Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-12-01
LAUREL SPRING.


we're diamonds flashing there We're price
hess silks cleaning and trailing along a
polished floor, there were lights and
perfume and Dinsic, and n splendid
company, sIsiling and graceful and gra-
cious, were koing through the figures
OF auadrille Others were promenade
ing; Others were chatting in gay groups.
Just past the window where ! stood, a
pair Of these radiant creatures swept at
this moment, the lady coquetting with
her jeweled fan. could have put forth
my hand and touched her rs she passed
so near and vet so far apart from me-.
A stated, picture, set in costly frame,
having nothing in common with such
everyday, toii-worn folks rs the rustics
who stood looking ON from without, and
among whom Jacob and /, lnred by the
lights and music, had stolen up.
II was the piazza OF the grand hotel
AT Laurel Spring, and grand ball was in
progress. Al, how beautiful it all was!
II seemed ike Il kaleidoscope of jewels,
flashing, changing, alluring, as ! stood
there at the window looking through.
How should look in just such silk?
how would Jacob appear in just such a
white vest and elegant dress suit, |
looked up at jacob. He was a tall,
brawny follow, was jacob. and he was
my husband, and | had got so used to
seeing him in that blue shirt working a
field that could not tit him in the fash
ionable rig to my satisfaction.
But said, ecstatically, " Don't they
look beautiful, Jacob?''
But Jacob answered never a word.
He stood there at my side, looking ca
absorbed
Again the Music sounded, and the
splendid movement ON the floor kept
time to it. II SO wrought upon me that
in spite of my Quaker bringing up,
felt my heart beating quick, and my feet
putting themselves in motion.
..0h, iSaf it beautiful, ~ said again,
elasping my hands by way of steadying
myself
"It's grand play" said Jacob,
grullly, ''and | suppose we've got
right to applaud ii if we like
"Ah, but fake, jealous old Jake,
why doa't you own up that it's beauti-
ful2"
/" Pshaw " said Jacob, impatiently:
/" see nothing beautiful about it. It's
all commercial aflair-the whole
thing bought and paid for. These
shoddy shop-keepers, and oflice-hold-
ers, and oil-diggers, and Heaven knows
what all, send their women-folks here to
keep trade going-for nothing else I'M
der the sun but 10 bargain and haggle
and ogle for places and power and
money"
'Then it's business, - said |, admir-
ingly; for | was determined to lure
Jacob out Of his moodiness. swell,
never have seen business look so fair
and desirable, ,Iake-unless,' added,
laughing, "when I've caught glimpse
of you working afield in your old straw
hat
"Ah, that's different stcry-a diff
ferent story indeed" was the grave re-
ply " Thai'S business of another sort,
Matte; grinding hard work, and too
much of il. And this summer, con-
found IL failure at the end of il all. All, |
Matte, You don't know what a load I've |
carried under that old straw hat,'
All, but | did. Many time had I |
looked from the quiet doorway and seen
Jacob working atield with a shadow on
his face that WAS not made by the brim
Of that old straw hat.
He was revolving bitter things now, /
knew, as he stood there spectator of /
the rereiry. II
Little Matte" said he, presently,
''yeu'ye as good right TO be there as
the hes; Of them. my wee woman
| laughed. ! did not want to be there,
and had 10 desire TO represent COM
merciai interests. But Jacob was grasp
ing my arm with an almost painful grip.
By heayensi" he said. his gray eve
lighting up with strange fire, II
thought So There's Stephen Risdale