Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-10-05
JOY AT THE FAIR.
Tho Delightful Experience OF q
Woodworking Family.

"IIev you gone plum crazy, Eben
Jenkins2 The fair amt for the likes of
us. It's only for rich folks an suchl
Don't you read ev'ry night bout the
big doin's an the hifalutin' times of
the directors, an the furriners, an the
fixed-up women, Rallavantin' roun'
everywhere? How'd we look, I'd like
TO know, attendin' Of them receptions
they're a-havin' of pink an yeller an
all sorts OF colors, 10 suit the skins, ]
s'pose, of all them natives from far
away countries2"
"Its noways likely, Alviry, that we'd
be obleeged to Jine these doin's. I've
ben a-worlin' an' savin' for n hull
year, jest to go TO the fair few days
you an me an the children. II seems
like II would give us taste of some
thin we've needed all our lives"
~ s'pose you'll hev your way, Eben
Jenkins; you most always do. But
can't for the life OF me tell how we're
goin' TO pay for the winters coal, an
the flannels an shoes, an everything
thatll be comm along soon enough
OF course, II you go TO the fair I'm
boun TO go, too, for didn't promise to
be your pardner for better or for worse,
and II it's to be the city of destruction,
SO longs draw broth you'll fin me
by your sideV"
"Never mine that, Alviry! l know
you for savin' an n helpin' wife, but rs
long as I've two good hands you an the
children'll never 20 hungry, an it's
cause of all this that think we ought
TO go to the fair, an I'm mos sure the
money Wen spend'll be made up to us
some way"
81 hope it's not flynn in the face of
Providence we are, Eben Jenkins, that's
all I've got to sayr'
Next week the shop'n shut up few
days for repairs, an then, Alviry, well
all take vacation an see some of the
wonders that the world has sent to Chi
cago."
Full, indeed, were the next few days
for the members of tho little house
hold. There were two children, Hiram
sturdy boy of twelve, whose fertile brain
was hourly working with tremendous
zeal upon half-hedged impulses, and
his little sister Ruth, who had quiet,
dreamy ways, "for all the world jest
like her father, imaginin' an visionin',"
her mother said, but sweet an lovin'
for all thatw
1t was but few hours ride TO Chi
cago, and then Eben Jenkins and his
wife and children drifted into the great
human current sweeping on in ceaseless
course to the White City and its won
ders.
II was pleasant sight 10 watch this
family of four within the gates The
father was thickset and strongly built,
with an air OF rugged strength and pur-
pose, His garments were chosen more
for wear than nicely of fit; his nechtie
was awry and his stiff boots crealSed,
but there was something wholesome
and helpful about him that rested all
who saw him.
His wife was slim and spare and
moved with nervous energy. Her cloth
ing dated some seasons back, but this
she did not mind. Fashion did not
bother her. Hiram's jacket and trousers
were of home manufacture, made from
fathers" and large enough TO grow
in" The only bit Of finery about the
party was little Ruthie's hat, with its
pink ribbons and apple blossoms, no
prettier than the childish face beneath
them. The children carried between
them n huge lunch basket woven of
sweet-scented grasses, family souvenir
from way down east"
Through the streets, and over bridges,
and on and on untiringly they went UNI
til they reached the Administration
building. Scarcely had a word been
spoken, the silence only being broken
by the children's ordinations.
Suddenly Mrs Jenkins stopped She
seemed strangely agitated. The veins
upon her forehead were swollen, and
her looks betrayed ropressed emotion.
What is 1t, Alviry? Is anything the
matter? Are you feelin' sick2'
"Feelin'l Eben Jenkins, what amt
! feelin'? might as well out with II
first as lastl III give in, twas Jest a
burnin' shame of me opposin' you
bout comm to such q heavenly place
Seems like can't get over it, an amt
got no words TO tell how sorry am,
nor how glad am that you went right
on SO quiet like an had your own way.
Why, it's worth livin' full lifetime 70
leave the housework an the drudgery,
and forgit IT, rs II it never wasl With
all the whitcncss, an the music play
in, an the peaceful feelin' everywhere
it's mos like the fulhllin' of the blessed
Promise"
Its paid already, Alviry, bein' is
done you good said her husband, In
gentle tones, turning toward her q
beaming face, with kindly light In
his honest eyes, ut Is real hclpin' an
upliftin' like, An don't You notice,
Alviry, how there's nothip' noisy, no.
Dolsterous mongsJ an the people lts
jest as II there was somethin' of sun
day sacred feelin' in the grandness of 1t
allw
Frugal and hard working and indus
trious, Eben Jenkins and his wife had
found little time for even the simple
pleasures within their means But
now there had como TO them n priv
ilcge passing beyond mere pleasure
and Weakening TO life the unworded de-
light of now thoughts and purposes and
ideals
The same earnestness that entered
into their daily duties ruled them, in
Ah-is s'S''s IN the varinua buildingI