Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-09-05


weekly, the part Of Little Eva was
played by a woman bf adyanced years,
and the cakes Of ics were epresented
soap boxes.
On leaving thu public theater kept
on the moving side walk for few
miles, and then stepped on and walked
for fully twenty minutes u the road
way. This unaccustomed< exertion was
rather fatiguing, and as night was
drawing near / made haste to find q
place of shelter.
On my right hand I noticed what
looked like q human habitation, al
though 1t was not constructed of cut
glass with inside shades as is our uni
versal custom. The house (if such 1t
could be called was seemingly built
of painted wood, WIN square holes in
!! which few small p S.ces of glass were
set. Attracted by the possibility Of an
adventure (Which of course are very
rare nowadays) walked at once to
the door and entered. Almost at the
threshold met the owner, and greet
ing him cheerfully announced my in
tention Of making brief stay with
him. Much to my surprise he seem
ed to demur, but soon recovering his
possession ushered me into room
and introduced me to his daughter.
was rather embarrassed to perceive
that she was dressed in the pictured
costume Of antiquity, but presumed
that it was merely done in sportive
mood-yet truly she looked picture
Of loneliness.
There was something almost pictur-
esque in the braided hair, full skirt
and jaunty, huge sleeved waist, with
czarina collar; and although for prac-
tical purposes our present universal
dress is much better adapted for both
sexes, cannot but regret that in the
bosoms oftheir families at least-wom-
en- might deign to wear the beautiful
costume that historians ascribe to the
Parkhurstian period. On engaging the
young person in conversation I was as
founded to find that her name was
Gladys. Who could believe that this
name of the past was worn by q ma
tive Of the thirtieth century.
But my wonder was further increas-
ed when, still wearing the ancient
garb, she spread a white cloth upon a
table and placed thereon several yes
sells Of the clinaware, similar to that
of receiving their portion Of the con-.
depned food in gluten capsules from
the public food factories, this family
had evidently returned to the old-time
custom of preparing their food them
selv IS in primitive style.
Mach as l marveled at this, took
my place at the table with the twain
and joined in their unique repast.
TRAY
slices of meat and vegetables boiled in
water, tasted extremely well; but the
trouble and time required to prepare
and eat them must become exceeding.
ly nlcnotonous.
After the strangs meal was over,
Gladys father loft us, and l engaged
the maiden in conversation by asking
her opinion as to the proposed chang
ing of the earth's orbit for the purpose
of rendering the seasons more equal.
IL regret to say that know nothing
about the subject on which you talk"
she answered.
Although somewhat astounded, de-
termined to persevere, and finally hit
upon the theme that usually interests
the feminine element.
"Whom have you selected as candi-
dates for your hand in marriagew I
asked. 10 my surprise her face turn
cd as red as rose, and for few mo-
ments l was fearful that she was
having an apopletic stroke. But be-
fore could say or do anything to as
sist her she hastily rose from her chair
and left the room.
Although extremely perplexed by
this unwomanly behavior, the sweet
charm of the maiden caused her image
to dwell in my thoughts in very sur
prising manner.
She was entirely dissimilar to all the
women of my acquaintance. Aside
from the wearing of such strange dra-
perry, her voice was low and even, in
stead Of having the usual womanly
harshness, and her gliding walk and
composed manner bore no resemblance
to the manners of the brusque, excita-
BILE women who lead the van Of ad-
vanced thought in our world councils.
To my extreme qualification, Gladys
and her father returned together to
the room, and the former took up
violin and bow and commenced play
ing Although her music was simply
nocturnes and rapid lingering, it was
rendered in sprightly manner, and
would have been extremely pleasing
to me if it were not for the fact of it's
harmony, After she had laid the in
strument aside took it up and played
the G chord, with which l have de-
lighted many critical audiences. My
exquisite art, in playing the same
chord for over an hour, and giving all
the distinctive phrases of expression
and meditation, was not seemingly
appreciated by her father, for in a
very few minutes he yelled to me that
If couldn't play any other note than
that had better stop, and interlarded
81;