The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-17
CHAPTER /.
A NJ O r Nj ON y A N CE

/ was late in February, early in the
'50s. and the snow lay like = sheet over
street and house top. The air was cool
and braciug and the Young moon cast
hut feeble light. as two young men
strollcd out in search of recreation or
amusement. Frank Thomas, thc elder
Of the two, was Il tall lanky miner. very
dark and rather good looking. He had
come down from Il mining camp for n
few DAYS Of business and recreation.
The other, Wilhert GRAY. was a large,
wcll-huilt man. with dark curling hair
and muStachc. and n complexion that
any lady might envy him. lie was Il
civil mining engineer, and had been.
sent west by = New York company 10
oversee the erecting Of a large mill on
Il mining property in Utah He had
stopped at Salt Lake City for a few
DAYS cnroute Ia the mining camp, which
happened 10 be the same from which
Frank Thomas had Just come down.
They met ut the boarding house at
Salt Lake City, where both happened TO
he stopping, and being strangers, upon
learning each other s destination, they
soon became fast friends.
They ramblcd around the streets,
smoking cigars and chatting, for some
time when Wilbcrt suddenly stopped
and said: Hear the music What is
going on over there, do YOU thnk?'
pblHllDE ~ Il BuJlRluG ttIpSS thC Way
that was brightly lighted,
That is a ward chapel, or meeting
house. rs they call them here ans
wcred his companion as they started on
again 'Must be services of somo
kind.
Concert. maybe, but II must be a
jolly one from the music, - said viii |
bert, for the music came floating out
ON ihe still night air clearly and dis
linctlv. and was of the old-fashioned |
jig style
a dance. III bet,i' said Frank,
stopping suddenly again. and continued,
. Let S go over, . and he started across
the street 1T n quickencd pace.
Will they LET us in, do YOU think?'
asked Wilbcrt. as he came quickly mp
with him.
Wen soon find out -
IA they drew near, they coHld hear
voices, laughter and the shnffliug of
feet, amid the merry strains Of the
music. They stepped up to the door,
and finding no doorkccper. they opened
il and walked in.
''Tckcts. please, - said a Young man
as hJ suddenly confronted them with
out stretched hand.
I've haven :! any tickets, but VIC are
willing TO pay, said Frank.
We don generally allow-strang-
crs.' he said, ewing them sharply from
lop to toe.
I'VE would ike 10 look on for a lit
tlc while, if You will permit US" said
Wilbert.
The young man scratched his head
ihoughtfully. then turning on his heel.
he said quickly, ON speak To the
hlshop.' and he walked quickly TO the
other end of the room. He returned in
a moment and said: CAN right, you
,an stay
How much?H asked Wilbert, tax
ng handful OF coin from his pocket;
Tor the young man stood waiting 4,
wo-bIts apiece.
"Two-two whatq' he said hesitat.
ngIy, g!ancing inquiringly from the ,
money to the young man.
'Two-blts. then seeing he did not
understand, he SAID ''twcnty five cents
,ach -
"oh!'' and he laughed as he gave
lim half dollar
He showed them TO seats near the '
loor. where they sat down and watched q
he scene of gaicty for some time. with
much amusement. The scene that met I
ne gaze OF the TWO young strangers -
vas merry one; the young men IN "
heir "Sunday best" and the pretty
naidcns iu their bright dresses and rib. '
1ons, were dancing, chatting and Taught
ng gaily. The appearance of the two
trangers attracted much attention, o
specially among the younger people;
Who cast frequent glanccs their way, y
and giggling. Utah and her y
'eoplc were new and strange to Will n
,ert, and he was much interested i'm '
heir customs and practices, which had q
aimed the attention of the world be- II
ausc Of their practice Of polvgamy; u
Shlch. 10 say the least is unique, for n
civilized people. and in the enlight- I
ned age of the Ninteenth century. d
The meeting house had been cleared
( all ITS benches, except a row around S
ne room next 10 the wall and the q
loor had been swept clean, the pnlpit I,
ad been removed or pushed back next Ii
o the wall also, and In its place upon a
he rostrum, an orchestra, consisting of II
wo violins, flute and n bass Vol. d
layed the merry old-fashioncd dance d
music untiringly till ''the wee sma a
ours ,, of the morning; while promp- a
er called the changes OF the quadrillc W
n loud voice. The lSerosine lamp had Il
cen filled. cleaned and trimmed and O
he'd mellow light over the thronp of a
osy-cheeked, merry-hearted dancers. i,
his was not fashionable ball where h