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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (March 20, 1924)
I Desert Dust I I By €dwin L Satin I Author of “How Are You Feeling?” eta f i u • “It's a she Jonah wc got. Sure a woman the likes o’ her hain't no place in a freightin' outfit. We’re off on the wrong fut,” an Irishman declared to wagging of heads. “Faith, she’s enough to set the saints above an’ the saints below both by the ears.” He paused to light his dubeen. “There’ll be a Donny brook Fair in Utah, if we don’t have it along the way.” “No Mormon’ll need another wife if he takes her,” laughed somebody else. “She’ll be promised to Dan’l Tore ever we cross the Wa satch,” and they all in a group lolted slyly at me. “Acts as if she’d been sealed to him already, he does.” this had occurred at our noon ing hour, amidst the dust and the I heat, while the animals drooped and dozed and panted and in the scant shade of the hooded wag ons we drank our coffee and crunched our hard-tack. Throughout the morning My Lady bad ridden upon the seat of Daniel’s wagon, with him some times trudging beside, in pride of new ownership, cracking his whip, and again planted sidewise upon one of the wheel animals facing backward to leer at her. Why I should now have espec ially detested him I would not ad mit to myself. At any rate the dislike dated before her arrival. That was one sop to conscience | when I remembered that she was a wife. Friend Jcnks must Itove read my thoughts, inasmuch as during tbe course of the afternon he had ottered abruptly: “These Mormons don’t exact ly recognise Gentile marriages. Did you know that!” He flung me a look from beneath shaggy brows. “What!” I exclaimed. “How •ot” “Meanin’ to say that the lay in’ on of hands by he Lords an’lntcd is necessary to reel j ’inin ’ in marriage. ’ ’ “But that’s monstrous!” I stammered. **Dare say” said he “It’s the way white gospelers look at In juns, ain’t itf Anyhow, to con cert her out of Bin, as they’d call. it, and put her over in the com- , pany of the saints wouldn’t be no bad deal, by their kind o’ think in’. It’s been <ione before, I reckon. Jest thought I’d warn4 you. She’s made her own bed and if it’s a Mormon bed she’s well quit of Montoyo, that’s aartin. Did you ever see the beat of that young feller on the drawl” 4‘No,” I admitted. “I never did.” “And you never will.” “He says his name is Bonnie Bravo. Where did he find that!” “Haw haw.” Friend Jenks apat. “Must ha’ heard it in a play-house or got if read to him out a book. Bounds to him like he was some punkins. Anyhow, if you’ve any feelin’s in the mat ter keep ’em under your hat. I don’t know what there’s been be tween you and her, but the Mor mon churoh< is between you now and it’s got tha dead wood on you. It’s either that for her, or Mon toyo. He knows; he’s no fool axul he’ll take his time. So you’d better stick to mule-whacking and sowbelly.” Still it was only decent that I should inquire after her. No Daniel and no "Bonnie Bravo” was going to shut me from my duty. Therefore this evening after we htpl form eft corral, wat ered our animals at the one good water spring, staked them out in the bottoms of the ravine here, - and eaten qur supper, J went with dean hands apd face and, I re •dyed, a clean heart, to pay my respects at'the Hyrum Adams ins. A cheery sight it was, too, for •w bred ss I had been to the wapuy of women. Whereas daring the day and somewhat, in the evenings we Gentiles and the Mormon men fraternized without conflict of sect save by long winded arguments, at nightfall the main Mormon gathering centered about the Adams quar ts™, where the men and women tnng hymns in praise of their, pretensions, and listened to homi lies by Iiyrura himself. They were singing now, as I approached—every woman busy aim with her hands. The words were destined to be fainilar to nm, being frqiu their favorite lines: Cheer, saints, cheer! We’re bound for peaceful Zion! Cheer, saints, cheer I For that free and happy land! Cheer, saints, cheer! We’ll Is real’s God rely on ; We will be led by the power of His hand. Away, far away to the everlast ing mountains, Away ,far away to the valley of the West; Away, far away to yonder gush ing fountains, Where all the faithful in the latter days are blest. Into this domestic circle I civil ly entered just as they had finish ed their hymn. She was seated beside the sleek-haired Rachael, with Daniel upon her other hand. Isensed her quickly ready smile; and with the same a surely stare from him, disclosing that by one person at least I was not welcom ed Anything special wanted, stranger!” Hyrurn demanded. “No, sir. I was attracted by your singing ,” I replied. “Do I intrude! ’ ’ “Not at all, not at all.” He was more hospitable. Set if you like, in the circle of the Saints. You’ll get no harm by it, that’s certain.” So I seated myself just behind Rachael. A moment of constraint seemed to fall upon the group. I broke it by my inquiry, ad dressed to a clean profile. “I came also to inquire after Mrs. Montoyo,” I carefully said. “You have stood the journey well, this far, madam!” Daniel turned instantly. “Thar’s no ‘Mrs* Montoyo’in this camp, Mister. And I’ll thank yu it’s a name yu’d best leave alone.” “How so, sir!” “Cause that’s the