Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-22
HOW 1T WAS FOUNDOUT.

4 Gaylord was an isolated little village
S1most destitute of the intellectual activi.
60that characterize most inland villages
Il its size. 1t had It's little school-house
where shockingly bad pedagogues held
sway; its blacksmith's shop; a store
which served the triple purpose of sup
plying the farmers few needs, postofice
and rendezvous of nights for all the loaf
ers in the country, and church. These
last two buildings were centers of at
traction and pretty equally divided the
honors. The church society was almost
always in a chronic state of eruption, but
the deacons and ancient pillars of the
gospel held steadfastly to their course,
md droned their simple interpretations
ofthe scripture into the sleepy minds of
the young, who, when they had passed
beyond leading-strings, invariably went
oyer to the merry crowd in the store.
Despite this mental and spiritual
dearth it was fact that Clayford was the
home of some very pretty and attractive
young ladies, whatever else might be
mid of the young men. Perhaps the
difference was traceable to there being
no alternative for the girls from the
harmless teachings of the church; and
II their minds held little, that little was
mot the rude immortality of the store cur
riculum. Be that as it may, certainly
dainty Matte Crondt, queenlv Helen
Murrey and her bonnie sister Kate were
maidens upon whom a connoisseur of
fsmale charms might have deigned to
bestow more than passing glance.
It was therefore, the most natural
thing in the world that they should re-
oeive great deal of admiration, from the
rudest, most rollicking b,or in the lot OF
the few, very few, upright young men
that Clayford possessed. These latter,
notable exceptions to the rule, however,
were in such imminent danger of being
spoiled by the homage lavished upon
them by mammas with manageable
daughters, that at length it was dismal
~ whispered about that they had become
90 conceited that no girl in Gaylord was
considered good enough for any of
0hem.
Now, if there was anything Clayford
szDelled in, it was gossip. Its profcien-
~ in this is not to be wondered at, per-
haps, considering the fact chat every
family worth speaking to at all, were re-
lated by natural ties or by marriage to
every other family; and it was perfectly
natural that any thing affecting one in
dividual was matter of interest to all
tho others; and 30 when Charley Brouse
one of the notable three or four-entered
The church ON probation, it was sub
iect for widely different comment from
EVERY member of this heterogeneous fam
ny. The fraternity at the store loudly
declared that Charley Brouse never had
known now to be civil, and now he never
would know; while, on the other hand,
The church members set their seal upon
it that Charley Brouse was destined for
. great and noble career; and in this cir
ole of popular opinion he became the
s.bnght particular star" Long before
his six months proba tioa was at an end,
he was by reclamation elected superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school, and it was
touching to witness his sense of I'M
vorthiness. that would not permit him
10 offer up prayer il tn service while he
WAS only probationary dweller IN the
sanctuary. More than ever, if possible,
mammas dotted upon him, and stern faith
ers held him up to luckless sons as pat
tern of excellence.
Just previous TO this event the shrewd-
est Of Clayford's female gossips had pro-
mulgated her firm belief that Charley
Brouse had kind of hankering notion