The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-15
CHAPTER XVII.

Neither Of the two backwoods
women had ever before been
aboard . railway train. In jour
neying from one remote country
district to another they had always
travelled by team and wagon, with
household goods, farming imple-
ments, and crates Of chickens shar-
ing their accommodations, and with
dogs, horses, and . cow or two fol-
lowing after.
First, the poor little bob-tailed
train from Wilderness Station
through the familiar Oxarks to the
junction; then the express with the
luxurious Pullman in which John
Herbert had thoughtfully booked .
drawing-room for the two women.
The dining-car-the sights from
the window as they fled farther
and farther from the backwoods-
the villages and towns through
which they passed their fellow
passengers-the lights ct night
1t was all . new and wonderful
world to Ann and Nance. Then
the roaring union station In the
great city, and the thrilling ride in
the taxi through tho traffic.
Poor Nance was like Z fright
ened animal in strange surround
ings. Desperately she chung to
Ann. Covering in abject misery,
she muttered whining protests and
dire prophecies.
But Ann Haskell, in . way, was
like > person returning to her ma
tive land from long exile in ! hard
country among an inhospitable peo-
pie. While everything was strange,
she seemed to feel that she was not
IN alien: In spite Of her ugly
backwoods garb she carried herself
with . poise and dignity which won
her sons increasing admiration and
from strangers. Her dark eyes
shons With Intelligent interest. Her
cheeks were flushed with color.
Nothing escaped her notice and she
asked questions innumerable with
the frank eagerness Of . young girl
on her first trip abroad. There
Was . new note in her voice, . new
freedom in her speech and man
ner. She was quick TO smile. and
she laughed often % her son had
never heard her laugh before.
At sight Of the eorgeously uni
them ct the hotel. Nance Jordan
shrank back In the corner Of the
cab.
my Gawd-a-mightyl Ann Has
kel. you've done fetched up ct the
wrong place. Sich @ we-uns amt
got no right bein' hyear. You'll
GIT % Jailed surs's the devil
"Shet your mouth an keep hit
shet," snapped Ann. sAin't I told
you from the start al you had 70 do
Vas to w g 81 Herb an me an DO ~
She stepped from the cab and,
erect and proud, faced the doorman
with steady eyes which transformed
him instantly from the naughty
Autocfat to the obsequious mental.
As they followed the boy with
their bags into the lobby Of the
somewhat pretentious hostelry, It
Was o Il m electric signal flashed
70 every World-wise employee on
duty 1t the moment. The room clerk
1t the desk took one look and turned
with Q low grinning remark 70 his
fellow clerks. The grin faded into
= sickly smile Of welcome when the
mountain woman. with the woods
colt crowding close on her heels and
John Herbert following, stood Be.
fore him.
"We-uns air aimin' to stop with
you Q spell, mister"
Courteously the clerk placed the
register before them and offered Q
pen to- John Herbert.
The young. man vas about 70
write, when his mother stopped him
with. what b you dxin' 70 sign.
son?s
Gravely John Herbert explained.
Ann Haskell took The pen from
his hand. II reckon hits III right,
but I aim 20 do al the sigin' fer
we-uns-fer : spsll yit.s
Il was John Herhert's eyes this
time which held the clerks respect
full attention.
"And what accommodations do
ron require, madam 3
"We.uns want the best you rot"
DO you wish : suitei"
30 you dssirs : suite q rooms Z"
y amt particular bout their
bsin' sweet but youd bsst - q hit