The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-05-08

sticks closer to yer ribs and don't leave no
headache behind. Then, again, it's a
home production, and l alters allow that
a man as don't patternise home products
amt worth shucks. So, barkeep, yer may
jiss pass over yer corn juice"
"Will you take bitters or sugar, sir?"
Sugar or bitters in licker? Not by a
derned sight! When 1 drink Ticker I
drink it for itself, and not for bitters or
other ADMINISTRATIONS. I sorter imagine
that yer don't reckon I'm from Pike COun-
ty, Missoury, or you wouldn't ask me if l
drank sugar or bitters in my Ticker! No
stree Bob! l alters drinks my Ticker
straightr'
A bottle was placed before him. Pour
ing glass nearly full, Gabe raised it in
his hand, held it between the light and
his eye, and after gazing at it affection
atcly for u few moments said:
Heres to we uns, may we all have
heaps of luck and water when the winter
breaks"
"We'll all drink to that" exclaimed the
miners, as they raised the glasses to their
lips and poured the liquid fire down their
Threats.
"As remarked, when first came in,
times are right peart on Rabbit Greek,
'aint they?'
Eyes, sorter, kind O. peart, " responded
one of the group. "The fact is, times
have been Internally dull for long
while, and twas necessary for to do some
thing to burst the shell. Things having
got boost, there is right smart chance
of peartness going on"
The speaker was the proprietor of faro
game, who, being anxious to cultivate r .,,r
Husker's acquaintance, sOuot.. 70 improve
the occasion. He vas a large-framed,
bull-necked uark-eyed, scowling-counte.
nanccseu fellow, known by the name of
I Chadwick, who, rumor declared, had, since
his advent into California, killed one or
two men, and robbed great many others !;
but, during his residence on Rabbit Greek,
he had conducted himself in manner to
| give no offense. His features were marked
with several deep scars, which gave evil
dence of his having participated in many
! a desperate combat, while the bOwie-knite
and revolver in his belt indicated that he
was prepared for war at any moment.
BY eleven o'clock between three hun
dred and four hundred miners had assem-
less under the influence of LIQUOR. The
gamblers, after treating all hands until
| they began to show symptoms of inebria-
ton, opened their little games and COM
menced winning the money of those who
were foolish enough to play. Around
each table could be seen crowd of hardy
fellows betting their hard-earned dust and
indulging in rude jests and boisterous
| laughter The harsh oath that would oc-
casionally escape from the lips of some of
the players gave evidence that luck could
not prevail against scientific attainments
in the art of cheating, and that the gam
blers were making hay while the sun
shOne.
After the MONDAY meal had been dis
posed Of, the committee of arrangements
set to work to arrange the preliminaries
for the snow.shoe race. Judges, time
keepers, referees, starters, ETC., were APP
pointed, rules established, and everything
fixed in consonance with the ideas of a
majority of the committee. Then those
who were to take part in the contest were
notified to appear at the starting-post.
The judges took their positions; those
who had been absorbed in gambling for
sock the tables, and sought places from
whence good view of the race could be
had
When the hour for starting arrived, the
signal was given and the contestants
bounded off with the speed of lightning.
AT the last moment woman appeared
upon the scene and started with the others.
She was evidently an expert in the use of
the snow-shOes, and passed several of the
Those who were watching the race be-
came fcarfully excited, and whenever the
woman would succeed in passing one of
the racers they would make the welkin
ring with their shouts of joy and encour-
agement.
"WhO is she?" was asked on all sides,
but no one answered the question.
1t is not my intention to give a descrip-
ton of the snow-shOe race, nor to paint
picture of the exciting contest. only al
lude to it for the purpose Of giving the
reader clue to what is yet to come. The
race was soon over, and was won by the
mysterious female, who had been materi-
ally aided by the wind catching in the
skirts of her dress.
Perhaps her success may partially have
been caused by the gallantry of the other
contestants, who thought it would be un-
gentlemanly to beat a woman. But of this
we cannot speak knowingly.
There were but two or three females on
Rabbit Creek at the time of which we
write, and consequently great curiosity
prevailed to learn which one had entered
the lists and carried off the prize, and no
sooner had the contestants crossed the
home mark than the crowd rushed for
ward and surrounded them.
"Who is she:" cried dozen voices, the
owners of which were pushing with might
and main to get glimpse of the lady's
features.
The victor threw back the bonnet and
veil that covered and concealed her fea-
lures, and revealed the face of man
bearded like pard.
''Oh, pshaw! faint no woman, after
all" exclaimed Hank Seymour, as he ell
bowed his way from the center of the
circle
"Then who in thunder is it," asked one
who was using his best efforts to get
sight of the champion.
"Well, I'm DANCED eff that ar woman
don't turn out to be Jim Whitman, who
lives over on t. other side of the HILL"
said Gabe Husker, whose curiosity APP
peared to have been satisfied. "Jim has
been playing roots on the boys, and is a
thousand dollars better off for havin' dun
so. But dog me eff l don't think the race
| ought to be run over again. / wouldn't
stand being cheated that way eff I was one
of EN-"
At this moment fierce, angry words
were heard within the circle. Several
persons appeared to be taking part in the
dispute, and again the crowd pressed for
ward to see what was the matter Sud-
denly the sharp report of pistol rung out
aud the crowd which had formed the cir
Gle fled pell NELL. Turning quickly,
Husker saw that murder had been COM
mitted. The winner of the purse was w..
ing motiOnlcss upon the snow, while the
blood, pouring in stream from hole in
his bosom, was rapidly crimsoning the
ground. The bullet had passed through
his heart, and death had been instantane-
Gus. A few feet distant stood Chadwick,
coolly returning his revolver to it's resting
place in the scabbard which hung over
his hip.
"What have yer been a doing?" yelled
Husker as he jumped toward the muir
dcrer.
erin q nr;y; a harm oLrnl hts x1o.A,,4s