The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-12-20


faggots for his culinary operations
Burt Macomber had IN old violin which
had soen its best days, and he often brought
II over 10 the widows cabin. and rs hs
was quite q creditable performer, many ar
evening which would otherwise have beer
spent in drinking and dice playing was
whiled away In listening TO the squeaky
fiddle and the Widows really fine voice, as
she sang church music and the Gospel
hymns which had been sung in her Illinois
home until they were old and threadbare,
but which were entirely newin the mount
aims.
81 tell you, boys, that air tears me all ter
pieces said Dick Gowdy, as Mrs. Newell
sang "The Ninety and Ninen to her audi
ence; "ther haint no shepherd . goin' ter
do very much huntin' fer rs af we don't
take better keer Of ourselves" and 1t was
noticeable that he left OF swearing for
nearly week, and in many ways the pres
ence OF the little family, SO helpless in
their bereavement, was refining and soft
eDing influence
"Sho, now, fellahs, Christmas am comm
in about TO- weeks said Wash Jackson,
as he was lighting the evening lamps.
cpd clean done fo'got till dat ar little
Katie war tellin' whatter fino Christmas
tree dey had las yeah Tell gou II mus
be mighty dull TO- dem chillens up heah,
wild nottin' but US grown folkses ter muse
en-
THAT'S sou and Dick Gowdy drummed
on the table thoughtfully ''raint one wom-
an in thousand thet'd come up here an
be as pleased an clipper as that little
wilder is with her trouble to bear, an 1
move that and the speakers voice was
lowered, and consultation followed which
was strictly confidential
There were none Of these men who did
not have a memory of innocent pleasures
at Christmas time in their childhood, yet
the sweetest and best Of holidays had
been spent the year previous In unusual
conviviality, which had ended in the
nearest approach to a rough and tumble
fight that the camp had ever known.
There was something in the presence OF
the widow, the touch OF the innocent
childish hands which had met theirs with
confding trust, which made such ceie-
bration of the day repugnant to them, and
Sam Coll MS brought his fist down on the
table with whack as he said; II tell
you, boys, moneys no objic, an Of tho
things did at all it's got to be did up
brown, an them little kids an Their ma
shell hev Christmas worth hevin', eff they
air mp in the mountingsp' slapping fifty
dollars worth Of gold dust upon the table
as he spoke. -s'
A stingy miner is an anomaly seldom
seen, and the pile rapidly increased as
each added his contribution.
There were sounds of hammering and
saving going on in spot far enough from
the camp to be sheltered from its rudeness,
yet near enough for purposes OF protec-
ton, and some one was evidently going TO
have new cabin, and built in style no.
ticeably superior to the rest Of the shan
ties in size aud convenience,
Nelly Newell stitched away at her scanty
for the fast-coming winter
with scarcely a thought of the matter, and
Il she had speculated upon the subject at
all she would have thought that Dan Voor-
bees was replacing the one he had so gem
erously given up TO her.
AS the miners had said. she had borne her
troubles with patience and sweetness, and
she fully appreciated the kindness, rough
md uncouth though it was, which these
men had shown her, but she would prob.
IDLY never know what her presence and
hat of her innocent children was doing
,oward making the camp as quiet and or
lerly as it was.
There was a town twenty miles away,
md week before Christmas Sam Collins
ind Burt Macomber drove of in big
wagon drawn by four mules in its direc-
ion. Burt had been chosen for this ex-
,ursion because, as they all agreed, lie
knew more about wimmin's chicken fix
MS than airy man in the camp
"Don't We spar the money" was Dick
jowdy's parting admonition. .'Ef that
lille don't hold out, run yer face, an the
est kin foler arterward."
The wagon came back the next even
ng heavily laden, and the men unloadei
I at the door of the new cabin, which was
low completed, and there were busy hands
It work putting it in order for occupancy.
Nellie Newell was putting away the re
mains of her little supper on Christmas
Eve when smart rap sounded at her door.
,he had been unusually respondent all
lay, as she contrasted this Christmas with
'revions ones spent IN the Illinois home.
Dan Voorhees, was at the door as she
vent TO open it, and his honest face wore
curious expression as he said; 1.-THE
'oys wanted ye to step over n see the new
Iouse we've been putin, up. I'll take the
abby an the kids kin foller."
Glad of any change IN her monotonous
life Nelly put on her hood, wrapped up the
title ones and went out with him.
The house was lighted, and the sound OF |
,urt's violin saving away on Home,
sweet Homo greeted her ear as she |
topped in at the door
"Wish We merry Christmas, ma'am,"
allied out Sam Collins as she was ushered |
nto the room which answered for par
Or. There was real "store carpet upon
he floor, a set of cane seat chairs, a table /
nd couch, and through Burps taste the /
Tindows had been curtsined with white
ice, all cheap, bat absolutely luxurious
or that region, and giving the room
eally home-like appearance, with posi-.
ilities for future Improvement from her
romans touch.
They had decorated the walls with ever.
reens and in one corner small Christ
las tree bore acceptable fruit for the
hildren, wooden toys, cheap picture
ooks, such as the primitive mountain
tore afforded, and bag OF real candy,
'hich had been distributed so as to make
Il the show possible.
Mrs Newell looked about her in the
lost perfect establishment rs SIM Collins,
tho had appointed himself spokesman for
le occasion. called out heartily: This is
Christmas present for We, ma'am, from
amp Nogool, an we hopes yell take as
uch comfort livin' int as we hev in
kin it for ye."
1t was a most surprising state OF affairs,
nd Mrs. Newell could hardly lind her
DICE to thank them, and especially when
urt threw open the lid of small melo
con and invited her to accompany him
18th his violin upon it
True, it was ricketty in the joints and
IN Ihl | lliE RI
| NE(f1--.-l |