Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-31

you take your wife at once to Dan
Turner's cabin; it is only about mile
of down the road bit. You had bet
Ter lose no time, or their one spare
room will be secured by other travel
ers. Dan and his wife are rather
rpugh-looking customers, but you tell
Patty l sent you, and she'll do the best
she can for you. She used to work for
my wife before she married Dan, and
think she's good-hearted soul. Dan
himself-well, Dams no favorite of
mine; but, ten chances TO one, he's
gone to the fair himself II l could
give you even a lounge, would be
only too happy to do so, but l have
only bare floors to offer, and i think
this lady ought to rest comfortably on
bed tonight"
After some further discussion, this
plan was agreed upon as the most
feasible which presented itself. and we
were about to start, when Mr.. Rice
said:
Perhaps it would be best to leave
any valuables you may have with you
here at my house. have lock-room.
made for the purpose, in my cellar, or,
if you prefer it, your friends can take
care of them until morning Tor you. l
think it very likely Dan will have other
company before midnight, and it's just
as well to let them know you're empty
handed
We thanked him, and handed oyer
our wallet containing our supply of
ready money; and my husband thought
it best to leave his watch behind also.
The chain was very massive. and would
be likely to attract attention. We
would not be without timepiece either,
for my watch was simply attached to
black guard which | wore around my
neck, so kept it with me. We then
exchanged good-nights, and my hus-
band gathered up the reins to 90.
IL suppose there is no difficulty
about finding the way?'' he said to Mr..
Rice.
..You couldn't miss the cabin; it is
right down the road-the first house
you come to-"
Fifteen minutes drive brought us
there. A woman was standing in the
doorway as we approached.
''Can you give us bed tonight,
MADAME asked my husband, politely.
MIR. Rice is too full to take us in, and
he sent us here thinking perhaps you
might have a spare bed"
She stared in silence for the space of
half minute or so, and when at last she
deigned to speak. it was to ask some
question about, 'Who all was stoppin'
at Mr. Rice's?''
"rll tell you all about it after l get
in" replied he. not very truthfully; Il
have been driving all day, and I'm very
tired"
..Ben ridin' all day! Yer don't say?
You mus be tide sho huff. Li-i-ght
down, bofe on yer. l reckin we kin
make out to let yer stay fur one might.
Thar haint no flour bread in the house
though; mos'er strangers is almighty
keen for flour bread"
But by this time We were both inside
the cabin; for a man had appeared dur
ing the conversation, and to him we en-
trusted the care of our horses. 1t was
a smoke dried place, evidently kitchen,
dining and bedroom all in one. The
supper was cooking at the open fire.
place; the table was ready laid, and a
couple of bedsteads stood side by side
against the background of patch
work quilt which WAS pinned with
clothes-pins to rope stretched across
the ceiling. and which served to convert
the ground floor of the cabin into two
apartments.
space was left at one end large
enough to furnish means of ingress and
egress, and through this space was
presently conducted that might wash
my face and hands.
Supper was ready almost Immediate
", and was glad to find no other Wis
itors. The hostess talked necessarily
to my husband; the three wild, gypsy
looking children stared with all the con-
centrated power of their three pairs of