The Republican journal., 1881-11-03
Bachelors Hall.

"NO rest for the wicked, Ned,' said
Charley Warner to his friend and fellow
adventurer. '"The hotel is full, the board
ing-houses are packed why, they stow
away thirteen in bed, down at Burns,
that rickety- looking frame house you see
yonder."
"Thirteen why, that's too thick to
thrive. say, Charley, didn't you draw
on your imagination for at least ten of
those sleepers?"
"Not bit of it; they are all bona fdc
flesh and blood, young men seeking their
fortunes in the great west, and bent on
making Kansas a free State, suppose :;
but mind ye, didn't say bedstead, that
happens to the tloor.'
"Well for one am not fond of ANAL
gamation. Haven't we got a tent slowed
away somewhere that we intended to go
buffalo hunting with Z"
'To be sure We have; bright idea
Let us stretch it on the wide prairie and
set up house keeping for ourselves
"Agreed Can you cook ?"
"Of course can: why, there's nothing
easier to learn than the culinary art
Well fish and Wen hunt, and our table
shall be supplied with the most choice ar
tcles of food with which the country
abOundS."
And thus Bachelors Hall was founded
in the days when ladies were ''ftw and
far between" mere OaSes in the great
desert of masculinty.
AS for mankind, they were to be found
of every type and of every class-young,
middle-aged, old, single, married, widow
cred, and divorced; plain, good looking,
handsome, and homely spectators. Of
fee seekers, fanatics, hard workers and
fun lovers, to which latter class our
friends Ned and Charley belonged, Il
class exceedingly agreeable to the ladies'
They varied the monotony OF life by pic
mics, horseback rides, buffalo hunts in
which we were allowed to participate
during summer, and sleigh rides, dancing
parties, etc, in winter, very much after
the manner of ''the civilized world"
The population of Bachelors Hall, not
withstanding Ned's dislike to ''close quar-
ters," soon increased to seven. "The poor
fellows begged so hard for habitation
and a home, that we We're obliged to give
them shelter from the cruel blast" said
the proprietors But alas. one night,
upon the devoted tent, and scattered the
seven bachelors, with all their different
varieties Of luggage and household fur
niture, in seven different directions. In
dismayed, however, they picked them
selves up, and finding they were only
frightened and not bit hurt, resolved
to erect on the ever memorable spot,
more enduring tenement, which they did
and of its dedication we have somewhat
to say.
Now as | have before stated that
young ladies were scarce, it will not be
wondered at when | also state that the
seven bachelors We're also desperately in
love with one and the same, Minnie Ray,
10y name, and a trohcsome, mirth loving,
beautiful blackeyed sprite by nature,
who was so good in kcepinga secret, that
if she preferred one above another, not
even the closest observer could perceive
a difference in the treatment they re-
ceived.
There were first, Ned Hale and Charley
Warner, both tlrst-rate fellows, young
lawyers, with the law loving world before
them to make their fortunes in; Courcy
Gordon, a dark-haired, naughty south
erncr, the very opposite of lean lank,
light haired Abel North, a Yankee, with
great many sms in his head, among
which was firm belief in the toreordina-
ton of true marriages. He rested con
tentedly in the thought that Minnie was
his affinity, and could not fail to perceive
it if he gave her sufficient opportunity to
study his character. So he visited her
frequently, and always came away in &
self-satistied mood. Then there was
stephen Marks, and he was very conf
dent also, resting his claims on a golden
foundation besides, he had a splendid
buggy, something unusual in those days,
most of the riding being done on horse
back, or in large wagons, the latter being
frequently drawn by hOraed stecds, other
wise known as oxen. And Stephen would
ask Miss Minnie to ride, and she would
smilmgly consent, unless prevented by
some previous engagement. He felt SO
sure of her that he looked with supreme
contempt on the pretensions of the 9th
ers, scarcely deigning to consider them as
rivals. There was James Lee, also of the
legal profession, and a representative of
the old Bay State; with him | was not
then much acquainted, us it was only
Minnie Ray who could charm HIM away
from his books. wondered that he fan
cied her; suppose on the score of loving
his opposite, for opposite she was in
looks, habits, tastes, and disposition. He
was fair; she dark, rosy checked bru-
nette. He was studious, fond of quiet
and home. She gay rowing, and fond Of
sports of all kinds, full of mischief, dis
", Ia ho DO
dearest friends, was undemonstrativc in
Affection governed always by principle,
ambitious, persevering and decided. She,
impulsive, enthusiastic, good natured,
and yet with will of her own capable Of
asserting its rights if once aroused Last
ly, and hardly worth mentioning, was
Thomas Jenkins, a conceited little puppy,
with neither character, good looks, nor
wealth to recommend him. And these
were all on Minnie's list of lovers when
the tent capsized And they failed not
in gallantry, even during the erection Of
the new building the progress of which
was eagerly watched by the ladies, who
determined to dedicate it, At length it
was finished, and the proprietors snugly
ensconced, seated around huge fire, for
by this time the north wind began to blow
chill, when rap, rap, sounded on the door.
"Come in" sang out voice, and in we
went, about twenty ladies with the same
number of gentlemen in the rear, armed
and equipped with huge baskets.
What welcome we had after the first
shock Of surprise was over, and what
agreeable hosts they proved themselves
to be. AS soon as the ladies' hoods, nu-
bias, shawls, and furs were disposed of,
they proceeded to take down the bed
steads, which had just been put up, which
left us nice place to dance, for the room
was large one, with smooth, uncar-
peted floor. The violinists then took
their places, and light feet kept time to
merry music for a while; then the con-
tents Of the baskets were investigated
and proved to be materials for an elegant