Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-26


cigars were forced upon him, regardless
Of their fabulous prices Even real
champagne was drank on several occa-
sions in honor of the arrival Of this dis
tinguished gentleman.
At any hour of the day, and almost at
any time at night, our visitor could be
seen at some cabin, with his legs ele-
vated, with cigar in his mouth, and a
bottle OF inspiring beverage at his side.
Go where he would, he was truly wei
come guest.
"Are you acquainted with Mr. Win
tel" said miner to me, after that gen.
tleman had been with us two days. in
formed him that | was Then said he
Il presume you know that he has four
marriageable daughters
Five, said +
Four, said the miner; he told me
so himself, and as see him coming we
will soon find out who is right BY the
way, / believe he drinks
Mr.. Winter having approached us,
said to him that my young friend and
myself were having dispute relative to
the size of his family. This young gem
tleman will insist said ], that you told
him that you had only four daughters,
while / am equally confident that you
informed me that you had five.
" Well, pom my soul, said Mr.. Win
ter, this is really capital joke. Still
harping on my daughters, as the poet
says. 1t is but natural after all the
youth of one sex should feel deep in
terest in the youth of the other. In
this instance you are both right You
see, sometimes, include my youngest
daughter Clarinda, and sometimes !
don't l can hardly realize that she has
reached woman estate. This explana-
ton, ! trust, will explain my apparent
Inconsistency. But TO change the topic,
| was Just conversing with brother
miner think they call him Mr.. Limp
ing Jake, and stated to him what | am
now going to relate to you. | told the
gentleman referred to that | was man
who INDUCED in no superfuity of words.
] told him that was plain, blunt man:
that | had large family of daughters,
and that was poor, and unable to bring
my family from Marysville to this place
unless assisted pecuniarly by some of
the mners-or, in other words, that !
required the spondulix. ] stated that |
was not mendicant, and simply asked
the loan of the Insignificant sum Of three
or four hundred dollars-to be restored,
of course, Immediately after the estab-
lishment of the Miners Home. Mr.
Limping Jake is now getting mp a sub
scription with view of placing me in
possession of that amount
n lzA
not a doubt of his obtaining the amount
specified, and even more, if his necessi-
ties required 1t.
The next day Mr.. Limping Jake had
received and transferred to Mr.. Winter
the sum of three hundred and fifty dol
lars, our poet demanding that he
should have the honor Of heading the
list with the largest sum.
Mr.. Winter having informed us that
he would now depart by the very first
stage, we invited him to parting dinner.
On this occasion, as on former ones, our
guest proved himself good eater, but
demonstrated the fact that drinking was
his particular forte.
After the disappearing of about a
gallon of whisky, Mr.. Winter seemed to
be obl.vious of the fact that he was
man of few words. The roaring OF
Niagara was not more uneeasing than
was the sound of his voice. He assured
us that we had been too generous-too
kind. That he did not merit all the con-
sideration which had been bestowed upon
him--that we had been too magnanimous
beyond his deserts. He talked until he
could talk no more, and having assured
us, in peroration, that he would bet his
bottom dollar on red eye, fell under
the table and was soon sound asleep,
The next morning at daylight he. took
his departure.
The mysterious aud incredible part of
this story is yet untold Its conclusion
will reveal wonderful phenomenon in |
nature, involving a most singular disar-
of the seasons.
The winds have howled and whistled |
for many long year through the leafy !
trees. about that old mountain home. |
The days and nights have oftentimes
been so cold that the weary miners have !
clung close to the bright blaze of their !
fires. Mountains have been capped with |
snow, aud ravines congealed with ice;
still Winter came not Spring, summer !
and autumn have departed and returned |
at the appointed time. and flowers have |
withered at the north winds breath"
bnt. alasl alas Winter came nevermore. I