Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-06-14
TUESDAY. JUNE IA 1899.
DEMOCRaTIC STATE TICKEI
AWILDWEST EPISODE

In the early summer of 1884 left my ma
tive state and turned my steps toward that
goal of all youthful aspirations, the Gold
en- West" or, to be more explicit, that part
Of the west embraced in the territory of
Dakota. At Mandan, a thriving young
city on the Northern Pacific railroad, |
hoped to find employment, as the division
offices of the road were located at that
place.
had worked the wires at little way
side crossing in Michigan for six years
had served as bookkeeper also, and even
added the duties of target man to my other
responsibilities when business was dull and
word passed along the line that Expenses
must be cut down" But, like all young
fellows of my age, / wanted to see some
thing of the world, and so l started out.
with no certainty of lettering myself and
without the prospect of a position.
Fortune, however favored me, and a
temporary vacancy in the telegraph depart
ment at Mandan afforded me employment
until something better should offer itself.
| was fast making myself at home in my
new situation, when one morning | was
called into the superintendent office and
Informed that better position, financially
speaking, was to be had a days Journey
mp the road; but" added the superin-
tendent, looking me over critically, lit is
q rough, wild place, Baxter, and we must
have fellow of nerve"
What young man of twenty-one would
not have jumped at an offer like that when
refusal virtually meant acknowledged cow
Rrdice? Not |, at least, and so eager was
to be off that set about packing my traps
ut once, and the next train up numbered
me among it's passengers.
Gazing idly from the window as we
whirled along, noted that, after miles of
trackless, treeless prairie was crossed, the
country changed and grew more broken.
the rolling hills finally merging into pre-
cipitous duties, cleft by deep canyons
We had entered the Bad Lands, and Il
dreary stretch of country it was. As for
as the eye could see huge masses of sand
stone in fantastic shapes strewed the level
hoor of the alkali plain. 1t seemed to he
some vast deserted city, so like to mans
handiwork were the spires and domes. walls
and arches, unchiseled save by natures
forces.
Wild, indeed, l thought, and wondered If
anything save coyotes and cacti grew up
with that part of the country
The conductor. n pleasant young chap.
presently sat down beside me for = chat.
"Goin to Mingusville, are YOU" he re
marked, MY run is this side. Coin to
stay long?"
II have been sent to take charge of that
station, l replied.
you don't say! I heard that the agent
skipped out the other day with a bullet
hole in his hat. Sent you on to take his
place l reckon"
''What had the agent done" ! inquired.
aghast.
Wore n stiff hat--he was green in tie
business, you see. One day a lot of drunken
cowboys was huntin around for target,
and when he showed up they filled that
hat plum full of holes. Them fellers just
about run things up here" he continued
cheerfully. ''Well, here's luck to YOU Ny
stop-off So long, and he left me to my
reflections. was in for it now and must
make the best of it, but during the rest of
that ride / thought of Il certain small
Michigan Office with regret.
1t was far into the night when arrived
at Mingusville and standing on the plat
forth | gazed sleepily after the recediug
train until the glimmering row of lights
was no longer visible; then, feeling that
had severed the last link with civilization,
l turned and made my way into the dimly
lighted office.
A young man, but few years my scnio-,
sat at the key, and to my brief cXplana-
ton returned as briefly: "Glad to see you
Hotel straight across. Good night"
1t was not until the next morning that /
took my bearings. The town" consisted
Of four saloons, one store and n dozen
houses, besides the hotel and depot.
made this discovery in a haSty glance from
my room window as l went below at the
summons of the breakfast bell. The hotel,
q roughly boarded structure, was divided
into dormitories where herds of men rolled
themselves in blankets and slept on tho
floor. The railroad employees Jared better,
and narrow bunk in a small room wa;
given them.
. Entering the dining room, which would
have seated regiment, / was ushered
past the long tables and seated n a taDi~
set for four. l was early, but was soon
Joined by the night man, Maxwell, who. J
subsequently learned, was on all occasions
as briefly to the point as upon our intro
duction.
Soon the long tables began to fill up, and
forgot breakfast in watching the hurry
ing, pushing crowd-rough, uncouth men,
the majority of them, but not the danger
ous cutthroats / had pictured. "Will you
have sugar, please2" l gave a start as the
brisk voice broke in upon my musings, ard
for full minute did not answer. so dunn
founded was l at sight of the apparition
that, unperceived by me, had glided to the
head of the table and was smiling roguish.
ly at me over a coffee cup. Even the Sc
date Maxwell smiled at my evident EN-
barrassment, but managed to pull myself
together and to acknowledge the quietly
spoken "Mollie Brant, your landlords
daughter, Mr.. Baxter" She then turned
her attention to the stout, red armed Swed
ish girl who was waiting on the tables.
This afforded me a chance to observe
that Miss Mollie's profile was very reSu
lar, her hair, worn in two heavy braids
dark and wavy, and that her eyes matched
the color of her hair l knew from the
glimpse had of them as they smiled al
me across the coffee cup.
Although l was not an authority on the
subject of feminine charms, veptureG
to decide that the young lady was very
nice looking and marveled much at hel
pretty ways and correct speech amid such