Go West

Abstract

Ella Gould discovers her husband's affection for Texie Head and writes her a letter asking her to give him up. George Gould finds a similar position with a girls' school in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He takes up his new responsibilities in late July, bringing his mother and his son George and hiring Bristow to teach. He asks Texie to teach too, but she declines, thinking Ella would her life there uncomfortable, not realizing that George had left his wife behind in Kentucky. This chapter details Las Vegas's history and geographical situation. On September 12, he learns by telegram that Ella has brought up charges of adultery, alcoholism, and abandonment before the Methodist Conference and that he must return for a church trial in October. He hurries back to Kentucky, leaving the impression in Las Vegas that he was simply returning to fetch his wife.