The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-03
THE uGLIssT MAN IN CAMP
A Taie OF Painter,s bar.

Fan Francisco ArEonaut. /
On certain day in November, 1850,
there meandered into the new mining
camp Of Painter Bar, State Of CalifOrnia,
an individual who was instantly pro-
pouneed, all voices concurring, the ugli.
eat man in the camp. The adjective ugly
was applied to the mans physiognomy
alone; but time soon gave the word, "a
applied 70 him, far wider significance
In TACT, The word was cot at all equal to
the requirements made Of il, aud this
was probably what Influenced the prefix
ing OF numerous adjectives, sacred and
to this little word Of four letters. Z
The individual in question stated that
be came from mo whar in perticklar,"
and the savage, fugitive glance that shot
from his hyena like eyes seemed too
plainly to indicate why the land Of his
origin was SO indefinitely located. A bad
" broken nose failed to soften the ex.
preston Of his eyes; long, prominent,
dull red scar divided one Of his cheeks;
his moustache was not heavy enough to
hide a hideous harelip, while ragged
beard and head Of stiff, bristly red hair
formed setting which intensified rather
than embellished, the peculiarities we
have noted. The first settlers,who seemed
quite venerable and dignided now that
the camp was nearly fortnight old, were
in the habit Of extending Inequalities 70
all new Corners until these latter could
build huts for themselves. but no one has.
tened to invite this beauty TO partake OF
cracker, pork, and lodging place, and he
finally betook himself TO The southernly
side Of large rock, against which he
placed a few boughs TO break the wind.
The morning after his arrival certain
men missed provisions, and the ugly man
WIS suspected; but go depressing, as one
miner mildly put il, was his aspect when
even looked At inquiringly, that the brav-
est Of the boys found excuses for not ask
ing questions OF the suspected man.
saint got no chum," suggested BoEen,
an ex- sailor, one day after the crowd had
done considerable staring at this unpleas-
ant object, amt got no chum, and's lone.
some-needs cheering up" So BoLsn phi.
lanthropically staked a new claim near
the stranger, apart from the main party.
The next morning found him back on his
old claim, and volunteering to every one
the information that "stranger's 3 grump
a res'lar grump." From that time
forth, q Grump was the only name by
which the man WA known.
Time rolled on, and in the course oil q
month Painter Bar was mentioned as an
old camp. It had its mining rules, la
saloon, blacksmith shop, and faro bank,
like the proudest camp on the Run, and
one could find there colonies, judges, doc
tors, and squires by the dozen, besides
one deacon and domino or two. Still,
the Oldest inhabitant kept an open eye
for new corners, and displayed an open
hearted iriendliness from whose example
certain Eastern cities might profit.
But on one particular afternoon the
estimahle reception committee was put to
its wits end. They were enjoying their
otfum cum dignitate on rude bench IN
front Of the saloon, when some one called
attention TO an unfamiliar form which
was leaning against stunned tree few
rods Of. q g-s--s
Twas short, loose jointed young
man, who seemed 90 lean and thin that
Black Tom yentured an opinion that
q tibet Teller had better hold tight to the
eroun,, ter keep from tallin' upward"
His ewes we're colorlsss, his nose was
enormous, his mouth hung vide open,
and then shut with witch IA ifits own
er were eating dies, his chin seemed 10
have been entirely forgotten, and his
thin hair was in color somewhere between
sand and mud. As he leaned against the
tree he afforded fne opportunity for
the study OF acute aud obtuse angles
His neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, back,
knees, and feet all described angles, and
even The toes OF his shocking boots detec.
Ted from the horizontal in most decided
manner. :. +,
/" SOMEBODY ort to say suthin' to him.
said the Colonel, who was recognized a
leader By the miners.
Fact, Colonel" replied one Of the
men; "bnt what's TELLER to say 10 such
q meanderin' bone yard as that Might
AK him, fur perlitsness' sake, TO take
6rst pick O. lots in new buryfn' ground
but then Perkins died llst week, yer
know" i.
aSsy somethin', somebody command
ed the Colonel, and as he spoke bis eye
aliyhted on Slim Sam, who obedienhy
stepped out TO greet the new conner.
sMiater," said Sam, producing plul
OF tobacco, hev chAHp :.
aI don't use tobacco" languidly rePli
ed the man, and his answer was 70 unex
peeied that Sam precipitately retired.
Then Black Tom advanced and pleas
antly asked: f" what's yer fav'rite game
'" aBiind man. buff" replied the .tran
"a What's thar inquired Tom, blush
ing with shame At being compelled to dis
play ignorance about games; anythin
| IKE eoin' 1t blind NJ pokett
APokeri ] don't know what that ",
Hss iron the country said The Col
ouel, compassionstely," an hasn't had ID
riVht schoolip'. P'raps," continued tn
Colonel he'd enjoy the cock tight at thu
saloon TO. uighi-these country boy, ar,
pretty we'll up to rOOstsrs. AJAX him
TONI u-
Tom put the question, and the parry, Il
deep disgust, heard the man reply !; Nc
thank you; Think lie cruel 70 make tn
poor birds hurt each other
aLook here. Paid The good uatared l B9