right of it. I ’laow I've told yu.” “I’m called Edna now, by my friends,” she vouchsafed, color ing. “Yes, thank you, I’ve en joyed the day.” i Rachael spoke softly, in her gentle English accents. I learn ed later that she was an English girl, convert to Mormonism. “We Latter Day Saints know that the marriage rites of Gen tries are not countenanced by the Lord. If you would see the light you would understand. Sister Edna is being well cared for. Whatever we have is hsrs.” , “You will take her on with you to Salt Lake!” “That is as Hyrurn says. He has spoken of putting her on the stage at the next crossing. He will decide.” “I think I’d rather stay with the train,” My Lady murmured. “Yu will, too, by gum,” Dan iel pronounced. “I’ll talk with paw. You’re goin’ to travel on to Zion ’long with me. I 'laow I’m man enough to look out for ye an’ I got plenty room. The hull wagon’s youru. Guess thar won’t nobody have anything to say ag’in that.” His tone was pointed, unmistakable, and I sat fuming with it. 1 My Lady drily acknowledged. “You are very kind, Daniel.” “Wall, yu see I’m the best man on the draw in this hyar train. I’m a bad one, I tin. My name’s Bonnie Bravo. That gambler—he ’laowed to pop me but I could lia’ killed him ’fore his gun was loose. I kin ride, wrestle, drive a bull team ag 'in ary man from the states, an’ I got a gift o’ tongues. Ain’t a feard o’ Injuns, neither. I’m elected. I foller the Lord an* some day I’ll be a bishop. I hain’t been more’n middlin’ in terested in wimmen, but I’m git tin’ old enough, an’ yu an’ me’ll be purty well acquainted by the time we reach Zion. Thar’s a long spell ahead of us, but I aim to look out for yu, yu bet.” His blatancy was arrested by the intonation of another hymn. They sU chimed in, except My Lady and me. There is a people in the West, the world calls Mormonites in jest, The only people who can say, we have the truth, and own its sway. Away in Utah's valleys, away in Utah's valleys Away in Utah’s valleys, the chambers of the Lord. And all ye saints, where’er you be, from bondage 'try to bo set free, Escape unto fair Zion’s land and thus fulfill the Lord’s command, And help to build up Zion, and help to build up Zion, And help to build up Zion, be fore the Lord appear. They concluded; sat with heads bowed while Hyrum, standing, delivered himself of a long-winded blessing, through his nose. It was the jpignal for breaking up. They stood. My Lady arose lithely; encumber ed by her trailing skirt she pitch ed forward and I caught her. Daniel sprang in a moment, with a growl. “None o’ that, Mister. I’m takin’ keer of her. Hands off.’’ “Don’t bully me, sir,’’ I re torted, furious. “I’m only act ing the gentleman, and you’re acting the boor.” I would willingly have fought to my disaster, but Hyrum’s heavy voice cut in. “Who quarrels at my fire? Mark you, I'll have no more of it. Stranger, get you where you belong. Daniel, get you to bed. And you, woman, take yourself off properly and thank God that you are among his chosen and not adrift in sin.” “Good-night, sir,” I answered. And I walked easily away, a triumphant warmth buoying me, for ere releasing her strong young body I felt a note tucked into my hand. CHAPTER Xm Someone Fears A note from a pretty woman always is a potential thing, no matter in what humor it may have been received. The mere possession titillates; and al though the contents may be most exemplary to the eye, the mind is apt to go hay-making be tween the lilies and no offense intended. All the fatuousness that had led me astray to the lure of her blue eyes, upon the train and in hollfgw Benton, surged anew now —perhaps seasoned to present taste by my peppery defiance of Daniel. A man could do no less than bristle a little, under the circumstances; could do no less than challenge the torpedoes, like Farragut in Mobile Bay. Whether the game was worth the candle, I was not to be bullied out of my privileges by a clown swash-buckler who aped the characteristics of a pouter pig eon. % Mr. Jenks was just going to bed under the wagon. With' pre text of warming up the feoffee I kicked the fire together; while aged to unfold the note and read it by the flicker, my back to the camp. AW that it said, was: If you are disgustful with me I will walk a strectch with you on the trail, during the morning. The engagement sent me to my bHbket cogitating. When a wmaa proposes, one never knows precisely the reason. Any way, I was young enough so to fancy. For a long time I lay outside the wagons, apart in the desert camp, gazing up at the twinkling stars, while the wolves whimpered around, and some where she slept beside the gentle Rachael, and some-where Daniel snored, and here I conned her face and her words, elatedly finding them very pleasing. Salt Lake was far, the Big Tent farther by perspective if not by miles. I recognized the legal, rights of her husband, but no ruffling Daq§el should quash the undeniable rights of Yours Truly. I indeed felt virtuous and passing valorous, with that common-jllace note in my pocket. We all broke camp at sunrise. She rode for a distance upon the seat of Daniel’s wagon—he lustily trudging alongside. Then I marked her walking, herself; she had shortened her skirt; and presently lingering by the trail she