The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-24

DOC" SlS said.
a gust of March wind caught up a
bGshel of the dust from an Arkansas
road, threw 1t into the air, kept it whirl-
ing high for minute, and then let 1t
settle 10 the ground As this dense
clouding Of the highway slowly ceased
two pedestrians developed into view, as
though materialized on the spot, by
some whimsical phenomenon, from that
which the Bible says we all are and shall
return to. That the dust was a corporal
part of these persons was not hard to
believe, for the new deposit merely
mixed itself with that which had pre-
vioUsly whitened their heads, shoulders
and other places Of chance lodgInent.
They did not take the trouble TO brush
any of it off their clothes. They clapped
their hands together, and having thus
shaken it from those members they rub
bed IL from their faces.
One OF them was a man who strutted
so ponpously that more Of the dust re-
mained on his breast than on his back;
bat If his over erect posture came Of
personal pride 1t must have been accom-
panied Jv abundant modification. for
dilapidation was disclosed wherever the
dust did not hide his frayed and dis
colored suit. But the frock coat was
closely buUUOned over a figure which IL
fitted by original design. not by second
hand chance, and the trousers. although
they had not retained their sbapeliness
equally We'll had been made from a meas
urement OF the same legs which they had
too long enclosed. The decay was not
careless; II was unavoidable. The pros
perity Of the man and the endurance Of
his clothes had evidently passed away
together, and only the length Of time
that had sufficed % bring the wearer and
the worn 10 4 state Of harmonious III
fortune remained a matter of estimate
In one particular, however, his aspect
did not show any Unsightliness. Scis-
sors and razor were still his 10 Use. His
hair was cropped neatly close, his mus
tache dropped gracefully at the sides of
= smoothly shayeu chin. and the gray Of
both was II a. elective contrast with
the radlv sun0urned complexion.
The companion OF this uur=laxed effigy
Of dignity was a coutrascngIy lssome
girl. is years Old. # judged Gv her face,
but less If measured by her small stat
ure. on which the tacUers of = once jaun-
y jacket and gown were no dishgure-
uent: whose counteuance was not a loser
Of prettiuess through tan or freckles;
whose hiir wrapped her head with
brown and was powdered like a court
beauUy's with the dust, and whose feet
stepped as lightly in pair Of shattered
shoes as though newly slippered. she
was the fairest of tatterdemahons.
Dad, she said. and then stopped to
feck a grain Or two Of the small cy-
clones deposit from her lips; dad. this
eight mile tramps just about SIX miles
too long"
Daughter. " he responded, as he shift
ed the strap Of a shabby leather bag
from one shoulder to the other. don't
say tramp please to don't say tramp
Say truige, If you object TO calling it a
walk. or mention 1t as a saunter-a stroll
anything that doesn't make Us out
vacabonds. We mustn't confess before
we're convicted.
Whatever It's, tramp or trudge," the
girl retorped, Its something we've got
TO do; SO lets Jog along"
The fathers tone was little queru-
lous, although he tried 20 speak loosely,
and the daughters smile was something
like a peeTlsh grInace: but as they
walked along the girl took hold Of the
bag to relieve the man of some Of its
weight, whereupon he gently removed
her hand and held 1t in his own.
Telegraph poles made hundred yard
measurements along the road, with their
still Ssppy surfaces Of hemlOck from
which the bark had lately been removed
and the small rounds Of freshly pounded
earth AT their bases outlined sharply by
the surrounding turf, showing that the
work had not been done long. The evi-
denOeS Of newneSs increased steadily,
and when the pedestrians had gone 8
mile further they came to the men who
were making this line OF telegraph from
civilization acroes the boundary into the
transitional territory Of Oklahoma
There were several canvas top prairie
wagons standing IN row. and the horses
belonging 70 them. Unhitched but still
were nibbling the grass near
by.
Other vehicles consisted merely OF
heavy running gear, on which lay loads
OF the blrked trunks of tall, straight
trees ready TO be set up, and sill Others
were treiEhtad with wire and the apph-
ances for stretching It from poke 70 pole.
Two tents OF the army pattern had been
pitched where a big. old tree O@erhung
them and close TO = brook which seemed
70 be constantly washing itself. so clean
did the water look. With rs unierlay Of
white pebbles and lis borde-1ngs OF very
green grass. a roof Of canvas was over
a long table e. adjustable bos-is- OF
which tn plates and cups were ra2dy
for the meal which tT-o me- we've 0.-aE-
I1S at q portable stove. Some tethered
cows and sheep and stock Of canned
II box wagon snowSd how lit
tie dependence for food was placed on
the route. This movable eucampnenJ
had been located for the Right. and the
sun had already sunk into the distant
edge Of rank grass. Not a sign OF cult
vati0n OF permanent ha5Ieatlon was in
= ght, and tie unfsaced roads vas no