The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-07-18
LFrom the Sacramento Union.1
NANCY jones' BABY.
A CALIFORNIA GULCH STORY.

through tue canyons. Inc tall pines Tossed
and bent their heads at each rude blast OF
tue storm. Masses of black clouds hung
like funeral pail oyer the mountains, and
the rain poured down in torrents.
Rabbit Creek bounded down its narrow
bed, carrying all before it, whirling and
writhing like huge serpent, taking way
with rapid leaps, bearing on its foaming
bosom mass of rubbish. Great logs and
stumps OF trees caught from their resting
places on some hillside, were borne on till
lost to sight Now and then sluice-box
came floating down until dashed to pieces
against bow lder, telling of disaster to some
poor miner further up fhe gulch. On, on,
swept the rushing waters, taking in their
rude embrace all that passed the path of
their fury.
Sudden and awful had been the coming
of the storm, as il delay had st strengthened its
power and given new energy to its ferceness.
Tnea came the change from wamth to cold
from rain to snow-and soon the rugged hills
were clothed in white, aud in the gulches
Were Piled huge drifts. Tie trees were
blast more rude than others stirred their
branches. the grateful limbs lifted their heads
and tossed about with joy at their relief.
The town of Rabbit Creek stands unshel-
tered on the hisides, and in its unprotected
state had been exposed to the fury OF the
storm. The small rude houses were rocked
BY every blast till they trembled on their
slight foundations.
In the principal bar-room of the town
were gathered the greater part of the male
population. 1t was large room, with tables
scattered around its sides; in the center
stood billiard table, the boast and pride of
the proprietor, and he had often been heard
to say:
''See that billiard table? 1t cost fortune
to set that ere piece of furniture up IN my
saloon."-And then, as surprise and wonder
was depicted on the face of bis listener, the
owner of that ''ere table, would give the
astonishing information that ''Sae was pack
ed across the mountains on a mule''
In the corner stood the mammoth stove, and
alon gside of it pile of logs, for ample were
the heating accommodations of cold McKen-
ze's' saloon, and the larger part OF the
crowd were gathered around its warm sides
taking in its cheering heat. The smiling
hosts rubcund countenance shown like
new brass tea-kettle, as he rushed around
attending to the wants of his patrons. He
finally addressed one of the crowd near the
stove with:
81 say, Jake, it's started in good. You
were in luck; if you had been a day later yon
would have had to come over on snow-shoes."
The answer came in voice sngularly low
and sweet, for the person spoken to as Jake
was man of great size, and as he stood
with his back to the stove, his heavy coat
almost reaching the floor, he looked like a
giant. There was an Undesirable air OF
refinement and grace about the man, and the
face that looked out from under the broad
brimmed hat was one handsome and yet sad.
Yes, Mac; l was lucky, as you say; and if
il keeps on in this way Ions, we shall be
blockaded for couple of weeks -
On1 or two more OF the crowd here gave
their opinions as to the chances for a hard
winter: but their conversation came to an
abrupt termination as the door of the saloon
opened with rush, and in came figure
which at first looked like mass of snow, but
by dint OF much shaking and stamping Of
feet, it finally assumed tie shape of man,
who, as he pulled of his heavy coat, disclosed
to the crowd the wellknown features OF the
only doctor on Rabbit Creek
A run OF salutations greeted him from
all sides, for D.. Holmes was man respected
by old and young. He had pale, refined
face, with the sharpest of gray eyes looking
out from jet-black eyebrows, aud people said
when the doctor got riled those gray ewes
snapped and glared, giving the person who
met his displeasure some insight into the
character of the man they had to deal with
After the doctor had said, ''How are you
boys" he turned to Mckenzie and called for
drink, when his eye caught sight of the
tuii u5uLC NY buC SbONc, duu J1tu CAME.
why. Jake Morse. how are you?"
The same low, sweet voice answered.
First rate, Doc; how are you? Come get
near the stove and put some wamth into your
bones. Who is sick in town? It's a bad
night even for doctor to be out.'
The doctor made his way to the stove
and. as he did so, said:
swell, / will tell you something that will
surprise you and every one in Rabbit Creek"
nuudS xxl,inl I1o1 Hoo,
different parts of the large room, engaged in
playing cards or talking over tn last news
from Frisco, gathered round the doctor, or
neglected their occupation, to hear what he
had 10 say, for a SUI prise at Rabbit Gre k
was novelty. Mckenzie handed the doctor
his drink, and as he stood with the steaming
glass in hs hand he said in a low voice:
Nancy Jones has got a babyp'
For moment everything was as quiet as
the grave-the only sound was the click, click
OF the spoon as the doctor stirred up the con-
tents OF the glass. It was only for a moment,
aud then up jumped Pat Moran, a little reu-
wniskerei Irishr1dn, who had face in which
humor aud good nature were the chief char
acterstics. and nOied as being the nosiest
and smallest man in the camp. Getting on
one OF the many tables, he, in loud voice,
called for:
'sThree cheers for Nancy Jones' baby"
a.
1t. they one and all gave three such cheer9 as
W 'uld have frightened civilized being out of
his wits. Then followed a scene of confu-
SION. All manner of questions were poured
in upon the poor doctor. ''What is it-a bow
or grip aud Pat Moran saws, "If it is a
boy, docther, dallint, call him after me-"
The doctor stated that it was girl, and a
very fine one. At this information, Pat
Moran expressed his disgust to the effect
that ''he had the divirs own luck and that
The should niver rest quiet in his grave till
he stud godfather to baby, for sure it's
next TO Being the father of oneo
linen followed propositions TO drink the
health of mother and child, which were
checked by the doctor, who, after continued
efforts made himself heard. Pat Moran
equal to the occasion, took the top OF his
favolite table, and yelled:
whist! We devils an sure the Doc wishes
to address yees on the topic of the day.
Then DR.. Holmes said:
'Boys, am sorry to destroy all your pleas
ure. but have seen that tonight down at
the Log House which has made me. doctor
as L am, and used to sorrow and suffering.
shed tears. It's with great pain [ tell YOU
that Nancy Jones and her baby must both
die"
AS the doctor said this, low hum passed
around The room, and one could see the gruf
and rugged faces OF those men change color
and grow pale, while their hands cIenched
to 5ether to prevent the feelings they wished
to conceal. Then Jake Morse said, in low
voice:
'Doc, what's the matter? Can't Won save
one OF them; can we do anythinpp 7 don't
think there is man in the room but would
risk his life tc do the poor woman and her
child a service" NN ~,
And from many a bearded mouth emma
words which if not elegant, were forcibIe az
their will to do all and everything f., save
the mother and her child
The doctor looked around for moment
and then said:
Boys, you know as well as that Nancy
Jones is what is called fallen woman-that
she is beyond the pale of responsibility; but
you VIII not contradict me when say that If
one OF you were sick and needed some one
TO watch by your sick bed, she would be the
first to offer her services, You all remember
Wneh Bill Chips lay dying at Sawpit Flat
now she nursed him for weeks, and when
at last death came, she closed his ewes. and
% wrote g 70 his friends, telling them of poor