The Inspiration 3 



Festivities began with the "house-warming," which oc- 

 curred even before the roads were made, though twenty 

 or thirty homes were built, and others under way. It 

 happened to be a Fourth of July the flag had been 

 broken out on the tall staff for the first time at dawn 

 and fireworks lighted the way for the settlers as they 

 came through the sagebrush, or new-plowed fields. In 

 spite of the season, it was cool enough, in that land of 

 divine nights, to justify a modest blaze in the great 

 cobblestone chimney, in token of hospitality. Every- 

 body came in the best they had. Even dress-suits were 

 worn by those who had them. 



The affair was more than a "house-warming," more 

 than a social function. It sounded a new note a note 

 of absolute democratic fellowship, for everybody was 

 formally invited and everybody came; a note, too, of 

 distinction, for it was then and there understood that 

 the social and intellectual life of the community was 

 to be placed on the highest possible plane, and stead- 

 fastly maintained at that level. Moreover, it was an- 

 nounced that on the following Thursday afternoon, and 

 every Thursday thereafter, the hostess would receive 

 the ladies of the community in her big reception room ; 

 that every lady was cordially invited ; that these affairs 

 were designed to be as fine in all respects as they would 

 be in any town or city of the land; and that in that 

 spirit each person was urged to do her part. 



And the ladies responded with alacrity and the utmost 

 good will. There were no absentees; no one was ever 

 tardy; no one ever wore less than her best. Among 

 them were wives of professional and business men of 

 liberal culture and wide social experience. There were 



