The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-04-18
Two Saints of the Foet-HilIS
BY BRET HARrE

II never was clearly ascertainei how
long they had been there. The first
settler OF R1ugh-and- -Readv-one. Low,
playtully known 10 his famliars as The
Poor Indian declared that the saints
were afore his time, and occupied a cabin
in the brush when he "blazed his way
10 the North Fork. 1t is certain that
the two were present when the water
was first turned on the Union Often, and
then AMI there received the designation
of Daddy Downey and Nanny Downey,
which they kept 20 the last. As they
tOttered toward the refreshment tent,
they were welcomed with the greatest
enthusiasm by the boys or, 10 borrow
the more refined language of the Union
Recorder, Their gray hairs and bent
figures, recalling. As they did, the happy
paternal eastern homes OF the spectators,
and the blessings that fell from venera-
bic lips when they left those homes to
journey in quest Of the Golden Fleece
on Occidental Slopes, caused many 10
burst into tears" The nearer facts that
many Of these spectators were orphans,
that others had enjoyed a States guar
dianship and discipline, and that a ma
jority had left their paternal roofs with
out any embarrassing preliminary
formula, were mere passing clouds that
did not dim the golden imagery Of the
writer. From that day the Saints were
adopted as historical lay figures, and
entered at once into possession of unin-
terrupted gratuities and endowment
II was not strange that, IN a country
largely made up Of ambitious and reck-
less youth, these two-types of con-
sentative and settled forms-should be
thus celebrated. Apart from any senti-
ment or veneration, they we're admirable
foils to the community's youthful pro
gress and energy. They were put for
ward at every social gathering, occupied
prominent seats on the platform at
every public meeting, walked first In
every procession, were conspicuous at
the frequent funeral and rarer wedding,
and were godfather and godmother to
the first baby born in Rough-and- Ready.
At the first poll opened in that precinct,
Daddy Dovney cast the first, and, as
was his custom, on all momentous occa-
sions, became volubly reminiscent.
"The first vote / ever cast" said
Daddy, "was for Andrew Jackson the
father O. some ON you peart young chaps
wasn't born then, he he that was
way long in '33, wasn'titi l disremem-
Der now, but If Nanny was here, she
bein' q schoolgirl at the time, she could
say. But my memory's failin' me. I'm
an old man, boys vet likes to see the
young go ahead. recklsct that thar vote
from a suckumstance. Squire Adams
was present, and seem il was my first
vote, he put goold piece into nv hand,
and, sez he, seq Squire Adams, = let that
always be reminder OF the exercise OF
glorious freeman's privilege = He did ;
he he Lord, boys feel so proud
OF We, that / wish had hundred votes
to cast for We all"
It's hardly necessary to say that the
memorial tribute Of Squire Adams was
increased tenfold by the judges, inspec-
tors aud clerks, and that the old man
tottered back TO Nanny, considerably
heavier than he came. As both OF the
rival candidates were equally sure OF his
vote, and each had called upon him and
offered conveyance, it is but fair to
presume they were equally benedcent.
But Daddy insisted upon walking 70
the polls-a distance OF two miles-as a
moral example, and a text for the Cali
fornia paragraphers, who hastened 10
record that such was the influence OF the
foot-hill climate. that "a citizen Of
Rough-and-Ready, aged eighty-four,
rose at six O'Clock, aud, after milking
two COWS, walked distance of twelve
miles to the polls, AMI returned in time
to chop cord of wood lefore dinner"
Slightly exaggerated as this statement
may have been, the fact that Daddy was
always found by the visitor to be en-
gagged at his wood-pile, which seemed
neither to increase nor diminish under
his AKA fact, doubtless, owing 10 the
activity OF Nanny, who was always at
the same time making pies, seemed to
give some credence to the story. In
deed, the wood-pile Of Daddy Dowrey
was a standing reproof to the indolent
and sluggish miner.
"Ole Daddy must use mp pow'ful
sight of wood; every time I've passed by
his shanty he's been maxim the chips
hy. But what gets me is, that the pile
don't seem to come down" said Whisky
Dick to his neighbor.
"Well, you fool!" growled his neigh
Dor; dispose some chap happens to pass
by thar and sees the old man doin' a
mans work at eighty, and slouches like
YOU and me lying round drunk, aud that
chap. feelin' kinder bumped, goes up
some dark night and heaves load of cut
pine over his fence, who's got anything
to say about it? Sayl" Certainly not
the speaker, who had done the act sng
gested, nor the penitent and remorsefu
hearer, who repeated it next day.
The pies and cakes made by the ole
woman were, think, remarkable rather
for their inducing the same loyal and
generous spirit than for their intrinsic
excellence, and it m8y be said appealed
more strongly to the nobler aspirations
of humanity than its vulgar appetite
Howbeit, everybody ate Nanny Dow
ney's pies, and thought of his childhood
Take 'em, dear boys" the old lady
would say sit does me good to se'
you eat 'em reminds me kinder of poo