The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-08-30
Se1frf Story.
THE UGLIEST MAN In CAMP.
A Tale of Painters Bar.

On certain day il November, 1850
there meandered into the new mining
camp of Painter Bsr, State of California
an individual who was instantly pro
nounced, all voices sconcurring, the ugliest
man in camp. The adjective ugly was
applied to the mans physiognomy alone
but time soon gave the word. as applied
to him, far wider significance. In fact
the word was not at all equal to The re
quirements made Of it, and this was
probably what influenced the prefxing
of numerous adjectives, sacred and pro
fame, to this little word of four letters.
The individual in question stated that
he came from "no whar in perticklar,
and the savage. fugitive glance that shot
from his hyena like eyes seemed toe
plainly to indicate why the land of his
origin was so indefinitely located. A
badly broken nose failed to soften the
expression of his eyes; along, prominent
dull-red scar DIVIDED one of his cheeks
his moustache was not heavy enough to
hide hideous harelip, while ragged
beard and head OF stiff, bristly red hair
formed setting which intensified rather
than embeilished, the peculiarities We
have noted. The first settlers, who
seemed quite venerable and dignifed
now that the camp was nearly fort
night old, were in the habit of extending
hospitalities to all new corners until
these latter could build huts for them
selves, but no one fastened to invite this
beauty to partake of cracker, pork and
lodging place, and he finally betook him.
self 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 provisionsand the ugly man
was suspected; but so depressing, as one
miner mildly put it,was his aspect when
even looked at inquiringly, that the
bravest Of the boys found excuse for not
asking questions Of the suspected man.
"Ain't got no chum,' suggested Bozen,
an ex-sailor one day, after the crowd had
done considerable staring at this I'M
pleasant object, "ain't got no chum, ands
lonesome-nceds cheering up" So Boz
en- philanthropically staked 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 "stran-
gers grump-a reglar grump." From
that time forth "Grump" was the only
name by which the man was known.
Time rolled on, and in the course of a
month Painter Bar was mentioned as an
o!d camp. 1t bad its mining rules, its
saloon, blacksmith shop, and faro bank,
like the proudest camp on the Run, and
one could find there colonels, judges,
doctors, and squires by The dozen, besides
one deacon and domino or two. Still,
the Oldest inhabitants kept an open eye
for new corners, and displayed an open
hearted friendliness from whose example
certain Eastern cities might profit.
But Oh one particular afternoon the
estimable reception committee was put
to lis wits end. They were enjoying
their otium cum dignitate on rude
bench in front of the saloon, when some
one called attention to an unfamiliar
form which wasleaning against a stunted
tree few rods off.
1t was a short, loose jointed young man
who seemed so lean and thin that Black
Tom ventured an opinion that that fel-
ler had better hold tight TO the groun'
ter keep from fallin' upward" His eyes
were colorless, his nose was enormous
his mouth hung wide open, and then
shut with twitch as if its owner were
eating flies, his chin seemed to have been
entirely forgotten, and his thin hair was
in color somewhere between sand and
mud. As he leaned against the tree he
afforded fine opportunity for the study
of acute and obtuse angles. His neck
shoulders, elbows, wrists, back, knees
and feet all described angles, and even
the toes of his shocking boots DETECTED
from the horizontal in a most decided
manner.
Somebody ort to say suthin' TO him.
said the Colonel, who was recognized a:
leader of the miners.
aFact, Colonel" replied one of the
men: @but what's fellow to say to such
a meanderin' bone-yard as that? Might
ask him, fur perliteness' sake, to take
first pick O lots in new buryin' ground
but then Perkins died last week, yel
know"
HSay somethin', somebody, command
ed the Colonel, and as he spoke his eye
alighted on Slim Sam, who obediently
stepped out to greet the new conner.
Mister" said Sam, producing a plug
of tobacco, "hev chew?"
Il don't use tobacco" languidly re-
piled the man, and his answer was SC
unexpected that Sam precipitately re
tired.
Then Black Tom advanced and pleas
anhy asked: Watts yer tay'rite game
Stranger"
! Blind mans buff" replied the stran