, 1889-02-28
THE GENTLEMAN JOE MINE.
pY ELLA HAsKINs HoLLEY.


health, 80, through the kindness of my
superior. ] was given both work and o
long vacation In the form OF trip through
the West, writing up the various mining
industries. So 1t was that In my peregri.
nations, just as the sun was going down,
arrived at the busy little town of Holdup.
where was located one of the most flour
ishing gold mines of the district. Having
partaken of my not very sun ptuous supper
! adjourned to my favorite place for study.
ing human nature the bar room. Be not
checked my gentle reader, the bar room of
Western "hotel takes the place of parlor,
and in fact almost everything else. 1t is
rough place. rude place, q wicked place
If you will You meet there the worst of
the town. You also meet the best, II
there is any best. There is drinking and
gambling. and often shooting going on.
However unless you prefer the hospitality
of the street. there you must stay. Often
1t may also serve as your bedchamber,
sometimes without even the luxury Of a
bench and blanket. However there you
hear all the latest news OF big games, last
shootipgs and latest finds" There is no
daily paper. there is none needed. Each
gets his news from the barroom aud it is
never old. ! found o seat on bench IN
serve without being much observed,
bar was crowded with good -natured,
laughing set, who seemed happy. and care
less of what the morrow might bring.
How little we can judge from the irreveal.
able exterior OF the planning and scheming
which may be going on within.
Soon my eyes fell upon a face that i'm
medeiately held my attention. 1t was a
time and weather, evidently, yet when |
looked closely saw that the wrinkles Of
time had small place there, and the rather
small gray eyes we're as clear al bows.
Ii was a refined face more noticeable for
its surroundings and reminded me of
college professor OF my Eastern home. But
what attracted my attention most was
his hair, which hung in long. wavy
locks from under weather-stained
sumbero, and rested on his buckskin.clad
shoulders, it WAS of silvery whiteness. |
had not realized that my gaze had been go
intent until suddenly, he arose from his
seat and drawing himself to his full mus.
cular height, crossed the room to my side.
well, stranger, you seem tobe quite
interested in my appearance; Is there any
thing can do for you2" he demanded in
bAlf mocking. but most musical voice;
Ignoring the tone, thanked him for his
courtesy and began explaining the motive
of my visit.
''If that's your purpose reckon I'm yer
billy" the Western slang coupled with
his musical and cultured pro nuncipation
seemed most incorigurious. but mentally
setting him down as new type, ! went
on with my questions.
Eyes. fancyI can tell you about as
much Of the history of the place as any
one, was one OF the first here, but don't
you want to come out where it is little
more quietp"
Asserting we arose, pushing through
the crowd, who we're rapidly growing
more happy and noisy, and passed out in.
to the night. The street was narrow but
lined with small closely set buildings.
which were chiefly saloons or small stores
for miners supplies. We passed groups
10 another, the lights of which streamed
out from open doors and windows, min
gled with the odor of various liquors and
noises, only overhead all was serene and
still. The sky was fast purpling in night.
The mountain on either side rose
tall aud black IN the gloom, while
one star with silvery gleam seemed
10 rest on its pine clad brow. Leading
the way my guide soon entered place u
little less noisy than the rest, and ordering
1.-TWO glasses Of any thing" we erepaired to
small table in the darkest corner Of the
room.
Though many of these places seem so
rudely real, some have more of romance
about them than we often guess" re-
marked my stranger.
And Holdup is no exception?"
''Of course you know that the biggest
mine here is called the Gentleman Joe,'
as the place wasn't much more than a
dozen cabins before, may as well begin
with that"
ut was only about five years ago that
was sitting one night in the only barroom
of the place. having game of poFer with
Poker Pete, he must have given himself
that name for between you and me
he didn't know any more about poker
than that bench there, so it used to
rather rile him to play with me- for If
you want q real good scientific game
Gray Bill is your man, but when 1t
control that. swell we'd been having
three or four little games and I'D beaten
him right along and at last he 0ot up and
walked to the bar In rather an ugly mood.
Looking after him noticed young ten
derfoot that had got in that afternoon,
setting by the stove. Pete saw him at
about the same time and in q voice that
was not exactly. an invitation said;
"Come an liquor"
"Tnsnks, but I never drink" was the
response.
"Ye never do, ehp" "Well. ye may as
we'll learn right here that when l ask a
Teller to come an liquor, they generally
come" and pistol was leveled
almost at the young fellows
ear. His chair came down on the floor
with bang, but be remained seated,
quietly looking at the bully. | admire
pluck, but saw that Pete was in a mood
Tor almost anything, SO before he could
speak again | was by his side.
'.Geperally they do, but sometimes they