Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-08-25
Two Women at Front Doors.

Across the street from our house is a
new double brick block, with front door
steps exactly alike. Two families,
strangers to each other, lately moved
into these twin houses. and there began
rivalry between the "bettef half'' of
each family rs TO which of the two door
steps should be most Hastily decorated.
The landing on the left was first orna-
mented with gorgeous, many-colored
rug. The lady on the right flung def
ance with n bright-hued carpet that COW
cred the steps and reached to the side
walk. The rug Mt the left looked lone
some, and was reinforced by a low bam-
boo rocker strung with. many-colored
ribbons. The lady at the right came to
the door, saw the ribbon rocker, and
resolved to 90 it two better with a
couple of camp-stools. beautiful to look
upon, but unsatisfactory for sitting pur-
poses, If the sitter weighs more than a
fairy.
For brief moment the lady at the
left was staggered, but on recovering
her self-possession she rushed in and
dragged out one of those treacherous
hard-to-get-into and easy-to-get-out-of
arrangements called hammock. While
she was tacking this up on the porch, in
such way rs would break the first
mans back who tried to ride it, her rival
lowered around the scene, a picture of
apathetic despair. The poor little
guitar, minus one string. with which
she HAD vainly endeaYored to stem the
tide which was setting against her, was
plainly inadequate. At this iuncture
fate came to her aid. The discordant
cry of a ported flower vender sounded
like the rarest melody to her ear. Aft
er an agony of waiting he came within
hailing distance, and she bought him
out. leaving no living thing for her left
hand neighbOr to fasten upon. ~
The smile of triumph that curled
around the corners of her mouth after
this maneuver was a study for a paint-
err , But it faded as quickly as it came.
The left hand lady matched the floral
display with an improvised aviary, con-
sisting OF yellow canary and a green
parrot, which she had previously over.
looked. and then she sat down in the
midst of her surroundings with a com
piacent air as of assured victory. to
await the coming of her housemaid.
who had been sent to a florists for a
gorgeous hanging basket, which was in
tended to- drive the iron of defeat
straight into her rivals soul. The right
hand woman was not idle, As last
resource she produced her parIor aqua
rum, containing a goldfish and a
striped water-lizard (the latter dead. !
Then she appeared. and after short de-
lay came back carrying the family
clothes-basket.
1t was draped with the crimson-fig-
ured table-cover. from the .parlor. and
contained the family cat and her large
litter of newly-born kittens. Two staid
citizens might at this time have been
seen making their way, arm i'm arm, to-
ward this new block. and deep in con-
versation. They stopped before the as
founding display and gazed in wonder.
Are YOU 10 move so soonP'' "No: but
i should judge that you were fixing for
an auction saler' were the remarks ex-
changed They were the husbands of
the respective ladies. To hide their
emotion, the men sought the nearest
saloon. And while the ladies went in
side their empty houses to have a good
cry" colored man walked of with the
canary. cage and all. while some naughty
boys seguestered every one of the old
cats kittens IN. y. Meas.