The Monte Vista journal., 1897-05-29

w. 81 :::';:;: :: :::::;:. !: z: : =: :: ::
sengers. three In
lumber, to this wilderness station.
We took up our bags and walked out
on the platform. There was no wait
ing-room: nor was there even solitary
hackman to whom We might appeal for
transportation. II hackmen there had
been. We could not have given him or
ders where to drive us.
The sun was setting. There was no
shadow Of hill or tree. Slowly the
prairie changed from green and brown
to pale yellow. and there were no out
lines Of irregularity to mark its outer
circumference.
A few blanketed Indians stood about.
watching their supplies" with evident
anxIsty. An occasional cath. borrowed
from the vocabulary OF the white men
about them. was all the English which
trey uttered or knew.
No other building was In sight. save
. oae-storied red structure Just across
what IL now. suppose. the main
street In the city Of Wichita. Kansas
In the doorway Of this red structure.
above which was sign In black let
ters. Tavern" = woman suddenly ap-
peared.
She bsckoned to US In the twilight,
and seconded her motions by 4 shrill
cry OF Come over here!'
We obeyed. and entered the tavern.
Supper was soon provided At a long
board table. where We ate with the
cowboys and the freight hands. We
had corn bread. white bread, canned
vegetables and fresh pork. roasted and
fried. Black coffee was served In
cracked cups without saucers.
We were government employees. on
our way to Fort Sill. Al Wichita the
railroad gave place to the stage line.
Before daylight We were aroused for
breakfast. which was what was left
Of supper. made into hash. We paid
our bill to the landlady. who wrapped
our greenbacks in . piecc OF buckskin
and deposited them In . long, home
knit stocking which hung from her
apron band.
TIE stage-coach was drawn up to the
door by four horses. as gay and prnnc-
Ing steeds as one could wish to see. The
vehicle itself. q stage-coach OF tho true
overland style. was large und strong.
with three seats beside the drivers.
The canopy. sides and cushioned seats
Wers Of genuine brown leather.
We started on at high speed. The
.urly spring buifalo-grasr seemed m.
loft % wool. The ground vas ua-
broken save by the settle melts Of the
prairie-dogs. whose towns made almost
q continuous city on saca side O! the
trail for many miles. The saucy In
habitants were out early. probably In
The Interests Of farming. standing
straight up and taking 10 one another.
1arting out Of sight down their door.
ways. and peepinE out again a. sud.
denly.
Tho morning sun npp cared, without
shadows. A. he had set the nigh, before.
There we're now and then little farms
planted with small pcarh-treen.
From the doors OF dsxou,s, or tiny
frame houses. haif-dreAsed children
pceped curiousiy forth. On we sped
through creek and river. up slippery
banks and ON over tho plains.
III this II staging" we said. then
sood.by to stsam cars tor tho prairie"
But our pleasant way. Ike MANY
another. was subject to change. Al the
end OF hfteea miles WI halted for \ re-.
lay. Our horses were foaming. and
mus, be replaced lv fresh oncs, We
liighted at . small s.aSc-iInc station.
and were told to lake out our lug.
gage"
In six minutes W. we're ready 10 start
again. The four horses and leather.
covered vehicle. which had dashed out
y wichita with It's pledge OF comfort
and rapldity. gave place to q dirty.
:anvas.toppsd. two-muls coach without
cushions.
Ths seats were high. and without
Backs save - We leaned coruerwiss
ssainst tho slender supports which
ssid up tho canopy.
Our new stseds were slow and stub.
sosn. by much nosEing from . raw.
aide instrument. whose like have new.
" sesn. they were Induced to pi0d
along. They were thin In 6ssh. and
Ams.
New and then We saw early Wild cso-
esssss and canterbury bells. and the
soft. thrilling sensitive plant. with its
silksa balls spattsred with golden dust.
There we're no more housss--oniy lev
d. unbroksn plain. with an occasional
stesp-banked stream. on whose margins
Grew . sparse fringe Of cottonwood.
lfoeo.
4 eFay wolf trottsd nut Of tho tim
W. ~ etareA at 10. Dssf In the dis
tAsso boua1s1 away, whiio one solitary