Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-08-26
OUR DRESS SUIT.
Or. The First Grand Ball in Yosemite.

BY d. S.R
We were camped on the bank OF the
MERGED River, about mile above the
hotels in the Yosemite Valley. There
were four of us, Matthew, man from
Visalia, University student and the
writer. Matthew and we're travelling
companions. We had started alone from
the City of Oaks, had camped and cook
ed together, fought mosquitoes at Gray
son, swan the sloughs OF the San Joaquin
and sweltered in unison upon the great
alkali plains before reaching the cooling
Sierea. The man from Vlsalia and the
student had Joined us in the valley, and
together we dwelt in harmony in two
canvas tents beside the river and in front
of the great Yosemite fall.
All in all, we were very happy. Above
and below us on the river were campers
from San Jose, Stockton, and ether parts
of the State, and in every camp except
our own there was pretty girl. The
valley teemed with Hebes in boomers,
and iollier crew never walked the echoes
of that wild paradise. They iirted, rode
astride, raced about and tumbled about
ON the ground like kittens, and there was
no daredevil enterprise too spicy for
them. At night they would sometimes
invade our camp en- masSe, and the stu
dent was in his glory. He had guitar
and could sing, and he possessed facul-
~ of making love to four or five girls
at one time, which filled the man from
Visalia and the writer with envy.
For ten Gays our felicity was complete.
These weae in the goDd old times, when
but one wagon road led into Yosemite
Valley, and when white shirt was a
rarlty and Saratoga trunk sacrllege
Men went to Yosemite to get nd OF the
smoke and tie noise OF the city, and to
free themselves for season from the con-
ventionalltes or society. In huge boots
and blue shirts, unshaven and unshern,
they stood face to face with nature, and
went away better men for the interview.
These days We're coming to an end, how
ever. A new wagon road leading into
the valley was about to be opened, and
we were destined to witness the inauger-
alton Of new era. Fashion and dress
and the trivolities of conventional life
were to invade natures last stronghold
and take possession.
1t was thought, however, by the res
idents and pleasure seekers in the valley
that this was q fit subject over which to
rejoice, and day was fixed for a grand
turn out and celebration, to be crowned
in the evening by dance at one of the
hotels. Every one was invited to par
ticipate, and a fiutter of expectancy
reigned the various camps. We were the
only exceptions. On the evening before
the celebration we sat around the camp
fre-all four of us-silent and gloomy.
The river ran gayly by, and the last rays
OF the setting sun lit up the great tall
which hung like golden cloud against
the wall of rock above US. The voices OF
happy straglers could be hoard, laugh
ing and carol ng through the valley, anG
every thing seemed out of tune with oul
detected spirits. The student, who wa.
the saddest man OF the four, was the first
to break the silence.
"Well, boys" he remarked, Gin the
language of an eminent divine, what arr
you going to do about it?' The stag,
came in this afternoon loaded down witt
kid-gloved swells from San Francisco
and Sacramento, and new batch viii
probably try to make the ball tomorrow
night such heightened affair that man
without a white shirt and a calt-ski
gaiter will stand no chance
eff was Governor of California sale
Visalia, 81 would demolish every Wagon
road leading into the valley. l woult
make it penal offense for man to brins
Saratoga trunk, aad I would sentence
any man who should mention or wear o.
ever make any reference to white shir
while in this valley to eat Mats biscuit
for six months"
Mat, who was slicing side of bacon a
the table, quietly wiped his knife on the
leg of Visalia's pantaloons, but said moth
ing.
''Do the girls know our situation?'
asked.
mo, but they take it for granted tina
that we will be at the dance" answered.
the student. "They are all going, but
doubt not, from certain little asides
overheard to-day, that they arenearly a
deeply troubled about this subject @
dress as we are"
"a girl does not need any clothes,
blurted out Visalia, Tor at least ribbon
spray of fern, or something ofthat kInd
is all that is necessary to make her loo
charming; but look at US" and he glanc
ed around the circle. And, indeed, W
were a hard-look1ng set. Slouched hats
faces unshaved, and the dirt and dust Q
the road still adhering to us, we locke
like pirates. A familiar way that Ma
had OF wiping things off on us was ais
beginning to show its effects upon on
persons. The student had three distinC
Impressions of the bottom of the coffee
pot in the middle of his back, and l wa
literally painted. This was in conse
qnence of a grudge which Mat bore me
because / ventured at one time to remon
strate with him for attempting to clea
the frying pan on my trousers leg.
roar of laughter was the result of the mu
tuaiyinspection.
GSomething occurs to me- said tn
student, when we had once more resun
ed our gravity. 81 believe know whel
there is white Shirt
"Where?" came in an eager chorns.
1.-THE guide-that Dago who took /
up to Glacier Point yesterday-he tol
me that john Muir, the geologist, gay
him one last spring. He probably has
et."
!"Can you get it," we asked.
81 will try"
az think" said visalia, knitting h
brows and speaking very deliberatel
as ii trying to recall some issolated fal
from oblivion, 81 think I know whe
there is black coat"
Wa xvere all ATTENTION
II saw one" he continued, "down
Hutchinson's few days ago in the cook
room, hanging near the window; / b
lie7e can reach it if is still there"
"Maenifcentl' exclaimed the studen
in utter obtuseness to the real signll
canoe of Visalia's remark; ssall we wal
naY isra nice pair OF pants"
Before we went to sleep that night
was decided that on the following da
each man should start ON q foragin
trip, the results of which were to |
shared between us. To me was asaigne
the duty Of providing pair of pant