San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-29

would gladly have given his last dollar, ay,
or his life's blood, had anything so serious
been necessary, to help tbs parson out of a
tight place. Never let it be imagined for a
moment that the parson at the Gulch was
the orthodox pastor, in the habit of wearing
broadcloth Of clerical cut and white cravats.
He wore a broad brimmed hat, certainly,
but it was OF the approved cowboy pattern;
to a coat he was well nigh a stranger, being
content to appear in a heavy red wooden
shirt; while for trousers he substituted the
highly ornamen<ed and picturesque buckskin
breeches affected by Mexicans, Indians and
other denizens of the far west. 1t is also
certain that the title of reverend had never
been verbally or in writing, prefxed to his
name; and yet he knew, and the boys knew,
that to be called "Parson Jim" was in itself
q mark of distinction in a district where
men were supposed to have no official titles
or surnames while Christian names were in
variably reduced to monosyllables.
Parson Jim's record and capabilities were
hardly such as would recommend him as a
candidate for church work in communities
laying claim to advanced civilization. He
could not read the Pentateuch in the original
Hebrew, nor discuss tho Thirty nine Articles;
but he was dead shot with a revolver and
could gracefully ride the back Of bucking
broncho. The Westminster Catechism was
a sealed book to Parson Jim; but he could
set broken limb, raise a tent or build q
shanty with the next man. And because he
was cool as ice when fiery blood coursed
through the veins of other men-because he
was brave as lion-because he was gentle
as a woman with sick men-because he had a
big heart-because he spoke kindly words,
and because nothing came amiss to Parson
Jim, the rough specimens of humanity in
George Washington Gulch loved and re-
spected him as they never could have loved
and respected grave and learned doctor Of
divinity from the east.
Now, in a western mining town it is a
gross breach of etiquette to make inquiries
as to a mans pedigree or to attempt to learn
more than he chooses to tell of his history
prior to his arrival in the camp. So long as
he is square" and behaves himself he is one
of "the boys" and as such is bound to them
by sort of freemasonry. Hence, when Par
son Jim came to the gulch and announced
himself as a preacher the miners asked no
questions They did not take much stock"
in preaching, but they were disposed to give
the new conner a ''show," and when time
passed and Parson Jim proved to their salts
faction that he was made of the right ''stuf"
they not only tolerated him, but made him
heartily welcome.
There was no church in the gulch; there
was no school house; there was not even a
hall of any kind. There was, however, q
large frame shanty used for a whisky saloon,
named by its proprietor 1.-THE Rocky Noun
tain Sample Rooms" In the west, be it re-
no I,in he
matter if the same consumer gets away with
fifty glasses from the same barrel
Parson Jim made his appearance in the
gulch during the winter Immediately follow
ing the summer when the Hon. Samuel Green
made his important discovery Of the exist
ence of silver in the valley. He arrived on
handsome roam mare, without bag or bag
gage, and made his quarters at the rude ho-
tel connected with the Rocky Mountain
Sample Rooms. During the evening there
was a scuffle in the large barroom, and the
newcomer looked in through one of the doors
to see what was the trouble. A young and
slender lad of perhaps 10 or 20 years was
struggling with brutal looking, muscular
giant of twice his age. 1t was only ques-
ton of minutes when the big rough fellow
would "down" his young opponent, and yet
the dozen or so of onlookers made no attempt
at interference. Just as the new arrival ap-
peared on the scene, the younger combatant
got in a nasty blow, which evidently hurt
and irritated his opponent. Quick as light
ming the big fellow drew his bowie knife and
raised it preparatory to plunging it into the
lad.
Glands off, you BULLY" shouted the Stran-
ger in the doorway. The burly fighter glanced
rapidly in the direction from whence these
words came, but did not drop the hand which
gripped the ugly knife.
"Drop that knife!" Numbered the stranger,
at the same time laying his hand upon his
pistol pocket.
The bully noticed the last named action
and letting go the boy yelled, with added
oaths, Course you; shut up. Who are you,
anyhow9" The large man was evidently
very angry. He held the knife in his left
hand and with his right drew heavy re-
volver, which he proceeded to level at the
stranger.
Throw up your hands, quickl" shouted
the latter. But the fellow did not hear this
warning. Click! went the hammers of the
pistols 1t was question of quarter seconds
now. Bang! went one revolver-the stran-
gers-and the big man fell-dead.
Then there was momentary silence, fol-
lowed by some queer CALCULATIONS: dead as
njin!-"Sarved him rightl"-"Stranger's
a plucky unw-"Be-ewtiful shotr'-'Who
air you, stranger, anyhow
Boys" said the new arrival, when at last
he had a chance to speak, "this is sort of
business that am not fond of. Sometimes
it is necessary, though, as it was tonight. I
am sorry; but let's say no more about it. l
pay the funeral expenses and answer all ques-