The daily gazette., 1881-04-14
MOLLY M'slNNIs' PIANO.
ITS SHAMELESS LIFE AND DEsERv-
ED END-A MINING CAMP INCL

ED END-A MINING CAMP INCL
DENT.
A Stockton paper ofrecent date
notices the demise of an old woman
named Molly McGinnis, near
knights Landing. She had for
SEINE two years been change upon
the county, and came to q miserable
end. T. s. Mcguire knew Mrs. Nc
Ginuis when she kept hotel a
hotel at Ploche, and furnished the
Carson City Appeal reporteriswith
a curious "Reminiscences OF her: At
Ploche she was in her prime, and
had a captivating air, which caused
Hany a man to pass sleepless nights
and weary days. She held supreme
sway in the camp, and, although she
was really coarse and vulgar wo"
man, her eyes were black and her
figure symmetrical, by reason OF
which any Deficiencies in culture or
breeding were not materially con-
sidered.
In her little parlor was q piano, in
which she took great pride. 1t was
an ancient and dilapidated affair, ex-
cruclatingly out Of tune. and had
been used to disreputable associates
from its earliest existence. After
this instrument had floated up and
down the camp for some six years,
it was purchased for mere song by
Mrs. McGinnis, who scrubbed it,
scraped it, mended it, and put it in
her back parlor. Here she was
wont to sing and play. The Nc
Ginnis repetoire was not extensive.
"The Angels Whisper" and the
"Baby's Lullaby" constituted the
leading attractions, and occasionally
she ventured up On snatches OF comic
vocalism.
One New Years night the Mc@
GinnIs got up a rattle on the piano.
OF course everybody took chance,
and the tickets went off rapidly at
$40. The McGinnls reserved one
for herself, "just for luck" and
when the numbers were drawn an
astonishing coincidence was noted.
The ticket she had reserved was the
lucky number. Congratulations
and drinks all round. Net pro-
ceeds of the rattle, 81 AGO; value of
piano, $50. In about q month, "in
response to numerous requests
she announced another rattle. The
boys responded, and again she re.
served a number, "iust FOR luck."-
1t drew the piano, and she was
about a thousand clear. During the
next two years, whenever she
thought the boys would stand it,: a
rattle was announced, always with
the same result. Her success made
her careless, until the formality OF
a drawing became wholly dispensed
with. She simply slowed away the
receipts and announced another raf
fle when the time came. These raf-
hes became a standing joke in the
samp, and no one thought of pro-
testing, for not to be "solid" with
the McGinnis was like being an out
sast. The woman was gradually
absorbing about all the loose
change in the camp, and against the
shameless rattle robbery no one
seemed to have the nerve to protest
"Take ticket to the raffle," said th.
McGinnis, as she moved about ont
evening among the guests. "Washlng
toms Birthday, you know, and we mus
celebrate"
The men came out with their money
but 1t was not with the hilarious enthus
Iasm of old. 1t came out slowly.
cricket to the raf1le?" she said, will
the same leer that always accompanied
the request, addressing an old miner VIII
had just come In.
"No money; can't take any" said tn
man.
His reply shocked the bystanders. II
was the first man who had ever beel
known to refuse. All looked up.
"No money! she replied, with
sarcastic twirl to the last word. ~ don
keep a hotel for tramps." She went I
the door and opened It. "Better 60 ou
and dig up some.o
The man rose and walked out with
out word. He was old and locke
cold and hungry. Two or three mincl
followed him out and protested agalns
the outrage. 1t seemed pretty hard tha
woman who was making money
easily should be SO cold-hsarted. MOI
of the men came out and talked th
matter ever.
"Let's smash up the. e.old music boz
This things gone far enough"
: The idea took Immediately. Each ma
evidently had q grudge against the MI
Ginnis, and the grand opportunity to @
even presented itself. The excitemel
! grew each minute. The eviction of
|, poor, dead-broke miner from the hous
on Washington's Birthday inAamed IL
, heart of every true American.
"Smash the music-box." was tE
slogan.
"No more pianner raftles," was the or
0 They rushed In with picks, drills al
9 hammers. It was only few minute
work. They "cayed In" the lid with
. few sturdy blows, and every man wi
Q could get near,the thing gave 1t whac
Y sgust for luck, % as they said. They tol
\ it to pieces, and cast II out Of the wi
6 dows into the street, and everywhere.
Q "No more ANGELS Whisper In that
= they shouted, as they kicked the ke
1 board down the street. II took on
fifteen minutes to scatter that old frau
y of a piano up and down five differei
blocks. The tide of popular feeling "a
!. riot with that hotel, and next day u
: last guest had moved out. A rivi
: boarding house appropriated the custom
: It was all over with Mrs. McGinni
. "Moll McGinnis," as they began to ca
| .a,a IaFf tho 10 M VI hot w. nan fU