The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-06
slumbered in their hearts, while the
evil walked and conquered.
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mountain burros which roamed un
fettered over the mountains, brows-
ing upon the sparse vegetation, or
RECALLING themselves on bro wn paper
and straw hats, when these strange
luxuries fell in their way; and the
girls acquired great skill in selling
the animals and flying off bareback
up and down the mountains.
Kate became more proficient than
Harrie, for the latter was timid, and
was unfortunate in selecting Jacks
that "bucked" and gave her many a
fall, but the distance to the ground
was short, and she was never dis
couraged.
Once in while, one at time, the
girls were privileged with visit to
the mine with papa, sitting in the
group of rough men at lunch time,
and enjoying the day much as they
had enjoyed many picnic "back
East"
The life never seemed an empty or
lonely one to these children; and
when the second winter approached,
and a removal became necessary,
with separation from their new
friends, it seemed like leaving home
afresh to pack up and go away again.
Mrs. Holloway seriously considered
spending the winter in Denver, where
Kate and Harrie could attend school;
but the thought of losing "Ma and
the babes" who brought so much of
brightness into his hard life, 50 sad
dened her husband, that she con-
cluded to spend one more winter in
the desolate Gunnison country.
The end is near, Mamma. | shall
be successful soon, and we shall go
back together"
Gunnison City was too far away
for winter residence, as Mr.. Hollo-
way could not visit them there during
the whole winter; but the little town
of Gothic, surrounded and protected
by mountains, having store, post
office, and the inevitable saloon, con-
tanned one fairly good, unoccupied
house. Into this the Holloway fami.
ly removed.
Kate and Harrie were soon recon
ciled to the change of residence, for
the charms of snow-shoeing, a sport
unknown in their Chicago home, we'll
substituted for the burro riding of
Elke; and the Hoffman family had
girls and boys of allages, with whom
evenings at candy pulling or charades
or even days of playing dolls, filled
the place of visits with the miners.
Mr.. Holloway came down only oc-
casionally, and Harrie missed him
sorely, but long journeys on snow
shoes were dangerous as the winter
advanced, and the snow became
deeper, and the monday sun cracked
the crisp crust "a slight shock bring
ing acres of snow down, down into
the valleys, sweeping everything
along the terrible pathway.
This was Mr.. Holloway's first ex-
pertinent in winter work in his mines.
He was anxious to make his stake"
this year, if possible, and as other
mines had been worked during the
winter, he felt that careful, sober
man, who trusted in God, had little
to fear. Those who were lost in the
snow or slides were usually drunk
and careless.
How glad all were to see him on
his occasional visits! And how he
reveled in home cookingl Kate went
a mile on snow-shoes daily for milk,
and they used egg powder, and can
ned vegetables; but there was always
cake for papa, and every other deli
cacy that could be obtained.
Fried salt pork and coarse biscuits,
indifferentlY prepared and served,
constituted the fare at the mining
camp, and it was very trying to Mr..
Holloway, although he never com
planned, and ate with his men; but
he longed more and more for larg-
err realization from his work, so that
he might settle again in civilization
with his family.
Meanwhile Christmas came. and
with it a note from Mr.. Holloway,
saving thathe would not be down for
another week.
Mrs. Holloway was determined to
make the day a pleasant one for her
girls, and invitations were sent to
the Hoffmans, and half dozen other
friends to spend the evening. Mrs.
Holloway prepared a supper, which
might have seemed plain and paltry
anywhere back in the States, but
which was a rare treat in this shut in
town; and the children played games,
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