Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-12-18
BLACK
Or,
OR,
MARIA MUNSON'S CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
Written fer tie Tribune By Z. II. TINS.

Charley Gilbert was saving away with a
dull saw on the opening for a door III q
good sized log-cabin, in the new camp Of
MI, away up in the Rockies Of Col
orado. The cabin was for himself and
partner, and was being prepared ancnt
the expected mining boom, which every
II said was too sure TO come with the
summer. Charley was Notary Public.
Insurance Agent, and general faetotum III
the mining district. IN addition to this
owned several mining claims on equal
shares with his friend and pard, Jake
Douglass. Jake though quite a prospec-
tor and miner was q newspaper cores
pondent OF no mean abilities, a stTapping
big fellow, jolly, bright and energetic. The
saw dull as it was, had cut its way down
nearly to the floor, when, the young man
in whose hands it rested, was startled by Il
voice composed apparently Of equal parts
of saw-fiIing and a creaking hinge.
.sseems to me a body, don't need to turn
their backs a minnit in this camp, till some
sneaking things a tryin' to git tn best 9
We. How dare you build on that lot, ye
Waller hard, lank, starved out lootln'
critter. That's my lot. | want it an I'll
hev' it. Wait till my old man comes down
tn hill. I'll make him fire you al yer
LOGS inter the creek" and the stout form
Of Mrs. Munson fairly quivered with rage.
Fortunately for the young man with yal-
Ter hair, his pard was unperceiged by him
on the ground. sYour lots all right Mrs.
Munson." he said as he advanced, "iet me
show you.'' as with the point Of a pick he
scratched a line from east to west and
then another north and south, describing
the corner. Then pacing off seventeen
rather long steps, he turned around. "Ihis
makes fifty feet front on the road, by one
hundred s.and fifty deep" Mrs. Munson
was silent for a moment, but still not con-
WINGED, and crossing her boiled lobster
colored arms across her ample stomach,
replied-'Afibha its all right, but I'm goin'
to ask Mr.. Mailem down to the postotfis.'
Off she started with a determined air and
soon brought the postmaster back with
her. The postmaster confirmed Jake's tx
PLANTATION, and away she went again. The
town was on mineral lands and almost en-
tirely on mining claims, but by an unwrit-
ten law anyone could within a certain
time and limits build upon and hold a town
lot 50x150. Before three weeks Mrs Mum
son had built a 16x20 board shanty on her
lot and in the course of time became very
friendly with her next door neighbors
'.the boys" as she called them. Her hus-
band Josh. Munson. was a mild hammered,
soft spoken little man, who about the
house hardly dared say his soul was his
own. His better half domineered him
completely and it was only when away
from her presence that he ever asserted
anything as a fact. He was net very
strong, and his Hacking cough indicated
that pulmonary troubles had quite a hold
on him.
Summer had come. and with it the ex-
pected boom, Charley had his hands full
of locations. atfidavits, transfers, bonds and
leases. The smeIter, new hotel, and bic
store were insured and business with him
was rushing and remuneratiye. Jake had
plenty Of material for his correspondence,
and was energetically working up a sale
or two.
Nj 1ers, pros eacto-s, Millmen and spec
ulators arrived by every coach. Expecta-
tons and probabilities Of a great future for
the town were i'll every ones mouth. The
country was staked for miles around, and
there was in the air that rush, hustle and
excitement the like of which can be seen
nowhere else but in a mining camp which
booms.
One day when, shafts, tunnels, ores and
formations were the subject Of CONVERSE
ton in CharIey's office, Mrs. Munson came
to the door and addressing Jake who sat
near it, said: aMr. Douglass, I'd like to
see you a minnit." Jake was not absent
long. NHen he caiile back, ne nau news
for those in the office. "Josh. Munson's
dead" and as he dragged out a saddle,
added, sgoing down the gulch to order a
coffin, engage a minister and do what |
can to help the woman Early in spring,
when the roads and trails were slushy and
we with melting snow, Josh. Munson had
caught a severe cold to the effects of which
he had at last secumbed. Kind offers of.
help were freely and frequently made to