The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-08-02

fUBIISHED By PERMISSION OF j. Il. DOWNEY
Co.. PUBLISHERS. CHICAGO.
CHAPTER X.-coNTINrED.
This is Mr. Hemingway, stran-
gers; member Of my family said
MIR. Parsons, introducing Erastus.
Low do you do, Mr.. 'Emmingway,"
said Mr.. Jobbers, extending rcd and
rather flcshy hand; speaking deliberate
~ and with n slight accent upon the
first and last word of each sentence,
low do You do? Iii 'ope lii see you
WE'LL
Erastus assured him he was in good
health, aud expressed the hope that
their guests were not too greatly wor-
ried with the iaunt over the hills.
With Mr.. Annclscy he shook hands
cordially as he had done with Ensign
when meeting him at the well.
In a few moments Mr.. Parsons, who
had left the room after INTRODUCING
Erastus. returned and invited the party
out to supper.
This is my wife. and these are my
daughters, he said rs the gentlemen
n
spread.
low do you do. ladies'? Hi 'ope
Hi see you we'll" And Mr. Jobbers.
who appeared to have one formal
phrase for the expression of his pleas
urc at meeting strangers, bowed low in
recognition OF the introduction.
The younger men bowed also. En-
sign once, with a respectful glance
about the circle. Annelsey 10 each of the
ladies' In turn and with n slightly affect
ed air and his right hand upon his heart.
He was 4 little surprised, evidently. as
was also Mr.. Jobbers, at the degree OF
ease and general air of refinement that
characterized the young ladies, and de-
sired to make Il cool Impression.
Hi say. You ave a huncommonly
fine place ere remarked the English
man, after they We're seated at the
table. Hit is wonderful 'ow you
Hamericans do things. Great hentcr-
prise, that of building railroad hacross
the continent. lii don't wonder you
people hare proud OF your country. sir.
'Ow long. may hask, since you
hopencd this place, sira''
Its eight years last fall since we
first camped on this spot returned
Mr.. Parsons, land mighty rough camp
in it was, too. Mother there n the
girls slept in the wagon for nigh onto
four weeks, while me and 'Rastus took
the ground fer il until the shanty was
up and roof on. We see some purity
hard times for the first few years, but.
rs you say. we hcv made good bit OF
improvement since then"
Hi should say so. And you ave
done it hall yourselves, without cap,
ital."
Yes, without any capital 'ceptin' a
pair Of bosses and wagon, that bruno
mother and the girls across the plains. u
Hi declare; hif that don't beat hany.
thing I've seen yet. Iii don't see 'ow
you could get ahead without capital to
start hon."
I'VE had the land to commence with,
and we had good health ginerly; an
we had willin' hearts" replied the
host; IAN | am Of the opinion that that
is about all the capital man an a
woman needs TO start on. We've
opened two places afore this, besides
addn' to the one we begun on, and
have been driv' off of 'cm all; an
don't see what anybody needs more
than an ekil chance with everybody
else. I'm sure that's all the men that
work for livin' are askin'."
Hi say. But there is many man
in Hingland that would be glad of the
hopportunlty to make i'm a ONE like
this. Hi know several good, honest
farmers that could raise money enough
to make the trip, and when 90 back /
shall hadvise 'em to come to Hamerica,
and to California
During the meal the conversation was
principally between Mr.. Jobbers and
Mr.. Parsons, with an occasional word
from Mrs. Parsons and Erastus.
Ensign made no effort to take part in
it, but devoted his attention strictly to
the business Of satisfying his appetite,
unless an occasional glance at the
young ladies may be considered an in
corruption.
Annelsey made several attempts to
enter the conversation, addressing his
remarks principally in the direction OF
Lucy, who sat opposite to him. but, al
though too sensible to be really bashful
in the presence of strangers, she was
not sufficiently se,f-confident to engage
in a lengthy conversation in the pres
ence Of SO many gentlemen whom she
had never before met, and so caused
Annelsey TO fail in his efforts to be
especially entertaining. But after sup.
per was over and the girls had removed
the dishes, and in company with theil
mother joined the gentlemen in the sit
ting-room. they found it much more
easy tn talk t0pcfhcr
Mr.. Jobbers had communicated the
fact of his having an interest in the
Hydraulic Mining Company to theil
father. who was listening very earnest,
ly and attentively to what he was say
ing regarding the size of their claim,
the length Of the tlume and the power
which they expected to obtain from SO
great fall. This gave the young peo-
pie an opportunity of chatting among
themselves in a less formal manner
than they could have done with their
elders taking part in the conversation.
Annelsey, having just arrived On the
coast, was full of the incidents of the
journey, which he had made by rail
and his references thereto naturally