The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-01-03
MISCELLANY.
DAISY'S MISSION.

HELL-RoARING BAR was neither il pretty
nor euphoni0us name, nor a reyerentlal
one, but considering the character Of its
dwellers, it was all exceedingly fitting one,
for the locality that bore it. A six months
residence there convinced me so thorough
ly of this fact that | could not cOnscien-
tiously have changed a single letter of the
name, even had J. possessed the power to
do so. Not that fit savored of sulphurous
odors; not that the roarings of its appar-
ent patron saint were ever heard echoing
among thecanons that encompassedit, but
for sinfulness and wiekedness and riotous
debauehery, it was peerless among all the
mining camps | have ever visited III Cali
tornia.
[ was sent there in the summer of 1853
by San Francisco firm, to close out
business that was drifting into involuntary
bankruptcy, and a long dusty ride found
me there early III June of that year. A
view of the camp from the mountain had
not impressed me favorably with it,
and a nearer acquaintance only confirmed
that first impression, but like half reluc-
tant bridegroom, X had resolved to take it
for I" better or worse" with but slight
hope. however, that it would prove any
better than it looked.
Hello! deacon. What do you want in
Hell-Roarin'2 Preachers don't stand much
show in these diggins. You amt wanted;
better git 20
This was my! greeting. | had just
alighted from my mule, tired and out OF
humor, and felt lialf inclined to resent the
brusque, unmannerly salutation, but did
NOT. 1t was not consciousness of the
truth that quieted me, for my appearance
was certainly slightly clerical. True, [
had perfect right to differ in opinion with
the speaker, for of a verify this was just
the place where preachers were wanted,
and just the place they should stay; but,
making no profession of godliness held
my tongue for moment. | looked up; q
brawny and powerful figure confronted
me, and prudently held my temper. /
replied blandIy that expected to remain
there a while, and suggested, with all
meekness, that appearances We're some
times deeeitful. Soon the Bar was agog
with curiosity, and crowd gathered. And
such a crowd Great, broad-shouldered
fellows, dirty and ,Inshaven, deeply marked
with chronic dissipation, whose every
second word was an oath; striplings whose
tongues were Yolubly impudent and early
trained to blasphemy in imitation of their
elders, gathered round, while | unsaddled
my mule in so awkward manner as to
excite derision. These people weighed
everything, like their gold dust, in their
own scales, and, measured by their stand
ard, / was regarded rs worthless impos-
tor. | had Store clothes'' on, and this
fact alone was too much for the fixed con-
ventionalism of The Bar. Buckskin and
gray flannel assumed dignity in early
times among the ''honest miners more
unyielding, more exacting, than purple
and fine linen My 'sboiled Shirt was con-
considered an inffaction, and therefore the
from mouth to mouth. Bets were offered
and freely taken that i was psalm-singer !;
a gambler, witha ttdead thing, or 'swaxed
keerds;" a lawyer; doctor; anything
but horse Jockey, or a gentleman. Al
though nettled with the uncourteous re-
ception, could not afford to fall out with
my new neighbors. Beating my dusty
hat against my knee with a wellassumed
swagger, turned quietly, and asked If the
Bar was dry? Aid the Bar was dry!
With whoop, the crowd adjourned to
the saloon-a rickety. clap-board institu-
ton, furnished with few stools and rough
tables-and the Bar drank-first with my
self; then with Joe Miles, the proprietor
then with the blutfindividual who had first
aeeosted me. Pressing through the crowd,
ne held out his big, rough hand, and, tax
ing mine, he led me forward with some
thing of a triumphant air.
Boys he said, II take it all back.
This is my old, OLD skipper; came out with
him from Bostonfin 40. He aint preach
er-he spends his money like man, and
don't whine. Anyone that don't like him
can call on Bill Thorp. That's me boys.
Let's take suthint.'s
Finding that things had taken an unex-
pected turn, Immediately took advantage
of the new situation. Thorp stood sponsor
for me, and his emphatic assurance of my
unpreacher-like character and proper dis
regard of the value of money put the Bar
In good humor ;Iso | explained my busf
ness. and hoped To deserve well of the boys,
And won the friendship of these people
not by pandering to their tastes or falling
into their practices, but by ninding my
nbusiness. While abstaining from rub
bing against theis prejudices, and scrupnl
ously avoiding all interference with theil
pleasures, | sympathized with them in al
their little troubles, aud they respected NE
The Bar, by day did not seem to be a very
bad or boisterious place; in working hour
ft t,faenI a Hind oY f.lyfar.i21a rkaSf Rll