The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-18
A Trip to Kansas.
THE YOUNG CAPITAL OF A YOUNG STATE.
'Buzzng through the forests,
Rafting over bridges;
Bless me. this is pleasant

Yea verify and the writer VIII present l'
objection at any time to riding on a rail- pro
riding that the riding IS done in Pullman
palace car
As we glided away from Gaesburg in the
dusk of evening, the darkness had fallen 81
heavily that it was impossible to distinguish
passing objects, and all the scenery between
that CITY and Hannibal, Missouri, Is blank
in our memory. Without were the night and
the dim and ghostly forms Of the flying land
scape; but within the light reflected from rare
polished woods nestled in the depths OF the
luxurious crimson seats and lent richer glow
to the tasteful carpet beneath our feet. Our
miniature world on wheels flying swiftly from
state to state, grew bright with social cheeri
ness. Here traveller had buried himself in
the bissfu solitude of fascinating book,
there group OF gentlemen were discussing
eagerly and with keen interest the current
questions of the day. Over the way gentle
man had dropped politics, newspapers and
passengers to interview delicate lunch spread
in a captivating style that showed he was a
proficient in the work. How he obtained the
cup of fragrant tea he was slipping with such
evident relish puzzled US, for manifestly it did
not come either from dining car or station, and
the only solution of the magic was IN the in
nocent, though peculiar, tin which graced the
center of the table. Truth obliges us to con
TESS that our few lady travellers were neither
reading, talking nor eating, but were in fact
doing nothing but philoscphlcally enjoying
the ride.
When q woman lnvade3 mans sphere, do
ing something gracefully and to the satistac'
ton of everybody that is out of her line, she
creates a nine days wonder. When man
steps out of the masculine routine Of labor
into the womanly department, doing some
thing graceful and with universal approval,
nobody even stops to wonder. Why is 1t:
We asked ourselves this question as our por-
ter, with a magical touch changed the cosy
room in which we had been sitting into bed
chamber, shook out those repose-inviting mat
tresses with a dextrous hand, and then, with
-scrupulous nicely, tucked over the snow-white
sheets and drew the curtains Of our sleeping
chamber Everywhere else unchaRglng Gus
tom has given TO woman this office; in this
home upon wheels she has decreed that man
shall perform these kindly services Yet,
strange as it may seem, ne thought of the in
vaded privileges of our peculiar sphele dis
turb our dreams, nor was the pillow beneath
our heads less soft because masculine fingers
had placed it in its position.
Evening left US IN the lovely country around
Galesburg; morning found us on the knobs
of Missouri, and morning also explained to
us the enigma of that mysterious tin. When
our neighbor had finished his leisurely toilet
spread his white napkin on the table and set
thereon his simple but flrstclass breakfast, he
ended all by filling an exquisite china cup
with amber coffee. Like second inquisi,ive
Eve, we determined to find out how that coffee
was made. Straightway marching over to the
gentleman, we confessed that we had a weak
ness tor that beverage and would fain know
how to prepare it, Very pleasantly our new
acquaintance assured us that he would be hap
py TO explain his coffee pot to u.s. And we
were astounded to find that red.ribbOn woman
might, without breaking her pledge or doing
violence to her conscience, use small quantity
of alcohol three times day. 1t is probably
better, however, to explain, since our reputa-
ton AS temperance advocate might suffer,
that the alcohol does not reach the mouth at
all, but is poured into cavity Of the pot
where it forms the expert agent of setting your
coffee to boiling in short order. Mr.. B. said
that this little article, the gift of friend,
made delicious coffee, and was of great service
to him in his frequent journeys. AS we re.
sumed our seat we inwardly resolved that the
next time we took an extended journey Jones's
Alcoholic Coffee Pot should accompany us.
Our swift flight over Missouri impressed
one thought forcibly on the tablet OF our memo.
ry, namely, that while the country varied
through many degrees Of bad, Indifferent and
very good, the farmers as rule were ut least
half century behind their brothers in Illinois
in outside evidence of thrift and industry.
At haltpast nine we had reached Kansas
City and hidden our sleeping car, with Its
pleasant occupants and officers, farewell. Ger.
talnly that official with the sable face and
knky hair understood his business thorough
ly, and in his humble position as porter proved
himself to be most considerable and thought
full gentleman
Eleven, twelve and one found us still rush.
ing up the splendid valley of the Kansas,
studying with deep interest its tall corn and
green, Iuxuriant wheat; but at two we were
steamlng side by side with a Santa Fee train
into Topeka, For moment the result of the
race seemed doubtful, and then with lament
able lack Of energy our tram falling behind,
The victor slowly rolled up to the depot.