Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-08-24
AN ODD OLD COUPLE.
[4capt Horseay-in indianapolis Grocer.1

L III
l often see an odd old couple trundling
over the throngest streets in a saucy sort Of
barouche, much more up with the tunes than
themselves. The man is corpulent and red
nosed, though barbered and tailored equal tc
the Marquis Dc Leuville He always sits
leaning forward and looks as though he was
undergoing penance--the ride is something
he has t. endure and he suffers in silence He
makes me think of Esmeralda's father, in the
play 'Esineialda," though vulgarer sort of
a person. The woman is the breathing, real
life image of Esneralda's mother. She sits
bolt upright, arrayed in fashions finest
feathers. and says by attitude and exs,ress-
ion; This is happiness; this is what
toiled sixteen hours day for thirty years
ago"
saw these funny figures so often that my
usually dormant curiosity was aroused, and
inquired till learned all about them Their
story is good enough to have been the inven-
ton Of Dickens 1t has its painful side, too.
They are both common clay. poor souls, but
have been very useful earthen pitchers in
their day; and think they still are, as fright
full examples of certain method of chasing
happiness. The woman began life by keep
ing doughnut stand at q railroad station:
the man was a hostler at the single tav ern Of
the place. He ccurted her over tho steamine
doughnuts, which she briskly dispensed at
two for cents. They were married and
they were Industrious Time and toll
opened up the way, and the hostler became
the inn-keeper. Both worked like slaves and
the little inn became a big inn, and finally
they reigned in "hotel' in n city Then
they left of scrubbing and dickering, and
wore good clothes, and tried to talk good
English.
In this, the greatest effort of their lives,
they failed. Finding themselves getting along
in years, they concluded least the woman
concluded, and she led--that they would re-
tire from business and enjoy themselves
They have plenty of money, and the daily,
snowy rides, which are SO painful to the old
man, are part of the process called enjoy
ment." The woman gets through easier. 1t
is enjoyment to her, because it is the kind of
felicity she has dreamed of and worked for
and now, that it is a reality, she enjoys it as
a matter of triumph. A thousand times,
when she baked her doughnuts, with sleeves
rolled up in the smoky little shanty at Gray's
Gulch, has she pictured herself arrayed in
silks and laces, and driving on Fifth avenue in
New York Now that the dream is q reality
she is in Heaven-as near to perfect happi-
ness as her worldly spirit can ever come.
But the old mamie pays the penalty Of liv-
ing grIb's life sixty years and then fiercely
setting out as a butterfly. He is cut off from
his old chums, and the new people he meets
are not like himself. They make fun Of him.
and he is sensible enough to know it. He has
plain tastes ana oid-iashioned Ideas OF hap
pinesS.
Sometimes he has been known to break his
bonds and tell some sympathetic listener how
miserable he is. Once he said to me: Gap
tain, If could so out to the gulch again, and
work all day witt just shirt and pants on,
and then sit on the porch and spin
yarns with the boys in the even
ing, I'd be perfectly happy. But
can't even do that. Once l sneaked
back without mother and thought Id hev
a good time like / use 20. But everything !
was changed. Even Jim Jenkins and Tom
Holland, that l used TO be as thick as thieves |
with, SHE'D OIL from me because was so well
dressed didn't seem nachural to them. They |
wouldn't take easy like to Inc, as they had |
when we were al poor deVlis tosether, and
none OF US ever SET up 10 peAlne. lhey acted |
Ike they was pafaiyzed when tried TO be |
friendly with them, ana so came away with |
heartache' somehow ieei cut OF my |
spear. I've earned my money honest' ana
I've right % slehd IL as please; out IL
brings me no enjoyment 'his way. I've
had Time 10 study over thinss lately.
ana I've cohciuded that IL ISN'T havin
money ana slendih oi u, thaI makes happi-
ness JUS the earhih Oh IT, Inc WORK we DO
brings reward petter IMAM the money, AFTER
all. amt ir'ilu Oh uy'hg' even because 1 De-
iieve that sotiieho" a'er I've dropped TINS |
Dody' tha' my soul can go oacR 10 the guicn
and be rouna among my ola enuns ana be
fiappy' even IL ,ney "oh see inc. us ms
take. captain great 'iislahe, ior workh
people WIN pam tastes 70 se' up Tor nhe.
NOW there's nno'her size tries I'd hiake her-
seli believe she happy Ia 'nat nis carnage