The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-01-18

were going down to French Gulch to
see the new settlement.
On one of the benches east Of Daw-
son, stood a cabin chinked with moss
The cache was attached to the rear
and the roof projected forming a sort
of porch or wood house 1t looked
cold and lonely -perched there on the
mountain side; but within an was
warmth and Christmas cheer.
There was but one room and it was
large and homelike. There were boxes
made into tables, chairsmade ofboNes,
and boxes turned into cupboards All
were curtained and covered with bright
hued cotton stuff. The bed was separ-
ated from the main room by curtains.
A, home made shelf full of books hung
on the wall, which was decorated pro-
fuselywith pictures cut from magazines
and the Alaskan checker berry. taking
the place ofmistletoe and holly, was
gaily festooned about the room. On
the floor lay deer and caribou skins.
In the center of the room stood the
table ready for the guests. Instead of
damask, there was oil cloth, heavy
porcelain and tin took the place of
china and silver. But in spite of all,
there were delicacy and refinement
everywhere showing the woman's
touch. The fire burned brightly while
the sun streamed in atthe window. At
this window stood II woman. and she
gazed out eXpectantly. Sometimes as
she stood there, a tar-away look came
into her gray eyes, and sad home
sick sigh escaped her. But she turned
quickly and smiled bright Christmas
welcome as four men entered. They
were George Hardin. Old Sludgc and
two young men of eighteen and twenty
the last two regular cheechakos.
"Why, where is Mr.. Ford?n asked
Maggie Hardin looking inquiringly at
her husband. There was Il silence,
then Old Sludge said quietly. Hes
gone on hunt and asked YOU to
excuse hin, said he would see you
this evening""
THAT'S strange" she replied won
deringly, "Why he looked forward to
Christmas as much as |. "
Then the old man began to compli-
ment the hostess and her decorations.
said the mere odor of dinner was too
tantalizing and that he would help her
put it on the table. The other men
joined in and for awhile much merri-
ment reigned. Mrs. Hardin served the
dinner in courses, the two cheechakos
acted as walters, sometimes stopping
to wash dishes between.
Evaporated vegetables with onion
soup sent an odorthroughoutthe room
that was better, SO Old Sludge said,
than the perfume of crab apple bios
SONS.
Then followed fresh fish, and great
steaks of moose, caribou and Venison,
crystallized eggs made into salad,
homemade bread and canned vegeta-
bles.
Last a great plum pudding and good
strong coffee. The men declared it
was the finest Christmas dinner that
they ever ate and did full Justice to
everything; but Maggie Hardinnoticed
that her husbands merriment was
feigned, and the Old Sludge
at times, was absent minded.
The shadows began to deepen. for
the few hours of JOY and sunlight were
almost gone. Mrs, Hardin pointed to
the sun setting beyond the western
mountains. The whole sky was Grim
son and everything in the room re-
Elected the rosy hue.
1T is what rests me when | am
tired, she said, 'what comforts me
when / am homesick, what cheers me
always; and when go back to the
States, | suspect that shall be home
sick for this view from my window"
The sun set and twilight followed.
Maggie Hardin lighted the candles.
The men gazed about the cheerful
room and looked enviously at George
Hardin. 1t grew dark outside and
they talked of "home" and wondered
as people far away from home will,
what they were doing there. Then
Old Sludge got up, walked to the
door, came back to the fire and said:
"rhey have laid this whole blamed
business on me Mrs. Harkin, and
don't know what to say You don't
know what you have been to these
homeless men of Dawson City. | can
only compare it to the sun when it APP
pears after weeks and months of dark
ness further north. Your home has
been our beacon light. You have
kept many a young man from going
to the dogs in this rough country, and
you have proved TO the older men that
there are good and true women,
though we don't see many in here