The life and labors of Bishop Hare, apostle to the Sioux . ften only a water-hole in the bedof what was sometimes a torrent, and again formany months without water save as ranche, a low log hut, sometimes two placednear together, the one for the accommodation oftravelers, the other for the occupants, and wherethe wretched food was prepared. The latterusually consisted of poor bacon swimming ingrease, and soda or saleratus biscuit, often asyellow as gold and smelling like soft soap fromthe excess of alkali. Sometimes fortunately itwas varied by potatoes, often wretchedly cooked,an
The life and labors of Bishop Hare, apostle to the Sioux . ften only a water-hole in the bedof what was sometimes a torrent, and again formany months without water save as ranche, a low log hut, sometimes two placednear together, the one for the accommodation oftravelers, the other for the occupants, and wherethe wretched food was prepared. The latterusually consisted of poor bacon swimming ingrease, and soda or saleratus biscuit, often asyellow as gold and smelling like soft soap fromthe excess of alkali. Sometimes fortunately itwas varied by potatoes, often wretchedly cooked,and—luxury of luxuries—stewed dried apples,and coffee prepared by adding a little freshcoffee to the grounds of any number of previousbrewings, and in a pot which never knew a cleans-ing. If pretense of a table cloth there were, itconsisted of a piece of worn oil-cloth moppedwith the dish-clout after the meal. The tablewas used as a lounging place or card-table bythe occupants of the ranche between roofs were of earth supported on poles whole. A PIONEER IN NIOBRARA 7S or split, with some hay under the earth. Bymice, or by natural gravitation, or by force ofthe wind, the earth often came peppering down,and when it rained heavily drops or streamletsof mud were hard to escape. The floors wereusually the virgin earth, and became saturatedwith filth, and the abode of innimaerable fleaswhich made Hfe wretched by day, or until theweary traveler sought relief in bed. Ah, thosebeds! the acme of luxury! so sleep-inviting totired, tormented flesh! A dirty tick stuffed withcoarse slough hay, unevenly disposed, no sheets,blankets or quilts, in constant use, seldom ornever aired or washed, caHco or mushn pillow-cases, sometimes very dirtj^. Not to show him-self entirely devoid of kindness to the lower an-imals, the tired traveler usually took to bed withhim a few of the aforementioned fleas. But hesoon found there were other orders of creationwhich demanded his attention, or thir
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Keywords: ., bookauthorharewilliamhobart1838, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910
