The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-03-10
OUT FROM THE WEST
He Finds a Wife I'm II Pretty Girl al
the "Isuzunr of Nations"

inc OGulZeHS VI Tic WIN WCoI, SoiihS
q suit of ready-made clothes with the
shelf marks OF an Omaha store plainly
visible, got off the train as st reached
the Northwestern depot at chicago ant
had his gripsack checked for SIZE keep
ing in the waiting room.
"Say Mister" lie said of the checks,
"mebbe you's better leave that thar
gun" pointing to a 44-calibre revolver,
the down-pointing muzzle of which
hung some inches below the tail of his
short sack coat. THE police might
take you in, and then you'd be fined
$50, besides conferskatin' the shooter"
"P'raps you're right, pardner," said
the westerner, after a minutes consid-
eration. 81 never been in a big town
before; amt exactly fly on the ways of
the people. YOU'RE sure won't need
it?"
mo, you won't need it," said the
check man; leastways, If you don't
drink too much"
4 never drink" said the newcomer,
unstrapping the formidable weapon
and handing it over.
When he reached Clark street he
glanced up and down admiringly at the
crowded thoroughfare, thronged with
wagons, street cars and people.
Setting his hat firmly on his head,
the stranger stopped hurrying man
and asked
Say, stranger"
"Well, sir?" said the other, stopping
impatiently.
Say, can you tell me where the busi-
ness part of the town it? I'm a strang-
er-"
But the man had gone before the
sentence had concluded.
Pears to me they didn't tumble to
innercent jokes" he said to himself.
Then he looked across the street and
saw the signs Of the Chicago museum.
"A show hey! Well, I take that in,
sure"
He bought ticket and passed in,
and was soon contemplating the pref
ty girls in the costumes of all nations.
Round and round he walked, and all
the time his wonder grew. He glanced
furtively and bashfully at the beauties
in the gorgeous and becoming cos
tunes.
Wonder if they can talk United
States?" he thought
Finally he found a post against
which he could stand, and, thus braced.
he pushed his hat brim out of the way
and stared long and earnestly at one or
the young ladies who seemed to talle
his eye.
The girl was fully conscious of the
admiring look, but, like well-behaved
girl, took no notice of it until after the
space of some moments, when the
steady gaze brought the color to her
cheeks and a half smile to her face,
which she attempted TO hide by quickly
turning about.
The girl became nervous. She az
tempted to dust off the front of the
booth with a feather brush, but it few
from her fingers upon the floor.
The western man sprang quickly
forward and handed it to her with un-
taught grace.
THANK you, SIR" she said, with a
smile and blush.
"Oh, can you talk American" he
asked.
Yes, SIR" she replied. "Why not?"
ooh, I dunno; you're wearin' fur
rim rig, you know"
Yes, l am an American" she said.
"Yes? Do you stay here all the
time?"
mo, I live at home. I'm only here
for couple of weeks"
I'm stranger in town." he said.
Indeed"
"Yes. live in Arizouy."
"Is that far away?"
Eyes; it's lonesome for me out there
sometimes"
why don't you live in a city,"
"Cause I got a ranch and lot of
cattle
She looked at him with sudden re-
spect, for she had heard of the western
cattle kings.
"I was going east to see a gal," he
said. after a pause. But l don't think
I'll go now"
why not?"
"'Cause I've found one that suits me
in Chicago"
You're lucky" said the girl, smiling
at the simplicity of the man. who Is
she?"
"Youi"
"Oh, go on with your foolishness.
You never saw me before"
mo" he said, but I'm going to stay
In Chicago and see you again. Fact is.
/ want wife, I'm a plain man. IL
you'll marry me. say So"
"This is so sudden, and don't know
you and
Never mind that. Where do you
1ive?"
NO., street
"Father and mother living?"
"Father is dead. l live with my
mother"
And you come here to make little
money toward paying the rent"
Never mind. I'm coming to see you
tonight. / can convince your mother
that am able to take care of you.
And I've qct ''+tc~e ~ Chicago men to
show you who and what am. If your
mother will go along out, I'll be glad to
have her along. Anyway. I'm going to
take YOU"
"You are very confident, seems to
me-" said the young lady, who had sud-
denly come to think a yellow beard
handsome.
To-day there is vacancy in the "Ba-
zaar of Nations" for one Of the pret-
tiest girls has gone, and in a neat lit
tle cottage in North Division an old