The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-03
rats were recognizable as dead Americana

traits were recognizable rs dead Americans
of distinction. and yet, through labelling
added by n daring hand. they were all
doing duty here as "Earls of Rossmore."
The newest one had left the works as An
drew jackson. but was doing its best now
earl" On one wal! was q cheap old railroad
map of Warwjckshire. This had been
newly labeled THE Rossmore Estates"
On the opposite wall was another
map and this was the most impos-
ing decoration Of the establishment and
because of it's great size. It had once
borne simply the title siberia but now
the word "Future'' had been written in
front of that word. There were other
additions, In red ink-many cities, with
great populations set down scattered
neither cities nor populations exist to-day,
Ono of these cities, with population placed
at ]. 100000, bore the name of "Libertyor-
lofskoizalinski," and there was a still more
populous one, centrally located and marked
capitol" which bore the name Free
domslovnaivanovich."
The mansion-the c%olonel's usual name
for the house-was a riokety old two-story
frame of considerable size, which had been
painted some time or other, bnt had nearly
! forgotten it. It was away out in the ragged
, edge of Washington, and had once been
somebody's country place. It had q neg.
lected yard around it, with a paling fence
that needed Strengthening up in places and
a gate that would not stay shut. By the doot
post were several modest tin signs. "Col.
Mulberry Sellers. Attorney at Law, Claim
Agent" was the principal one. Ono learned
from the Others that the colonel was a ma
terializer. a hypnotizsr. a mind-cure dab.
bier and so on. For he was a man who
could always find things to do.
A white-headed negro man, with spec
tacles ana damaged white cotton gloves ap
peated in the presence. made a stately
obeisance and announced:
"Marss Washington Hawkins. s1h."
Great Scott! Show him in. Dan'l, SHOW
him in"
The colonel and his wife were on thei
feet in n moment, and the next moman'
were ~joyfully %wringinR the hands of a stout
ish, discouraged looking man whose gen
erel aspect suggssted that he was so year
old, but whose hair swore to a hundred.
Well. we'll; we'll, Washington, my boy, !
is good to look at you again. Sit down, SIT
down and make yourself at home. There
now-why, you look perfectly natural
aging a little, just a little, but you'd huv'
known him anywhere. wouldn't you, Polly'
"Oh, yes, Berry, he's just like his pt
would have looked if he'd lived. Dear
dear, where have you dropped from? Lie
me soc, how long il it since
81 should say it's all of fifteen years
Mrs. Sellers"
"Well, we'll. how time does get ava,
with us. Yes, and oh, the changes that
There was Il sudden catch of her voic
and d trembling of the lip. the men wait
ing reverently for her to get mmand O
herself and 20 on, but after n little strug
gle she turned away, with her apron to he
eyes, and softly disappeared.
"ceeing you made her think of the chill
dren. poor thing; dear. dear, they're al
dead but the youngest. But Danish care
it's no time for it now o. with the dance
let JOY be ~unconfined, is my motto, whethe
the re's any dance 10 dance or any joy to un
c%onfine; you'll be the healthier for it ever
j time, every time, Washington; it's my OF
perience, and I've seen Il good deal of thi
world. Come. where have you disappearc,
to all these years. and are you from ther
: now. or where are you from?o
II don'tqnite think you would ever guess
l colonel. Cherokee Strip"
) My land!'
"snre az YOU live"
! You can't mean it. Actually living gu
there2'' =
l We'll, yes; il n body may call it tina
a though it's II pretty strong term for dobit
and jackass rabbits, boiled beans and sIa1
jacks, depression. withered hopes, povert
Y In all it's varieties"
Louise out there?'
: Yes, and the children"
Out there now?i
d Eyes. I couldn't afford to bring them wit
M"
Oh, i see--you had to come-c!ait
against the government. Make yourse
: perfectly easy-Ill take care OF that,