Catoctin clarion., 1888-12-20
Mchancsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday December 20 1885,

within a few inches of his nose, and
cycling it fondly, as he concluded: You
know the old sayin' that we must al.
ways give beauty the first show,
And, throwing his head back over
one shoulder, and rolling his eyes side
ways, with leer that doubled his nat
ural ugliness of vlsage, developed by
forty years of dare -deviltry, Utah Jim
tossed off his liquor, and turned round
to Join IN the general laugh which he
expected to follow. Only few dismal
grins rewarded his performance.
Abe Lewis had seen how matters
We're drifting, and hurriedly left his
story telling in one corner Of the room.
Stepping up to the b'r beside the
scoundrel, who stood cody surveying
the crowd, and reaching cArelessly for
II glass, he said, with assumed leyity:
"You felIers appear kinder delicate
about drinking off n Jim. know it's
too bad to take advantage Of the poor
pilgrims generosity but if We don't
spile that ar grog, somebody else will.
1t was to late, Utah jim had taken
in the situation, and the fact that he
stood near an open window.
One jump landed him outside, Just as
ball from the old hunters revolver
tore hole in his shaggy beard, another
leap brought him to his horse, and
bounding into the saddle, Utah jim,
"lit out of Island Gulch.
1t was a moonlight summer evening.
Abe Lewis and several miners rushed
to the window and fired at the fugitive,
but they became SO badly welyed to-
grther as to interfere with one anoth-
ers aim, and the william quickly disap-
poarcl, untouched, around a corner of
tie building.
The miners poured out Of the saloon,
and discharged their revolvers at the
flying rutIi4n, but wit thout visible effect
or either him or his horse, and both
were soon lost TO sight over a neighbour
ing ominence.
While the company stood reloadlng
their weapons, and swearing over the
escape of the desperate with menacing
glance at the spot where he was last
seen, a man came over the bill, run
ming awkwardly toward them.
At first they We're uncertain wheth-
cr he Is white or red. Bat the ques-
tion WAS promptly settled by the not
to be disputed opinion of Abe Lewis
"rlat amt no Injun. It's a mani
And as he ran into their midst, and
sank brcathless and exhausted to the
ground, they recognized him as a fel-
low miner who had been out prospect
ing.
He was young man, tall slender and
terribly frightened. His hat and rifle
were missing. remaining garments
were thoroughly drenched, and clung
tight to him, revealing his scant dimen-
slons'
lie layel flat on his back, breathing
heavily, and occasionally giving vent to
terse outburst of profanity.
All saw that he had undergone some
dreA FuI experience, and gathered
around him to learn what had befallen
him
Been swallowed By a whale q
Had IN interview with Utah jim p
and found any more lnjuns to shoot
were among the questions asked.
"Thars ghost up thar. gAsped the
terrified young man.
Nv har" chorused the crowd.
con the Island. Bring me some
drink fore | say mother word.
a glass OF miserable whiskey was
quickly furnished the exhausted young
man.
After swallowing it, he breathed ca
sier and rising to his feet, and loom
ing soIemnly before the excited miners,
he told his story.
lie had been returning to camp in
small boat, down the Salmon River, on
which Island Gulch is situated "The
Island on which he had seen the ghost
(and from which the town derived its
narac> was a wild rocky and p!ctureSqe
one. Standing III the middle Of the riv,
er, among the hills, q mile above the
cAloon,
lie was drawing near it, In his boat,
when he heard a strange kind Of music
"a low, plaintive melody, unlike any
thing he had ever heard before-which
appeared to be everywhere at once.
Now sounding among the tall pines
that lined the bark, now behind bin
on the water, overhead, or among the
rocks of the island, it seemed as If the
performer were some heeting, invisible