The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-09-09
Poker Bills" Sermon.

since MS last sermon, preached IN Lead
vile the first Sunday after martial law
was proclaimed. On ascending the
platform he unbuckled his revolver and
laid it on the table with the remark
that he kinder thawt concealed weap-
ons warnt the right outfit for a gospel
preacher"
His text was from Matthew Xxx, | to
10. said partners, this text rites
about man that owned vineyards. AS
most of you are convarsent with straight
red Ticker and shafts, | will read mines
and prospect notes., instead of wine
yards.
Thar war sartln man, who was
householder, who went out early one
morning to get men to Work ON his
claims.
And he seed , tenderfeet and he made
a bargain with them to work on pros.
pect fur 81 day.
Bnd he went out again and seed 3
miners standing by the Tontine saloon,
an he said: Amt you afraid of mar
tia layl Hint you read Order No. ?
Go to the Buckeye shaft and work
week and 1 will give YOU that which is
sluar'
And they went.
Partners, 1 will Jest say har that l
kinder don't swaller that ar last line
but it's Scriptur.
Nevertheless, And he went again at
O'Clock and did the same.
and he went again at IL o'clock, an
he seed 2 miners and tenderfoot loaf
ing, and he sed: why don't yer work
Sarg't Grant will come along and hist
yer in the calabosse.
And they sed: I'VE want to work,
but are leetle Altered of the Miners
Union
And he sed: 'yer goi yer guns, amt
yerl What are We Altered of Go to
the Buckeye shaft, and what is squar I
will give yer
And they went.
Now, when pay day came, things got
mixed. He wanted to pay the miners
in the Buckeye 81 day; but, partners,
they wouldn't have it, and allowed as
how one miner war worth two tender
feet, and as he paid tenderfeet 81 day,
miners were worth IS day"
Here "Doc" Riley rose and said
Bill, l left my gun at home, because l
knowed how hard it was for yer to get
bail last time, and don't want to dis
cuss, but want to ask question"
"Go ahead" said Bill.
"War tibet ere mine owner" con-
tinued Doc, ga tenderfoot or practical
man :"
ely by by" shouted score of
voices.
"Now see hyar, pards," said the
preacher, "you kinder got me. But i.
war my certain opinion that he was
practical miner, and had been around
the camp saving, saving, all he could,
called mean, because he wouldn't line
the boys in freeze OUT working for %
day in wet shafts and drinking cheap
red Ticker ontil he was Altered his
breath would pizen the man at the wind
lass. don't suppose he ever played
game CT keerds, except seven. up-which
puts me in mind how 1 got skinned at
that game on the Arkinsaw. l hope
none of this congregation But I've
got eff the trail Mister, Ito an Eastern
Inan) whar was II"
Eastern man-You were speaking
about paying the laborers of the vine
yards.
Beg yer pardon" said Doc. Riley,
Bill war speaking about lodes; wine
yards warn't in the question. l asked
him if that ar mine-owner war tender
foot or a practical man. and him
don't agree. No practical miner would
put tendertoot on a prospect. He'd
be darned fool to pay him 81 day.
That ar is played"
See hyar, Doc" said Poker Bill,
"another break like that and thar will
be trouble in this Tabernacle. | want
no discussion. You all know had
h-ll Of a time raising bail, and further,
l want this congregation to understand
l can calaboose the whole burned lot
under Order No 6, and"
Here the preacher was interrupted by
the sharp crack of revolver Trouble
followed. No words; no furniture
broken. No noise except score or two
of sharp explosions. Luckily none of
the wounds proved mortal.
When the Provost Guard took charge,
Poker Bill was only slightly wounded,