Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-11-07
NANCY JONES BABY.
a CALIFORNIA GULcH STORY

I
rushed through the canyons. The tai
pines tossed and bent their heads a
each rude blast of the storm. Masse
of black hung like funeral pail owe
the mountains, and the rain poured
down in torrents.
Rabbit Greek bounded down its mar
row bed, carrying al before it, whirl
ing and writhing ike a huge serpent
taking way with rapid leaps, bearin.
ON its foaming bosom mass of rub
bish. Great logs and stumps of trees
caught from their resting places OIL
some hillside, were born on till lost Il
sight. Now and then sluice- boz
came floating down till dashed to piece,
against bowlder, telling of disaster
to some poor miner further up The
gulcb. On, en-, swept the rushing wa
ters, taking in their rude embrace al
that crossed the path of their fury.
Sudden and awful had been the
coming of the storm, as if delay haC
strengthened its powers and given new
energy to its fereeness. Then came
the change from warmth tocold-fron
rain TO snow-and soon the rugged hills
we're clothed in white, and IN the
gulches were piled huge drifts. The
whirling masses were borne on and
scattered. The trees were heavy with
their burden, and when some blast
more rude than others stirred their
branches, the grateful limbs lifted their
heads and tossed about with joy al
their relief
The town of Rabbit Creek stands
unsheltered on the hillsides, 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. ltwss large
room, with tables scattered around its
sides; in the center stood a billiard
table, the boast aud pride of the pro-
prietor, and he had often been heard
to say:
- See that billiard table? 1t cost a
forum to set that ere piece Of furni-
ture up in my saloon" And then. as
surprise and wonder was depicted on
the face of his listener, the owner of
that ere table" would give the aston
ishing information that She was
packed across the mountains on q
mule.
In the corner stood a mammoth
stove, and alongside sf it pile of
logs, ioramplewere the heating acc ON
modations of old McKe enzie s saloon,
and the larger part of the crowd were
gathered around its warm sides taking
in its cheering heat The smiling
hosts rubicund countenance shOne
like new brass tea kettle, us he
rushed around attending to the wants
of his patrons. He finally addressed
one Of the crowd near the stove with !:
Il say, Jake, it's started in good.
You were in luck: if you had been a
day later you would have had to come
over on ow-shOes.
The answer came in voice singu-
larly low and sweet, for the person
spoken to as Jake was a man of great
size, aud as he stood with his back TO
the stove, his heavy coat almost reach
ing the floor, he looked like giant.
There was an indescribable air OF re-
finement and grace about the man, and
the face that looked ont from under
the broad brimmed hat was one hand
some and yet sad
Yes, Mac; | was lucky, as you say
and if it keeps on III this way long, We
shall be blockaded for a couple OF
weeks"
One or two more of the crowd here
gave their opinions as to the chances
for hard winter; bat their convcrsa-
ton came TO an abrupt termination as
the door of the saloon opened with u
rush, and in came figure which at
first looked like mass of snow, but
by dint of much shakingand stamping
of feet, it finally assumed the shape OF
a man, who, as he pulled off his heavy
coat, disclosed the well-known feat
ures Of the only doctor on Rabbit
Greek.
A run of salutations greeted him
from all sides, for DIR. Holmes was q
man respected by old and young. He
had a pale, refined face, with the
sharpest Of gray eyes looking out from
jet-blaek eyebrows, and people said
whe i the doctorgotriled those graye es
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 tall figure by the
stove. and then came:
why, Jake MOrse, how are you?
The same low, sweet voice answered
First rate, Doc: how are you? Come
get nearthe stove andput some warmth
INTO your bones. Who is sick in town:
Its bad night for even a doctor tC
to be out.
The doctor made his way to the
stove, aud. as he did so, said:
We'll, | will tell you something
that Will surprise you aud every one il
Rabbit Greek"
The crowds which had been scat
tered IN different parts Of the large
room, Engaged in playing cards or ia K
ing over the last news from Frisco
gathered round the doctor, or neglected
their occupation, to hear what he has
to say, for q surprise at Rabbit CreeL
was a novelty. Nckenz handed tn,
doctor his drink, and as he stood Will
the steaming glass in his hand he said
in low voice:
Nancy Jones has got baby
For a moment everything was a.
quiet as the grave-the only sound wat
/ the click, click of the spoon as tht
doctor slowly stirred up the contenu
/ oftha glass. ltwas only for moment
and ihen up jumped Pat Moran, lit
! tie red wh;skered Irishman, who ha,
a face in which humor aud good natur'
were the e.lief characteristics, ant
noted as being The noisiest and smalles
man in the camp Getting ON one o
many tables. he, in loud voice, ealle'
for
Three cheers for Nancy Jone'
baby"
Then. as if every mans life depend
cd on it, they one and ali gave thre
such cheers as would have frightene,
a civilized being out OF his wits. The
followed scene of confusion. Al
| manner Of questions were poured il
anon the poor doctor. What is it
boy or girl?' and Pat Moran SAYS
If il is boy. docther. dariint, cal
him afther me" The doctor state,
that it was girl. aud very fne Que
Atthis information, Pat Moran ex