The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-01-18


makeshift things-had been discharg-
ing loads Of women ind childen at
the ranch, tired mothers and their in
sistent offspring To the women this
strenuous relaxation came as mama
In the wilderness. What was the
dreary round Of washing, ironing, bak-
ing and the chain Of household tasks
that must be done as primitively as in
Genesis if only they might dance and
forget? So the mothers came early and
stayed late, and the primary sessions
Of the dances fulfilled all the fu1lc-
tons Of the latter day mothers con-
crosses. There were infant ailments
to be discussed; there were the ques-
tons of food and Of teething, of pare
goric and Of flannel bands, which,
strange heresy, seemed to be "going
OUT according to the latest advices
from those compendiums Of all do
nestle information, the "woman's
pages" of the daily papers
Inasmuch as these more than pune
tual debaters must be cooked for, there
was, to speak plainly, feeling" on the
part Of the housekeeper at the Ben
tons. Wasn't it enough for folks to
come to dance and get a good sup
per and go away like Christians when
the thing was over instead of coming
day before it began and lingering on
as if they had no home to go to? This
at least was the housekeeper's point of
view, crochety one, be it said, not
shared by the brothers Benton, whose
hospitality was as genuine as it was
primitive. To this same difficult lady
the infants who were too tender in
years to be separated from their moth
ers were as productive of anxiety as
their elders. A room had been set
apart for their especial accommoda-
ton, the floor of which, carefully
spread with bed quilts and pillows,
prevented any great damage from hap
pening to the more tender Of the
guests, and they rolled and crooned
and dug their small fists into each 9TH
er's face while their mothers danced
In the room beyond.
By nightfall the Benton ranch gleanl-
ed on the dark prairie like a constella-
ton. Lights burned at every window;
broad beam issued from the door and
threw welcoming beacon across the
darkness and silence Of the night The
scraping Of fiddles mingled with the
rhythmic scuf1e of feet and the sing
song of the words that the dancers
sung as they whlrled through the fig
ures of the quadrille and lancers.
About the walls Of the room where the
dancing was In progress stood fringe
Of gallants, their heads newly oiled
and proclaiming the fact in bewil-
dering variety of strong perfumes.
Red silk neckerchiefs knotted with
elaborate carelessness displayed to adj
vantage bronzed Threats; new overalls
OF the shaggiest species amply tes-
tilted to the social Importance of the
Benton dance.
AS yet the dancing was but intermit-
tent and was engaged in chiefly by the
mothers with large progeny, who felt
that after the arrival Of greater num-
Der Of guests and among them the un-
married girls their opportunities might
not be as plentiful as at present. One
or two COW punchers in an excess Of
civility at the presence Of the fair
had insisted on giving up their six
shooters, mumbling something about
there being ladies present and man
being hasty at times" In the ssbunk
room,' which did duty as a gentle
mans cloak room, things were really
warming up. There was much drink
ing Of healths, as the brothers Benton
had thoughtfully provided the where
wfthal and that in excellent quality.
Costigan was there and Texas Tyler,
who had ridden sixty miles to 'swing
4 petticoat," or if there were not
enough to go round to dance with a
handkerchief tied to some fellows
sleeve. By swinging a petticoat" it
was perfectly understood among all his
friends that he meant chance to
dance with Judith Rodney. Texas had
been devoted to Judith since she had
left the convent, and sometimes, per-
haps twice year, she told him that
she valued his friendship. On all other
occasions she rejected his suit, as If
his continual pressing of it were some
thing in the nature Of an affront Yet
Texas persevered
well, here's lukin' at you, since in
the way Of friend there's nothing
better to look at!'' And Costigan drain
ed q tin cup at Texas Tyler.
your very good health" said Texas,
who was somewhat embarrassed by
what was regarded as Costigan's STOW
eriness.''
'sBegorra, is that Henderson or the
ghost ay the b'yY Costigan's rowing
eye was arrested by the foreman Of
the Xxx, who stood drinking with
two or three men Of his outfit. He was
pale and Ill looking. He drank several
times in succession, as If he needed the
stimulant, and without the formality
Of drinking to any one. The two or
three xxx men who were with him
seemed to be equally In need Of restor-
atiyes.
They talked Of the cattle stampede in