In A Short Time Faye Joined Us, And Just
Before Twelve I Came In To See If Everything Was In Its Proper Place
On The Table.
As I went down the hall I saw a sight in the dining room
that sent shivers down my back.
On the table were one or two doilies,
and one or two of various other things, and at one side stood the
Scotch treasure with a plate in one hand upon which were a few butter
balls, and in the other she held a butter pick. The doors leading
through pantry into the kitchen were open and all along the floor I
could see here and there a little golden ball that had evidently
rolled off the plate. I could also see the range - that looked black
and cold and without one spark of fire!
Going to the side of the table opposite Ellen I said, "Ellen, what is
the matter with you?" - and looking at me with dull, heavy eyes, she
said, "And what is the matter wit' you?" Then I saw that she was
drunk, horribly drunk, and told her so, but she could only say, "I'm
drunk, am I?" I ran outside for Faye, but he and Mrs. Hughes had
walked to the farther end of the officers' line, and I was compelled
to go all that distance before I could overtake them and tell of my
woes. I wanted the woman out of the house as quickly as possible, so
that Miller - who is a very good cook - and I could prepare some sort of
a breakfast. Faye went to the house with his longest strides and told
the woman to go at once, and I saw no more of her. Mrs. Hughes was
most lovely about the whole affair - said that not long ago she had
tried a different cook each week for six in succession. That was
comforting, but did not go far toward providing a breakfast for us.
Miller proved to be a genuine treasure, however, and the sergeant's
wife - who is ever "a friend indeed" - came to our assistance so soon we
scarcely missed the Scotch creature. Still, it was most exasperating
to have such an unnecessary upheaval, just at the very time we had a
guest in the house - a dainty, fastidious little woman, too - and wanted
things to move along smoothly. I wonder of what nationality the next
trial will be! If one gets a good maid out here the chances are that
she will soon marry a soldier or quarrel with one, as was the Case
with Hulda. For some unaccountable reason a Chinese laundry at Sun
River has been the cause of all the Chinamen leaving the post.
Now I must tell of something funny that happened to me.
The morning before Mrs. Hughes arrived I went out for a little ride,
and about two miles up the river I left the road to follow a narrow
trail that leads to a bluff called Crown Butte.
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