Arizona citizen., 1872-11-02
A Sunday Night in Pioche.
[ From The Pioche Review, Oct. ' 1


 Yesterday was one of the most de- hghtful intervals of weather ever re- aized in any country, and the streets were as live with men as an anthill with ants. We say men, for the dis proportion of the sexes Is quite strik- ing, though there IS goodly per- centsge of the fair-as well as foul. But the honest miner is here in all his '49 glory-his proudest boast Is the long time he has tramped it here in his wild way. The whole history of the Pacific Coast is here spread out in living pages-gay, devil-may care, sad and lonely; hopeful as ever, and played out as well; 8 forty-corpse graveyard down the mountain side, that speaks in silent tones of the sweet music of the revolver and gleam of the bowie knife. Aud over all the quiet stars shed as tranquil light as though this was not g. wicked world and this most ungodly part thereof. About seven o'clock last evening, we strolled up Meadow Valley street, in- dulging in glimpse at the different tableaus set forth on either side Each picture would require column to do 1t justice. Cards and whisky were the predominating attractions but there were crowds of men in every conceiv- able condition of dress, and here and there what Milton said of Sin--''W hat seemed woman to the waist and fair, but ended foul in many 8 scaly fold. " But they were as much women as the men were men, and we don't know but of the two human evils she is the least. At one place we saw her deal ing monte and faro-at another she fights the tiger herself. Every na- tionality under the sun is represented in these struggling, sweaty, sweet scented crowds. Music adds special charm to the scene, and one Is com pelled to listen, if not look on. A voice with more energy than cultiva- tion, is heard accompanied by piano and violin, and all combine to tell us i'll the language of Scotch tune, that the world itself is only "a castle In the air." and the chief end of man to go 1t while he's young. We pass along to the dance house, where the motley character of Pioche society is more definitely set forth. The devils social of Tam O'Shanter was 8 full dress, high toned affair i'll comparison. The poor hurdles are put through S series of modern dances in 0 manner that would discount the devil beating tan bark, until they look like batch of dusty, wilted vegetables, A little farther along. is whole saloon full of men indulging in a gay song, the clinking of glasses and stamping of boot heels; they literally make Rome howl A few rods farther up, and the passer-by Is opposite the cottage like cages of the "soiled doves. " Everything betokens Q standing in vltation to go in and make yourself at home-for the time. h the midst of these sinful scenes and "sounds of deviltry by night, the church. bell Is heard on the hill still farther up. 1t chips in " like the voice of one crying in the wilderness alive with all sorts of wild and unclean beasts. But by and by it gathers volume, and converts the howlIng jungle into peaceful grove, musical with the songs of birds. The increasing at- tendance noticeable at the churches, is worthy of special mention. But the devil still has the upper hand in Pioche of Sunday nights. In short, he throws sizes where the Lord isn't deuce high.