Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-05-08
CHAPTER III.
The News At Ridley.


Miss Molly Mcdonald had departed
for the west-carefully treasuring her
fathers detailed letter of instruction
filled with interest and enthusiasm.
She was an army girl, full of conf
dence in herself and delighted at the
prospect of an unusual summer.
Moreover, her natural spirit OF ad-
venture had been considerably stimu-
lated by the envious comments of her
schoolmates, who apparently believed
her wondrously daring to venture such
a trip, the apprehensive advice of her
teachers, and much reading, not very
judiciously chosen, relative to pioneer
life on the plains The possible hard
ships of the long journey alone did
not appall her in the least. She had
made similar trips before and had al
ways found pleasant and attention
companionship. Being a wholesome,
pleasant-faced girl, with eyes decided
ly beautiful, and an attractive person
ality, the making of new friendships
was never difficult. OF course, the
stage ride would be an entirely fresh
and precarious experience, but then
her father would doubtless meet her
before that, or send some officer to act
as escort. Altogether the prospect
appeared most delightful and alluring.
The illness of the principal of Sun
nycrest had resulted In the closing OF
the school some few days earlier than
had been anticipated, and II was 80
lonely there after the others had de-
parted that Miss Molly FASTENED her
packing and promptly Joined the ex-
odus. Why not? She could wait the
proper date at Kansas City or Fort
Ripley just as well, enjoying herself
meanwhile amid new environment,
and no doubt she would encounter
some of her fathers army friends who
would help entertain her pleasantly.
As a result OF this earlier departure
she reached Ripley some two days in
advance of the prearranged schedule,
and in spite of her young strength and
enthusiasm. most thoroughly tired
out by the strain of continuous travel
Her one remaining desire upon ar
rival was for bed, and actuated by
this necessity; when she learned that
the army post was fully two miles
from the town. she accepted preferred
guidance to the famous Gilsey House.
and promptly fell asleep. The light
of new day gave her first real
glimpse Of the surrounding dreariness
as she stood looking out through the
grimy glass Of her single window, de-
pressed and heartsick. The low,
rolling hills. bare and desolate,
stretched to the horizon, the grass al
ready burned brown by the sun. The
town itself consisted Of but one
short, crooked street. fianked by
rough, ramshackle frame structures.
two-thirds OF these apparently ga
looms. with dirty, Tapping tents sand.
WICKED between, and huge piles of
tin cans and other rubbish stored
away behind. The street was rutted
and dusty. and the ceaseless wind
swirled the dirt about In continuous.
suffocating clouds. The hotel itself.
a little. squatty, two-storied affair,
groaned to the blast. threatening to
collapse. Nothing moved except a
wagon down the long ribbon Of road.
and a dog digging for bone behind
a nearby tent. 1t was so squalid and
ugly she turned away in speechless
disgust.
The interior, however. offered even
smaller comfort. A rude bedstead. one
leg considerably short and propped up
by a half brick. stood against the
board wall; a single wooden chair was