River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-12-22

Hobart brought, at his own expense, a
band from salt Lake, TO play at the
ball; and the day before Christmas eve
he drove into the mountains with his
Chinese servant and cut evergreens to
decorate the dining and ball rooms
When the stage drove up with Ella,
her father and young Howard Ford, it
was greeted with grand salute from
every gun and pistol in the glen. All
the miners were dressed in their best,
though this did not prevent a prepon-
derance of red shirts; and, following
sam Britton's lead. they gave three
cheers and a tiger for the ''sagebrush
beIle,"
Ella had grown taller and more come
", il that were possible. Two years
of careful culture and intellectual assoc
citation had destroyed the somewhat
hoydenish expression # her face, and
so rather repealed her old admirers,
with whom heartiness and bolster
Gus recognition went hand in hand.
II wouldn't give shucks for Frank
Hobart as a lover" growled Sam Brit
ton, after Frank had lifted Ella from
the stage. "Why, he didn't even kiss
her. after these years and all he's
done; and now she comes back this
blessed Christmas eve with a dude,
Jest as SAID she would, two year ago"
AS compared with the rough miners
in and about the hotel at the glen Mr..
HoNa ard Ford was a fashionable exqui-
site. Although under medium height,
and five yeas Frank Hobart's junior.
he was not bad looking, and, being the
mine presidents son, he was at this
moment the most important man at
LanstOn's Glen
There were tall, wholesome, bright
eyed girls by the score from the Glen
and the surrounding mountain settle
ments at the Grand Occidental hotel
his Christmas eve. and although the
ball and banquet in Elias honor might
be lacking in some of the refnements
essential in the fashionable world, they
were distinguished for a heartiness and
a freshness of enjoyment that put ev-
eryone at ease.
why don't You go MP and dance
with EIla?" said Sam Britton to the
young superintendent. after the dance
had been going on for some time.
That little dude has kept her all to
hisself ever since the frolic began"
Il haven't danced since l was a boy,"
said Frank, who. from his position at
the farther end of the room. had been
following with his brave brown eyes
every movem ent of Ella
WAL. | think yer as good dancer
as most of the boys har. and eff you
don't AK Ella blamed eff 1 don't git her
n AK you" And fore Frank could
think of protesting Sam Britton had
darted off.
The mining boss had plenty of assur-
ance. and he firmly believed that if
the young superintendent had more of
this quality his character would be
simply perfect. Already Sam Britton
had welcomed Ella ana babe her "a
merry Christmas" eight hours in ad-
vance of the day; but this did not deter
him from going over to where She sat
beside Howard Ford and shaking hands
again, while he said;
Miss Ella, me and the rest of yer
friends has been a-noticin' that you
and Frank Hobart's kinder geein' off
from aich other, and that YOU amt
danced together tonight. Now the
supper'll be ready in half an hour, and
before that time, if you'd so up and AK
Frank to be yer pard for one round.
it'd please us very much"
Howard Ford looked shocked at this
proposition, and an expression of
doubt, then of pleasure, came into the
fine gray eyes of the sage brush
belle Bowling. by way of apology,
TO the young man who had monopolized
he- that evening. she took Sam Brit
toms strong arm. and he led her to
where Frank stood.
mir. Hobart" she said, and her love
ly face flushed and her ewes were
dOwncast. IF you will not ask me to
dance with you. our friends think /
should ask you to dance with me"
80 we do" said Sam Britton, before
Frank could recover lis confusion.
Now haul him out TO the head of the
kOrtillion. and everyone'u allow you
two's the handsomest Ripple at the
ball"
Like one in n dream, Frank Hobart
felt the thrilling touch of Elias hand
on his arm. aud. quite sure that he was
about TO disgrace himself in her eyes
he took his place beside her at the head
of the set. while other couples came
laughing to the floor.
The band leader tapped his bow on
his violin as a signal TO the musicians
and the dancers. The salute was given,
and the quick first bars of Haste to
the Wedding" swelled out; but sudden
ly the music ceased. and the dancers
stood spellbOUnd. with ashy faces
The mines on fire. came the hoarse
shout of men.
There are eleven men still down."
shrieked woman
There was no indecision about Frank
Hobart now. Without a word he
sprang from Elias side, shouting as he
flew to the door: Follow me to the
mine. boys
Like a mountain lion he leaped
ahead and dashed down the winding
steps cut in the PERCEPTIONS side of the
canyon. at the bottom of which was
the opening of the mine shaft, from
which a fountain of smoke was shoot |
ing up
Men followed with lanterns and /
torches. The festivities for that Christ /
mas eve were over till il was known 4
that the men in the mine were safe. |
The women, Ella at their head. ran