LIFE IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.
But the first months of her life in Council Bluffs were quiet ones. They gave her opportunity to gain the much needed rest which years of labor and activity had rendered necessary. She spent many hours in roaming over the bluffs and valleys. Life seemed to have opened a new page for her, and in its daily duties she found sufficient employment. The population of the city was small and social intercourse amongst its members, as in all new western communities, was pleasant and unconventional. Everybody knew everybody else, and all whose characters were clean and untarnished met each other on a footing of perfect equality. All attended the same church and all joined in the same festivities. It was in many respects an ideal state of society; being far away from railroads and the great centres of population, there was great exemption from the cares and anxieties of older communities. Housekeeping was the first duty that fell upon Mrs. Bloomer, and she strove to make her new home pleasant and inviting. It soon became the resort of many new as well as old friends. People coming to the city very often desired to meet her and she always received them kindly, extending to all a generous welcome. With her husband she early joined with others in the organization of a literary club, taking an active part in its proceedings.