Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-05-01


the cost Of extracting it; the resi-
dunn is called "slag."
A SCENE IN THE MINES.
Jim White remained In Galena
one month. His landlord began to
treat him cavalierly; for, with the un.
erriRg instinct of publican, he had
guessed the true state of Mr.. Whites
finances.
"Mr White" quoth he, as Jim
was exchanging his slippers for boots
one morning. "Mr. White, | have a
trifling bill Of twenty dollars for four
weeks board which / will trouble you
to cash."
mo DOUBT" coolly replied Mr..
White; "but such is the state of my
finances"
"You poor, trifling rascal" inter-
rupted the landlord-"You poor, tri-
fling vagabond, sir, leave my house,
sir p
Certainly sir" says White, 81
leave your house in disgust. You
are quite undeserving the patronage
of gentlemen. On you and your
house too!'
Blue Rabbit diggings, on little
Blue Rabbit creek, is in the territory
of Wisconsin. and is distant from Ga
lena three hours ride. The hamlet
consists of fifteen or twenty miners
cabins, Struggling carelessly along
the creek, like Irish shanties; more
over there were three groceries, con-
nected with one of which there was
a ninepin alley, or sIsorse billiard
room,' where the clatter of falling
pins and the rumbling of the balls
could be heard twenty-four hours in
each day and seven days in the
week; tor Sunday with its sober
quiet was a stranger in these dig
gings' and prayers were as uncom.
mon as earthquakes Since then the
temperance reform which swept late.
ly like hurricane through the VAL
ley of the Mississippi has scattered
to the four winds of heaven the last
vestige of grog shop in Little Blue
Rabbit, but at the period of time of
which | am writing. the ball alley
grocery was thronged. Some were
playing cards, some were smoking,
some laughing, and others swearing;
and no scene could be found richer
in degradation and vice in the most
degraded basement of the "Five
Points"
'Set up the pins there, boy! Stand
away from the ball!p shouted a six
footer dressed in buffalo robe.
Away rolled the ball.
Good luck" quoth little weazel.
faced John Smith.
The second bal! swept down the
remaining pins.
"Spare ball, by -!' shouted
all.
Rice Hawkins, a black haired bill.
lious looking rascal, with a deep
sunken eye IN his head, whose mate
he had left in Kentucky, rolled next.
His first ball struck down only the
center pin.
"Perfect gut" says Bluff.
The second ball ran into the
trough, and the third ball struck the
pin that was PROSTATE and bounded
over against the BULBS hide.
Hawkins poured out a broadside
6 al, l.
living magazine of blasphemy.
The last roller took the alley. He
was twenty-five years of age. five
feet ten inches in height. His coun.
tenance was open aud expressive
his head, OF the best chronological
model, covered with light brown
hair--a scar on bis forehead, and his
eye full of language. He wore a
blue military frock coat, out at the
elbows, drab pants buttoned up to
the knees outside and a checquered
shirt which appeared as if it were
destitute of a comrade to relieve it
from duty
"Roll away, stranger!' said little
Smith.
"My name" replied the person ad.
dressed, coolly, selecting his balls,
"is Jim White--at your service"
White rolled with great precision.
His first ball struck the head pin a
little quartering SO as to sweep the
alley.
"Ten strike, by h-r' roared the
company.
White took the pool, paid for the
alley and treated all hands. The
noise, and babbling and Boosting
increased and soon reached the fight
ing-point
.Who dar say" roared Bluff,
shifting his fists together, shat am
not the best man in the house ? or in
Blue Rabbit or in the mines ?"
''Did You ever fight an alligator
in the Okefenokee swamp retort.
ed Mr.. White.
"You take it up - roared Bluff.
"You take it up? You blue. bellied
gaIlinipper! I'll hoop you to death
in q minute p
Upon this the fight commenced.
Both combatants were armed.
White instantly drew large
bowie knife from a pocket or sheath
on the back side of bis neck. His
adversary drew q similar weapon
from the skirt Of his coat-pocket.
They glared at each other for a