The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-05-26
Clothing twenty-five Per Cent Below Cost at DOurnes

loss, believe me, does not sadden me at
all. In truth, confess to feeling of
relief at the thought that Ill becomes nv
fathers son, but still feel it."
On the morrow, when all the people
had assembled to witness the abdication
of the governor and the ceremony of in
stalling his successor, Kulcan, departing
from ancient usage, proud of being the
first to break the bond of traditional
custom, stood before them speaking elo-
quently for awhile, and then there
stepped forth the bride and bridegroom
in their dignity and beauty.
Before the citizens had recovered from
their wonder they heard Kulcan pro-
nouncing the simple marriage ceremony,
and as one man they joined in the sono-
rous, joyful nuptial song of Atzlan. So.
harmonious is the melody, so touching
is the simplicity of the words that Eric
himself was affected, and tears blurred
his eyes as he noted the real joy and sin
cere affection the people displayed. I'm
til now he had scarcely known how much
room they occupied in his heart, and he
determined to give the whole energy.of
his life to them and their needs.
After this came his investment in the
governors robes, the presentation ofthe
ancient seal and staff of Office, and
prayer by Iklapel to the great God of
all-the Master of all known gods, the
Ruler Of earth and sky-which was lis
tened to in silence and awe. Then there
ensued a festival Of festivals. The day
was given to joy and merrymahng, and
the Katun cakes, the currant wine and
the baked meats were brought forth.
Far into the night they held revelry,
and Pierce, as he noted the jovial songs
and hilarious but familiar whoops Of
mirth, was led to remark:
Colbert, was about to say this
morning that, in the contact of these
people with the whites, the usual remedy
of savage races-rum-would be their
worst foe. now realize that they have
already met the enemy and he is theirs
eyes, replied Gilbert, sit viii be diff
ferent here. In the case of the Indian
he was introduced to strange and un-
known beverage that drowned his sor-
rows and made him forget his woes;
but here, for ages, they have distilled
liquors and drank them, and they can
make good liquor too. They have never
known an excise law nor an internal
revenue bureau, and, like all human
blessings, because it is freeto all, none
care much for it. In an my stay here
I have not seen drunken men except
upon the day of the attack on my
house, and they drank then only tosfre
themselves to desperation. While the
introduction of better liquors might be-
get higher taste, don't fear that TREY
will be harmed by rum"
eff your plans do not miscarry they
will soon be drinking champagne like
other bloated capitalists added Pierce
as he lighted his pipe. sc And as we have
some in our commissaryaw suppose
we drink health to thelnew depaFture%
Now began stirring times. Besides the
usual spring sowing the people were
busy all the time discussing the new
features of their social: and political, life
to come. It was amazing how earnestly
they entered into all the plans of Eric
and Rlapel, and with what implicit con-
fdence they predicted the great future
of the city. Nothing now was too new
or too vast to deter them. They were
eager to enter upon the new era.
Eric had selected his board of direct
ors with great care, and day after day
they detained the wagon train until
their plans were perfect. More than @
month elapsed before Eric could say,
1--WE are ready to proceed" but finally
the day came.
Everything was completed. Three.Of
the wagons were secretly loaded with
gold by night and stood ready to- depart.
Pierce was to convert the metal into
currency and act as financial agent in
the great operations to follow. Supplies
of all sorts in immense quantities were
to be bought-an electric light plant,
mining and milling machinery, horFses,
fine cattle and other stock, farming i'm
plements, looms, clocks-everything, in
fact, that civilization could furnish from
its plenteous store was to be procured
and brought to them.
The task was great, but Pierce felt
his blood glow as ne thought of it. AS
the greatest buyer upon earth, the rep
resentative of unheard of wealth, he
would fairly rival Monte CFisto, if he
did not eclipse him, and in the building
of a railroad across the desert, Que OF
the first enterprises to be launched. he
saw a most interesting and exciting pro
ject, which alone was worthy of any
man. What more noble ambition could
he ever have desired than this eminently
proud one? And now they were ready.
Each step in the great undertaking care
fully considered and planned, nothing
remained but to act.
Leila stood on the threshold as the line
of wagons fled past, with drivers and
escorts waving their hats In farewell sa-
lutes; Eric and Pierce in the rear, ex-
changing last words of caution and adj
vice. When they reached the house
Eric dismounted and grasped Pierce's
hand, with moist eyes:
''Now, goodby, Harold. God bless
you'll Be careful and remember yOz
hold Us all in your hand"
Don't worry, my dear boy. YCmT
hear from me very soon, and let me tel
you," he added, with an effort at f ace
tiousness, ssthere will be lot OF ne sVs
paper men here inside Of ten days, m Axl
my words, and they viii give you sol lie
thing to bother about. And besi de
they'll establish mail service for yaOd
depend upon it. Goodby, goodby."
He mounted and galloped away. FEi,
led his wife to the housetop. They ccH1,
see the train wind along the river rmti