The Bossier banner., 1893-10-05
JOY AT THE FAIR.
The Delightful Experience Of g
Hard-Working Family.

Hard VIC Orklng Famlly.
"Wall, when be we a-goin' to the
fair, Alviry?"
"Hev you gone plum crazy, Eben
Jenkins? The fair amt for the likes of
us. It's only for rich folks an such!
Don't you read ev'ry night bout the
big doin's an the hifalutin' times of
the directors, an the furriners, an the
fxed-up women, gallavantin' 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, to suit the skins, l
s'pose, of all them natives from far
away countries?"
''It's noways likely, Alviry, that we'd
be obleeged to j'ine these doin's. I've
ben a-workin' an savin' for a hull
year, jest to go to the fair few days
you an me an the children. 1t seems
like it would give us taste of some
thin we've needed all our lives"
81 s'pose you'll hev your way, Eben
Jenkins; you most always do. But l
can't for the life of me tell how we're
goin' to pay for the winters coal, an
the fannels an shoes, an ev'rything
that'll be comm along soon enough!
Of course, if 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 if it's to be the city of destruction,
so longs draw a bre'th you'll fin me
by your side!''
''Never mine that, Alviry! 1 know
you fora savin' an a helpin' wife, but as
long as I've two good hands you an the
childrenn never go hungry, an it's
cause of all this that think we ought
money we'll spend'll be made up to us
some way"
Il hope it's not flynn in the face of
Providence we are, Eben Jenkins, that's
all I've got to say!"
Next week the shop'll shut up few
days for repairs, an then, Alviry, We'll
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 the little house
hold. There were two children, Hiram, a
sturdy boy of twelve, whose fertile brain
was hourly working with tremendous
zeal upon half-fedged impulses, and
his little sister Ruth, who had quiet,
dreamy ways, ''for all the world jest
like her father, imaginin an visionin', y
her mother said, "but sweet an lovin
for all that!''
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.
1t was pleasant sight to 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
Tor wear than nicely of fit; his necktie
was awry and his stiff boots creaked
out there was something wholesome
and helpful about him that rested al
who saw him.
his wife was slim and spare enc
moved with nervous energy. Her cloth
ing dated snme seasons back, but this
she did not mind. Fashion did mo-
bother her. Hiram's jacket and trouser:
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 it.
PINK ribbons and apple blossoms, NJ
prettier than the childish face beneath
them. The children carried between
them huge lunch basket woven O
sweet-scented grasses, family souvenir
from way down east
Through the streets, and over bridges
and on and on untiringly they went un
I'll they reached the Administration
building. Scarcely had word beel
spoken, the silence only being broker
oy the children's exclamations.
Suddenly Mrs. Jenkins stopped. Sh
seemed strangely agitated. The vein
upon her forehead were swollen, an,
nsr looks betrayed repressed emotion
What is it, Alviry? Is anything tn
matter? Are you feelin' sick?"
'Feelin'! Eben Jenkins, what aim
ateelin'? l might as well out with j
nrst as last! I'll give in, twas Jest
ournln' shame of me opposin' yo
,oout comm to such a he'venly place
eeems like ] can't get over it. an ] ain