The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-08-03
THE DOMINIE'S SECRET.
An Exciting Episode in the His.
tory of Rocky Fork.

In u rough mining town like that of
Rocky Fork, of which am writing, any
man who happens to be little more
refined than his associates is generally
known by some nickname. John Smith
was such man, and, consequently, be-
fore he had been in the camp forty
eight hours he had gained the title of
dominic"
Smith and myself were the only men
in the camp who had any pretensions
to an education in more than the COM
monest English branches. AS for my
self, l always possessed the faculty of
went, and so | managed TO win the fa-
vor OF my companions at Rocky Fork.
But Smith possessed different tenn
permanent from mine. He was educa-
ted, refined and sensitive, and the
roughness of his companions grated
upon him. So without making any at
tempt to overcome this natural repul-
sion, he Stunned their society, and
when not working spent his time in his
tent or in long and solitary walks.
OF course the miners were offended
by his exclusiveness. They considered
themselves as good as the Dominic"
and bitterly resented his attitude to-
ward them.
demonstrated with them for his
conduct toward the other men, told
him it was impolitic, to say the least
and advised him to act differently in
the future. But his only response was:
81 don't dislike the men, but don't
care for their companionship. If they
will let me alone L will not interfere
with them"
would have liked to have asked the
"Dominie" to tell me the secret of his
life, but there was something in his
manner which forbade me doing so.
One afternoon, when the Dominic"
had been one of us for about three
months, there came into camp man
who called himself Frisco Bill, and
who said he had been working for the
past year in another part OF the country
with very little success, and concluded
to join us If there was room for him.
Frisco Bill was large, stout, black
bearded man, with certain frank,
hearty way about him which made him
a favorite Immediately.
He was welcomed to our camp at
once and during that time ingratiated
himself still more in our favor by his
relation of incidents and adventures in
his career among the diggings. He
possessed rare talent as II story teller
and moved us alternately to laughter
and tears.
You're the right sort of man," said
old Sam Barton, the veteran of our
jolly an evening as we had ever spent
together; you're just the kind of fel-
low we want here. No heightened
finicky airs about you, like the Dom
inie.'"
'The 'Dominie?' who's hep" asked
the newcomer with Il laugh.
"He's cuss as owns a claim out yon-
der. He works all day. and spends his
evenings alone in his tent. We amt
good enough company for him."
"He must be derned hard to please,
then," said Frisco Bill, and with this
he left us.
AS passed the "Dominie's" tent on
my way to my own heard the voice of
that individual calling my name.
paused, and an instant later was
joined by Smith.
"Who is that stranger who was in
camp tonight" he asked, in strange.
hoarse voice.
"'Frisco Bill he calls himself" i re-
Piled "He's Il first-rate fellow. Why
didn't you come out and make his ac-
quaintance"'
What is his full name?" asked
Smith, not needing my question.
II don't know" | responded. al
only heard him called Frisco Bill.
Why do you ask?'
"No matter. Goodnight"
And the dominic" turned on his
heel and re-entered his tent.
The next morning at an early hour
about four O'clock was awakened by
the noise of scufiiing just outside my
tent
Then came loud cry of mortal ag-
ony and l heard the sound of u heavy
body falling upon the ground.
rushed out and in the dim light
the first faint streak of grey was ap-
pearing in the east-I saw lying by the
entrance of my tent, the body OF Frisco
Bill. the blood pouring from a frightful
wound in his breast, which the loose,
open shirt he wore displayed.
AS approached he uttered faint,
conyulsive sob and died.