillar place, His cosy cabin, Niles welson-stands; He kisses his wife and he holds her hands. “Where's MollieJje cries; “where’s little Poll? I've brought her a wonderful; Christmas doll.'” Then he points to the bed where the blanket lies In a queer little bundle: “That's my surprise. Why don’t you answer? You're deadly pale; You tremble and shiver, you sob and wall. i Answer! Where's Mollie?” t'Oh, Niles,” she said, "■, > : . L

‘• My God.ho wcanl? Oh, Nll es.slie's dea d. ’’ ‘‘Dead?” “Yes, Niles, she's lost in the ~ snow; — To-day was pleasant,amTMollte woukl-gw-On the prairie to play, and she didn't come back. When the night shut down, all stormy and black, I set the lamp on the window sill, Rushed inti? the storm and sOught her until The blizzard drifted me back to the door, That shall open for Mollie, our Mollie, no more.” Niles N,elson stood like a statue of stone; Then he raised his hand arid said, with a groan: “Is t&ete a God that will kill a child And bring its father across the wild Of wintry, plains to save fife in death The child of ano|ther?” He drew his breath With a savage nlss, as he snatched away The blanket in which the baby lay. The blue eyes open; the rose lips call: “Oh, papa, you’re home! Now I want my i.j. doll.”