The fear and
dread of him is on my mind day and night.
FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY,
December, 1873.
EVERYONE in the garrison seems to be more or less in a state of
collapse! The bal masque is over, the guests have departed, and all
that is left to us now are the recollections of a delightful party
that gave full return for our efforts to have it a success.
We did not dream that so many invitations would be accepted at
far-away posts, that parties would come from Fort Leavenworth, Fort
Riley, Fort Dodge, and Fort Wallace, for a long ambulance ride was
necessary from each place. But we knew of their coming in time to make
preparations for all, so there was no confusion or embarrassment.
Every house on the officers' line was filled to overflowing and
scarcely a corner left vacant.
The new hospital was simply perfect for an elaborate entertainment.
The large ward made a grand ballroom, the corridors were charming for
promenading, and, yes, flirting, the dining room and kitchen perfect
for the supper, and the office and other small rooms were a nice size
for cloak rooms. Of course each one of these rooms, big and small, had
to be furnished. In each dressing room was a toilet table fitted out
with every little article that might possibly be needed during the
evening, both before and after the removal of masks. All this
necessitated much planning, an immense amount of work, and the
stripping of our own houses.
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