The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-11-09
JOY AT THE FAIR.
The Delightful Experience Of a
Hard-Working Family.

"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
| ffxed-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 jine these doin's. I've
ben a-workin an savin for hull
year, jest to go to the fair few days
you an me an the children. 1t seems
like it would give us a 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 fiannels an shoes, an ev'rything
that'll be comm along soon enough!
OF course, if you go to the fair I'm
boun' to 60 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 bre'th you'll fin me
by your side!"
"Never mine that, Alviry! l know
you for savin' an helpin' wife, but as
long as I've two good hands you an the
childrenll never go hungry, an it's
cause of all this that think we ought
to go to the fair, an I'm mos sure the
money we'll spend'll be made up to us
some way"
81 hope it's not fiyin' 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 a 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-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 thatv'
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
for wear than nicety of fit; his neclztie
was awry and his stiff boots creaked,
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, nc
prettier than the childish face beneath
them. The children carried between
them a huge lunch basket woven OF
sweet-scented grasses, family souvenir
from sway down east"
, Through the streets, and over bridges
and on and on untiringly they went un
til they reached the Administration
building. Scarcely had word beer
spoken, the silence only being broker
by the children's exclamations.
Suddenly Mrs. Jenkins stopped. She
, seemed strangely agitated The veins
upon her forehead We're swollen, ant
4 her looks betrayed repressed emotion
what is it, Alviry? Is anything the
5 matter? Are you feelin' sick?"
"Feelin'! Eben Jenkins, what AIM
l feelin'? might as we'll out with i
first as last I'll give in, twas Jest ;
burnin' shame of me opposin' yo,
} bout comin'So such he'venly place
3. Seems like l can't get over it, an ain
!. got no words to tell how sorry am
: nor how glad am that you went righ
on so quiet like an had your own way
L Why, it's worth livin' full lifetime t.
. leave the housework an the drudgery
and forgit it, as If it never was! Will
: all the whiteness, an the music play
4 in, an the peaceful feelin' everywhere
. it's mos like the fulfillin' of the blessed
Promiser'
Its paid already, Alviry, bein' it
, done you good" said her husband, il
gentle tones, turning toward her
: beaming face, with kindly light il
J. his honest eyes. 1T is real helpin' an
I upliftin' like. An don't you notice
Alyiry, how there's nothin' noisy, no