Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-05-04

mines.
1t was a rough log. on-end building.
rooted with willows, overlaid with rye
grass, and weighted down with a
coating of earth. The two ends fitted
up against the rocky sides of the
graded recess. The front was not i'm
posing as to architecture, and the real
was like the front, only instead o0
facing any road view it formed on
side of a square, unrooied thrater tb.
other sides of which were vale
about 10y the quarried faces of IT,
rock. The real theater hal II natit,
rock flooring, quarried and chippea
smooth, for no purpose original,
other than for place of storage for
empty barrels, boxes, etc. Butshort-
~ after the inauguration OF alcoholic
entertainment in the house and before
the ward could he dedicated to It's IN
tended use, there was an improptu
wrestling bout in this convenient bat
crude arena, and from that day for
ward the house and place became
known far and wide among the silver
hills as the Collar and Elbow
On New Years day the Collar and
Elbow" was dispensing free egg-nog
to its patrons, and the low log house
was full of noisy, brawny men, talk
ing, gesticulating, drinking, smoking
and profaning the kings English arts
tigally. Father Ryan came beamine
like a stout cherub into the crowd
aud taking Of his hat, said in a m.l-
low, soft voice, as he laid his hat upon
the end of the counter:
"a happy New Year to You gentle
men, one and all. and many happy
returns of the same"
"Helle, parde, come up and take a
drink with the boys" said a stout
miner in rough. yet kindly way.
looking inquiringly into the fathers
face, and laying a hand gently on his
shoulder
WELL said his reverence, "not
wishing to spoil conviviality in mod
Grafton. "Tll do it,"
Bully for yon, old man. Yer give
the padre a bumper O nog."
"No, if you'll excuse me" said the
father, "it's not egg nog I'll take, bat
glass of wine I've poor head for
mixed liquors"
"AIl right, padre-anything you
like"
The barkeeper quietly passed the
wine to the priest.
Nov, gentlemen" said Fathe.
Ryan, after ernPtying his glass, an'
with his hat still on the counter, 81
you will kindly excuse me, | have ;
little business with each of you"
"Well, we'll excuse you. What
the little businessl"
well, then, It's just this. I'm il
sore need of few more dollars Il
finish the little house on the bill, anr
I'd be obliged to each Of you if you''
put what you think you can spare
into my hat there on the counter, a
} holiday contribution to the goo,
: cause"
! See yer, boys, the padre wants T.
finish his h'istin' works. Let's al
, chip. There's mine" and the mine
threw his half-dollar into the hat
The example was contagious, an,
, the silver was piled into the hat
!, Father Ryan stood beaming on tn
: boys as they contributed to his hol
story.
HAS everybody anteedH See yeI
Nate" to a big-boned, American
built man who sat on the end of
board bench in the corner, "come a
} and pool"
mot if know myself" said Nate
sulkily.
go fer him, padre-speak piec
to him.'
The men turned about and face
the dissenting Nate, jeering an,
gliding at him. "Oh, now, gentlemen
be aisy," said his reverence, with
light wave of the hand. every ma
has a right to give or refuse, as hi
feelings prompt him; and I'm think
ing it's not for regard of the none.
that the gentleman refuses to contri
butte. II might, / would ask him i
he does not think some kind of reli
gion is a good thiDgp
"You can ask me anything yor
please, but I'm not building meeting
houses"
"Do you not think they ought Z
be built" asked the father, softly.
. T don't care whether thew ar