Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-03-15

Jesse Stone could be seen milking in the
barn-lot. and the voice Of Jesses wife could
be heard grooming psalm tune as fare
well TO the Sabbath, while she placed the
tubs ready for next days washing. Mrs.
Stone kept holy day with Scotch Presby-
terrain rigor from five O'Clock on Saturday
evening until five O'Clock on Sunday even
ing: and if she attended night service this
was free-will offering to Heaven.
The homes Of Gurley's various neighbors
appeared here and there, and down wooded
hills still sparkled the college town s steeples.
Below. culture was life's law. Up hill,
amidst farms and scattered school-houses,
quite another class of people made another
law unto themselves. AS refinement and
coarseness may dwell side by side in city,
so had Greensburg and the hills elbowed
each other several generations without per-
ceptibly acting on each other. However
solidly excellent those hill farmers might
be, the college town despised their plane Of
living: while, on the opposite side, all hill
farmers voted against appropriations for
the improvement Of the town.
Gurley took short cut across the upward
slope of his meadow to spend an hour with
an old chum whose homestead lay on the
border of the hill region. He reached the
muddy road, and few turns brought him
to the gate which opened on Tom Holmes
lawn. Poplars stal1ed out with their stiff
pillars the path to the house. 1t was .
staunch homestead, covered with knotty
elbows Of the trumpet vine. The sitting
room windows We're Pickering with freight,
and he assembled the wooden steps at that
side and confidently knocked.
But two or three knocks brought no re-
Spouse, and, after waiting, Gurley opened
the door and went IN.
The familiar room was in receptive at
titude toward chance corners; chairs stood
grouped for conversation; platter Of ap-
pies and pile of plates and silver knives
were on the round table. The fireplace
was piled high with blazing sticks. The
whole room so suggested invisible presences
that Gurley felt convinced he sho uld fiId
the family at home. He threw the end Of
his cigar in the fire, and-having the free
dom Of the house at all times-opened
another door into the kitchen. 1t was still
warm with suggestions of the past supper;
kettle breathed in the dark. The door
closed behind him and he was turning to
open it for a retreat when a rod of light OPP
posite and some subterranean voice calling
made him venture ahead and lift latch
which gave entrance to the cellar.
cts Randy, CT course" said Gurley. 'Is
that you, Randy: Where are all the folks?"
At the foot of the stairs was girl looking
up. She held Tom Holmes toddling child
by one hand, and with the other lifted q
candle over her head. She was very young,
and had black hair curling away from an
eager face. Her throat showed white above
her black dress, even in shadow, and her
sleeves were tucked above elbows soft and
round. A large calico apron almost covered
her.
The two looked steadily at each other Q
moment, he at the top, she at the foot of the
stairs. Being stranger, Gurley detected
at once the sorrowful curve of mouth
which she would have concealed from eyes
familiar.
''Beg PARDON said he, hat in hand.
"Aren't Tom and Mrs. Holmes in!''
They've gone to church," said the girl.
81 heard you and thought it was Mr.. Nc
Ardle.'
"Gurley, of the Mounds farm. 1 hope I
haven't startled you!"
''Oh, no; if you wait a little while they
win be home Toddles and l are keeping
house. Ipromised to take care of him and
strain the milk
loodieS, recognizing play-IellOW at tne
top of the stairs, shook tin mug and ut
tered remarks in dialect peculiar to him
self.
''May come down and help youa" in
quired Gurley. ''An Offer" he thought,
switch she may resent"
eff you would please lift the pals it would
be help" she replied. ''Toddles keeps
stepping on my dress
Gurley descended the stairs and they went
back to the milk cellar. The crooks and
pans were already in line, and along this
line they progressed, Gurley carrying the
pals and she the huge mill-strainer. Tod
dies, cuddling by. intcrposed his mug at
such times as suited him. The blue veins
started out on her arms under the weight