Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-13
Gales aud Sketthes.
MOUNTAIN CHARLIE.
BY JOHN TRUESDALE.

Some four years before l donned the
uniform of the boys-in-bue to go to the
wars. and while | was drifting about the
world seeking for some place where |
could find both employment and pecuniary
profit, fell in with friend who was as
needy as myself, and far more adventur-
Gus. He proposed that we should Join a
train of settlers then about to set off from
St. Louis for the new Ell Dorado, Pixies
Peak, where the gold fever was raging
high. He argued that, as we had little tC
lose, and much to gain, we might safely
make the venture. | consented to the
proposition, and we left New York for
st. Louis, travelling night and day, but
reaching the latter place only to find that
the train we had hoped to join had started
about the time we had left New York,
and was now far on its way to the Plains,
too far, indeed, for us to hope to over
take it, We were told. however. that a
party of miners who had come over from
the Peak few days before to deposit
their gold dust in safety to st. Louis, would
return shortly, and we were advised to
wait and join that party. Our informant
added, by way of inducement that Noun
tain Charlie was with them with his wag-
on. Who Mountain Charlie was we did
not then know, but it was not long before
we learned.
We made satisfactory arrangements
with the miners, and on the day appointed
set out with them for the land of our
hopes Our party consisted of about a
dozen men on horse back, and a wagon
well stocked with goods and provisions,
drawn by four stout horses, and driven by
the famous Mountain Charlie. This indi-
vidual was small, lithely-built fellow,
clad in the rough dress of the Plains,
which set off his well made figure to great
advantage. lie was, 10 an extent, effemi-
nate in appearance, but his face, which
was almost too delicate for man, seemed
too masculine for woman. 1t was clear
cut and smooth, without the slightest trace
OF beard, and his long black hair floating
in masses over it, gave his countenance a
wild, eltish appearance. His eyes were
large and brilliant, and his thin lips were
set with an expression of greater deter
mination than had ever seen on human
face. Although he was a singular looking
being, and could well believe the stories
my travelling companions told me about
him. In their eyes he was hero. He
was one of the most reckless and daring
men on the Plains, the best shot in the
country. the hardest to make drink, and
the most skillfh card player about Pixies
Peak, yet withal the most thoroughly gen
erous fellows in the world, He made
great deal of money by his team and by
cards, yet could never keep it. The re-
suit was that he became famous among
the rough, rude men at the Peak, many
of whom he had betriended.
AS we rode along watched him close
ly. He rode one of the horses of his team
and kept well in the advance. He did not
seem to care to have much to say to any
one, but amused himself singing in low
tone some wild, weird song, the. refrain
of which he would repeat over and over
again. Sometimes could catch a few
words as they fioa.ed by me, and they
breathed threat of vengeance for some
wrong. The manner of the man, and the
tone in which he sang, gave me an idea
that he was applying the song to himself
and uttering his threats against some rea
enemy. This was not strange, for was
in land where the law Of vengeance
was swift and sure, and where a wrong
was repaid with a promptness and vindic'
tiveness that would have seemed barbar