dropped behind, leaving the wagon to lumber on, with Daniel helplessly turning head over shoulder, bereft. “Bet you the lady up yonder is aimin’to pay you a visit,” quoth friend Jenks the astute. “And Dan’l, he don’t Cotton to it. You ain’t great shakes with a gun, I reckon!” “I’ve never had use for one,” said I. “But her whereabouts in the train ia not a matter of shoott the train is not a matter of shoot ing, is it!” “A feller quiick on the draw, like him, is alluz wantin’ to prac tice, to keep his hand in. Any how I’d advise you to stay clear of her, else watch him mighty sharp. He’s thinkin’ of takin’ a squaw.” We rolled on, in the dust, while the animals coughed and the teamsters chewed and swore. And next, here die was, idling | until our outfit drew abresst. “Momin’,” Jenks granted, the shortness tha tbespoke hia disapproval; whereupon he fell back and left us. She smiled at me. “Will you offer me a ride, sirf” My response was instant: a long “Whoa-oa!” in best mule long: “Whoa-oa!” in best mule whacker. The eight-team haul ed negligent, their mulish senses steeped in the drudgery of the trail only the wheel pair flopped inquiring ears. When I hailed again, Jenks came puffing. “What’s the matter liyart” He ran rapid eye over wagon and animals and saw nothing amiss. “Mrs. Montoyo wishes to ride.” “The hell, man!” He snatch ed whip and launched it, up the faltering team. The cracker pop ped an inch above the off lead mule’s cringing haunch twenty feet before. “You can’t stop hyar! Can’t hold the rest of the train. Joe! Baldy! Hep with you!” The team straightened out; he restored me the whip. His wrath subsided, for in less \iaq passaappe aq uoaSpnp “Want to ride, do yet” “I did, sir.” “Wall, in Gawd’s name ride, then. But we don't stop for pass engers.” witn that, in another white heat he had picked her up bodily, swung her upon the nearest mule; so that before she knew (she scarce ha dtime to utter an aston ed little ejaculation as she yield ed to his arms) there she was, perched breathless, upon the sweaty hide. I awaited results. Jenks chuckled. “What you need is an old feller, lady. These young bucks ain’t broke to the feed canvas. Now when you want to get off you call me. You don’t weigh more’n a peck of beans.” With a bantering wink at me he again fell back. Once more I had been forestalled. There should be no third time. My Lady sat clinging, at first angry-eyed, but in a moment Softened by my discomfiture. “Your partner is rather sud den, ’ ’ she aveered. He asked per den,” jhe aveereed. “He asked permission of neither me nor the mule. ’ ’ “He meant well. He isn’t us ed t owomen,” I apologized. ‘ ‘ More used to mules, I judge.” “ Yes, ifhe had asked the mule it would have objected, whereas it’s delighted.” “Perhaps he knows there’s not much difference between a woman and a mule, in that re spect,” she proffered. “You need not apologiz for him.”: “I apologized for myself,” I blurted. “I see I’m a little slow for this country.’ (To be Continued.) | ^ If We Only Knew. Roy L. Smith. —Hia temptations we would un derstand. —Hia troubles we would try to help. —Hia ambitions we would shout for him. —Hia secret aorrow we would nevar add another. —Hia generoua impulaea we would apeak charitably. —Hia capabilities we would re spect him. —Hia innermost prayera we would never call him a heretic. MYSTERY IN RELIGION. We"*9peak God's wisdom In a mys tery.—1 Cor. 2:7. A religion that professed to re veal and explain everything, and to make the moral order of the uni verse and the nature and plans of God as plain to our comprehension as a map of the United States—a religion that contained no mystery would be quite as incredible as a religion that was all mystery.' "We flnd^ Insoluble problems and undlscoverable secrets in nature, and we expect to find them in theology. There Is something hidden even In the least and lowest form of life, why not also in the highest and greatest? Do you remember Tennyson's po em of “The Flower?" "Flower in the crannied wall, I pllick you out of the crannlea. 1 hold you hern, root and all. In my hand,. Little floorer—but If I could un derstand What you ate, root and all, and all In aU. I should knew what God aad man Is." But that is precisely What we can not attain. Anything that a telescope could discover among the stars, anything ' that logic could define and., explain and fit Into- an exact phtlosephloab system. wouM .net be God. For It belongs to His very essence that He transcends our thought, and that Hts Judgments are unsearch able and His ways past finding out. We do not know anything "about God unless we know that we cannot know Him perfectly. Then Come the Wreck. From The Kansas City Star. "Ware you evsr In a railroad acci dent?" "fee. I kissed the wrong gftrt ease whoa We went ^hroogfc a tauaeb" WOMEN! BEWARE! REFUSE IMITATIONS " Always ask for "Diamond Dyes” and if yon don’t see the name “Diamond Dyes’’ on the package—refuse It—hand tt back! Each 15-cent package of “Diamond Dyes'* contains directions so simple gny wopgan can dye or tint skirts, dresSes, waists, sweaters, stockings, kimonos, coate, draperies, coveripge-t-erei^tblng new, even if she has never dyed before. Ohodse any color at drug store. 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