The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-08-13

degree the two social extremes Of the
Uouth-the delightful, luxuriant culture
Of the old before the war" days and the
energetic, aggressive spirit Of the new
suit which was TO plant victor's ban
ner on the soil. Tho town was the gate
way Of the YaEoo delta, that garden spot
Of Mississippi whose twin portals are
Memphis and Vicksburg, and on which
the benison Of plenty seems to have been
poured. We men Of the press were too
cosmopolitan to feel or be susceptible to
! any restraint which others might have
experienced Hail fellows well met, we
expected and received the courteous
treatment we accorded all men.
As for the ruffian and the braggert,
we were familiar enough with him in the
cities Of the north to meet him on his own
ground-by ready resort to the pistol
when necessary. Into the gay social life
Of the place we entered with pleasure
able abandon all the more sincere BE-
cause tine relaxation from work came 90
seldom. Thus it was with good deal
Of satisfaction that learned early In the
evening that might attend the Suffer-
er's ball, Jones for . wonder being sober
and the rest Of the gang all on hand
But it was close to midnight when, hav-
ing donned q clawhammer coat, I pre-
sented myself at the door. and looked
around for Brigham. I did not see him
at once, and wandered about looking3for
an acquaintance upon whom might be-
stow myself.
Ihad been in the city long enough to
make some friends, but I couldn't help
thinking that It would be tiresome work
for my associate on the paper who was
doing that most unenviable Of all assign
ments-reporting an affair where he
knew no one, and would likely be treated
with Indifferent grace a. Q reporter by
the people he did meet Imagine then
my surprise when I caught sight of the
object Of my solicitude the center Of o
bevy of fair girls, who were listening to
something he was saying with the most
evident interest. An occasional peal Of
laughter showed that his powers as .
rencounter had humorous subject.
There was no Disgusting the fact that
Brigham was feeling perfectly at home,
and that he was covering himself and
The Avalanche with glory.
What was Wiley as q society reporter
compared with this brilliant cavalier
who could hold the attention Of half Q
dozen bellies and who looked every inch
the gentleman in q borrowed evening
suitI He was too thoroughly master Of
the situation for me to encroach upon
the ground, and I'waited until the little
group was broken up by an irruption
Of evidently envious cavaliers, when
Brigham strolled of with the sweetest
little bit Of femininity imaginable upon
his arm. It was the daughter Of the
wealthy cotton factor, jerome Percival,
and Emily Percival was one Of the bellies
Of the town. Not that kind Of q beauty
who overawes one, not the girl who
would be the seasons belle at Saratoga
or Old Point Comfort.
Hers was not the luxuriant southern
beauty you read about, but Of the sweeter,
less obtrusive sort, which Is associated
with home belongings, q tete-a-tete in
the conservatory-a presence such as
would make almost any sort Of place the
dearest spot on earth-brown hair, blue
eyes, red lips. and cheeks that kept their
color all the time. You see I'm not much
Of hand to analyze or describe feminine
beauty, but Emily Percival had the kind
that lasts, that don't wither after ball
room season; the kind that comes from
good health, good spirits, innocence and
affection.
"Ah, you here, Gilman" Brigham
said gayly. "You have met Miss Perci.
vSl2 Then help me to thank her for the
aid she has rendered me tonight. ]
should have been moping about as pitia-
BILE example Of the most detected wall
flower II she had not come to my assist
ance, told me where to get the names Of
the guests, found me Q messenger, and
raised me from . most foFloEn condition.
Of Loneliness into state bordering on
ecstasy"
II have reason to know what Q good
Samaritan Miss Percival is," rejoined,
"and l also know that IL sometimes re-
quires as high an order Of courage to sue
cor the wayfarer in these latter days ~
It did Of old in Judea."
Don't you think it depends . good
deal on the wayfarerT asked Miss Perci-
val.
II am becoming inordinately vain"
said Brigham sententiously.
"You needn't be q bit, |" responded the
charming woman on his arm. "Imeant
that there are some depths Of distress 90
heartrending that even the PhariSees
would relent and take pity on them"
Consider me the embodiment Of woe