Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-04-08
a HAUNTED HOUSE


ed once more with peace, with the COM
ing of Ching and Charley, who feared
neither "hog, dog nor devil" and GER
tainly seemed able to deal with any
thing in the way of terrestrial or su-
pernatural beings.
In fact Qor such is the inconsistency
Of woman), rather began to wish that
the ghosts would walk, or otherwise
make themselves known; or that any
thing exciting would happen. For, af
ter the advent of my two Celestials,
longer did l daily wrestle with the
kitchen brasero, ana harangue the fruit
man and the other purveyors to our in
ner needs. In other words, matters
waxed deadly dull and borous, so that
l complained bitterly to my other half,
who only laughed uproariously, and
gave me little sympathy. (You see, he
had his work. And said he: "My good
wife, you don't know fine thing when
you see 1t. Here you are with plenty
Of leisure and all the chance you want
to shine in the American Colony Of
| L ihoi, JCI you iCI IL Dllps l. VI Oh yOuI
gaudiest gown df you have one); all
the jewelry you can beg, borrow or
steal; go and pay your calls, and I'll
wager you Virot hat that you'll have
all the diversion you can stand"
Meekly, but without the jewelry, I
did as 1 was told. 1 called on my la
dies, and opeend up new horizon to
myself in the way Of topics of CONVEX
sation. For in Pinal you always dis
cuss your servants, and other peoples
servants; your own, and other peoples
position in society; and the fact that
society in Mexico is not what it is at
home" To hear the wives Of the gro
ceryman, cheap clerks and machinists
discussing social position" gave me
rather sort Of 'Alice-inW onderland"
feeling, but held my peace.
Not many weeks passed before So
ciety and I mutually dropped each 9TH
er, and l gave my husband no peace
until he decided upon and arranged a
nice, long ducking trip to the lakes,
some forty miles from Pinal. And, oh
me, how enjoyable it was. But when
we returned, with sunburned faces and
hands showing traces Of powder and
hard work, the ladies of the American
colony shook dubious heads over me
and my probable fate. A woman who
actually went hunting with her hus-
band, could ride thirty miles in day,
and was reported to shoot as we'll as a
man, was paradox to them. For their
parts, they wondered why any man
wanted to marry such woman so un-
fit for society.
TO tell the truth, l rather regretted
the tan and sunburn myself, when /
found upon our return invitations to
the usual yearly big baile at the Ca.
sino. l hadn't been to dance of any
sort since our last country house visits
on Long Island. l had a particularly
pretty gown, knew that the floor would
be good and slippery, the native Mex.
lean band fair, and that there would
be plenty Of presentable men to dance
with, mostly delegations from the out
lying camps. But how in the name OF
all that was consistent could l appear
in an evening gown, topped off by q
: face, neck and arms that were about
the consistency of color of burned
leather? My husband unfeelingly sug
gested whitewash, but l applied lemon
juice, and mourned. 1t really was dis
: appointing, you know.
Three days before the dance, tho
4 partner of my joys and sorrows was
4 called away to inspect the installation
of some new machinery. He left will
reluctance; for, while our big. ole
!, house seemed absolutely safe. there
had nevertheless been some burglarie.
Of late, and he dreaded leaving IN,
: alone with the servants for couple o
nights. But urged him to go, sayin,
; that the doors were perfectly robber
5 proof, the servants trustworthy, ant
that would keep shotgun handy, s,
= that he need have no fears. In poin
j. of fact for once preferred his room
!, to his company, having a face-bleach
d ing process in view, the which knew
d he would never consent to, did he COM
d to know Of it. So he departed, and
f feeling relieved and sneaky by turns,
d set about preparations for the surrep
y titious whitening Of my unlucky coun
II tenance. Most school girls will recoe
d nize the beautiher which hastened t
o apply, as soon as my light dinner ha,
It been dispatched that night. Wit
,r doors carefully locked, and revolve
handy, in case Of burglars, expert
T. mented with a piece Of chamois ski