Desert Dust

ER ACQU

hrough train yards occupied to the fullest by car shops, round house, piled-up freight depot, stacks of ties and iron, and tracks covered with frei

en country. The landscape was pleasing, but the real sights probably l

and long hair and large hats, with revolvers hanging from the 23 racks above them or from the seat ends; one or two white-faced gentry in broadcloth and patent-leather shoes-who I fancied might be gamblers such as now and then plied their trade upon the Hudson River boats; two Indians in blankets; Eastern tourists, akin to myself; women and

ueezed by her she immediately fished for a packet of lunch. We had thirty minutes at Fremont-ample time in which to discuss a very excellent meal of ante

the conductor and the brakeman, at table. She bestowed upon me a subtle glance of recognition-with a smile and a slight bow in one; but I failed to

xhausted her repertoire, for she slumbered at ease, gradually sinking into a shapeless mass, her flowered bonnet askew. Several other passengers also were sleeping;

d by an isolated shack or a lonely traveler by horse or wagon, but in the main a vast sun-baked dead sea of gentle, silent undulations extending, brownish, clear to the horizons. The only refreshing sights were the Platte River, flowing blue and yellow among sand-bars and isla

d well fortified by another excellent meal at the not exorbitant price, one dollar and a quarter. There had been buffalo mea

was still escorted by the conductor, who in his brass buttons and officious air began to irritate me. Such a persistent squire of dames rather o

west," my seat companion addressed, "you jest follow me when I leave. We get to North Platte after plumb dark, and you

will take advantage of your kindness," I ev

ive! Benton!" And she sniffed. 26 "Why, in Benton they'll

herself for

, you give me a poke with your elbow. I wouldn't

s hair; and from gold to lemon which tinted all the prairie and made it beautiful. Pur

removing their boots and shoes and coats and galluses and stretching out; the women by loosening their stays, with significant clicks and sighs, and laying

and inquired right and left on h

r North

nton, Wyomin

p to the car ahead. This

we reach Nor

don't want to be waked up, you'd be

wed him out. He indica

bit farther on; then you'll

eyes, rather well soused, as they say; but fortune had favored me-across the aisle, only a coupl

Platte. This car was the place for me, set apart by the salient presence of one person among a

ravel by night, then more soundly when the "gentleman," my comrade in adventure,

osphere was heavy with oil smell and the exhalations of human beings in all sta

toilet, so I hastily staggered to achieve my own by aid of the water tank, tin basin, roller towel and sm

e train. I stepped out upon

th, east, west, save as denoted by the sun, broadly launching his first beams of the day. Behind us the single track of double rails stretched straight away as if clear to the Missouri. The dull blare of the car wheels was the only t

inmen and by an operator's shack. Smoke was welling from the chimney of the shack-and that domestic touch gave me a sense of

s figures, horseback, whom I took to be wild Indians, surveyed us from a distant sand-hill. Across the river there appeared a fung

less fashion the car door opened and closed. I turned my head. The

e apologized, but I felt that the dif

madam," I assured. "There

the worst is over. We shall not have to spend

to her. "We are fellow-trave

word: the end. It is not a popular word, in the

wide débris of tin cans, scattered sheet-iron, stark mud-and-stone

is Jule

n?" I

y inhabitants now are in the st

hers? Where

. Many of the

n North Platt

in the Platte! A young man like you would die of ennui in North Platte. Julesburg was a good town while it lasted. People lived, there; and moved on because they wished to keep alive. What is life, anyway, bu

d been accustomed to in womankind; and yet

st the joking, ma

n to your gallantry." She glanced behind her, through the door window into the car. "Will you," she asked hastily, "

mall silver flask, stoppered with a tiny screw c

k liquor, mada

quite a necessity. You will discover that, I am sure. You will not decli

heart, mada

ion of the train; passed the cup to

is the custom, is

r. I do the honors. P

tance, then, madam," I

hroat like a stab of hot o

ontinued beginnings, no ends."

eman issued, stumping noisily and bringing discord in

inutes." He grinned affably at her; yes, wit

rrogation as if to ask how far he intended to push acquaintance. "We

or me she passed inside. The brakeman leaned for a

of yours

aha, is all," I

eh?" He eyed me. "You'r

s,

self. She's another h

I remon

'm saying nothing against it, for that matte

nted with the l

33 line between Platte and Cheyenne. Been r

n, though, I unders

re from Cheyenne." He looked at me

mitted. "I see no reas

of people moved from Cheyenne

marrie

ord, that cuts no great figger. People here don't stand on ceremony in those matte

as a little to

is in busines

finger alongside his nose, and winked wisely. "You

epeated. "On w

n your

on; cert

een in my eye, fri

do

he moon,

" I retorted. "But wh

?" He sniffed suspiciously. "A few swigs of that'll make a pioneer of you quicker'n alkali. She's

gentlemen, particularly as my acquaintance with her is only casual. I don't understand

n Benton you'll have the world by the tail as long as it holds. She moves with the top-notchers; she's a knowing little piece-no offense. Her and me are g

y 35 physician had advised a place in the Far

identical with

he ticket. It's sure high, and sure dry.

anded at last. The wor

best days they ever seen. When you step off at Benton step lively and keep an eye in the back of your head. There's money to be made

oney," I informed. "But I

winked. "You're not a bad-looking young feller." He leaned over the side steps, and gazed ahead. "Sidney in sight. Be th