The morning times., 1896-05-31
TOUR Of 4 FOUR-IH- HAND
Through National Park With a
Woman on the Box Seat.
ELOPED WITH A COWBOY
Little Beauty Ran Away from a
Mean Father and Stepm0ther.
Paradise for Fishermen.
ELoPED WITH A COWBOY

On our wayto the Upper Gcyser Basin we
were treated To an unexpected sensation.
There has been an eiopement. Fancy stum-
blln- on Il romance heTc ia the Park. Verify,
one Caunut hide way from the great human
drama. Hank told US the story, aud the run
away heroine, who is one OF tie campers, y
has been the occasion OF much interest
We saw her Tor the llrst tine sitting out
side of her fathers tent, wearing garland
OF Wild flowers. She looked up with her
big, startled eyes as the stage rolled 10y.
Later She came to the hotel, picturesque
little body, IN red, cotton gown, her
handsome face shaded by big gray som
brero, such as wbOys wear. We tried TO
talk to her, but the timid, wistful thing
would shrink away at the first advances.
Her remarkable beauty and winning man
ners made 4 captive of me, and | begged
one of the guides TO tell me her story
She is the daughter OF a half-breed, who
died or disappeared when the girl was still
III infancy, and a rich and prosperous cat
tleman. He married again, and every sum-
nIer brings his family for an outing in the
Park. His tents are the finest made, his
wagons butt on the best models, ana his
horses as sleek as any in the West. Alto-
gether, II is he most complete camping out
fit in the country.
But poor ltlle Melcora,' said my in
formant, she's the chief cook and bottle
washer down thar ter the camp, an thet
ole hag OF a step-mother makes her life
hard, you be-. Mers had 'nuff chances ter
git married, but the ole man clases the
fellers way. Rich ez he is he amt stuck
on losiu' his slavy. he amt"
A UNIQUE COSTUME
We asked permission to go the camp that
we might see the arrangements, but our
FOR - -
catch a glimpse of our little friend in her
own environment. The great, fat, coarse
beefy father made us welcome with gruff
hospitality, and the step-mOther, who was
fatteF and more repulsive even than her
cOnsort, was very effuSve in her greet
ingS. Her costume was 4 unique one for
she wilderness crimson silk literally trim
med with coarse white lace and adorned
with many glitterug Jewels. She talked
voldbly, in loud, harsh voice, aud was
especially eloquent in discourslng on the
charms of her own stupid, freckle-faced
child. We made some complimentary re-
marks about Melcora to her father.
Yes. she's a good GAL he said. Amt
no flies on her. yer can bet yer bottom
dollar But she don't take no stock in
Mel jerking his thumb in the direction
Of his wife, who was being graciously amia-
bic to the rest of the party.
The camp was tidy enough, but bore a
stamp of vulgarity which made our fascinat-
ing little friend Seem quite strange and out
OF place, a veritable Cinderella. Each
one of us, / am sure, longed to poss eSS
the wand of the fairy godmother, and the
Italian count, who is both susceptible and
sentimental. would not have objected TO i'm
personating the prince, but he, ii seems from
today's story, was already chosen. Demure
little Melcora, who would have thought you
the heroine of a romance?
At the time of our visit the plans were
all made, and the lover, a great, handsome
cowboy, came that very night, when the
ugly father and the ugly mother and the
ugly stepsister slept, and carried off the
gentle loving Cinderella for his own.
But they rode away on Cayeuse ponies, in
stead of in :" great coach drawn by six
white steeds." There was much storm
ing. raving, and swearing the next morning.
"rH hev my gal back, or fill somebody
full of lead" said the father.
"Ungrateful hussy!' screamed the step
mother.
But there was no pursuit, and the only
news this repulsive family received from
the runaway was scrap of paper, handed
10 them by one OF the stage drivers. on
which was written. " Bill and me are going
90 get married Mel"
The ride from the Fountain Hotel To
the lake, taking In the Upper Geyser Basin,