, 1889-09-26
Western vlgnettes.
From the pioneer Press. /

IYTIIAGoREA.
Western vlgnettes.
From the Pioneer Prcssl
1t Is a little unusual to find woman
investing In firearms, but | actually saw
a bona tide instance of it in Helena
gun store into which | accidentally
driited. She wasn't of the cowboy var
iety, either. Her dress was of service
able material was natty in its fit and
she looked fit to be queen OF some cattle
ranch. A little soft felt hat, affected by
tourists of the other sex, looked we'll
on her head, and its front brim was
turned down to protect her eyes. A
shotgun which evidently had been taken
on trial lay on the counter near at hand.
1t was not satisfactory on account of the
''break," which was of the side pattern.
She wanted u "top break" and as she
examined the various kinds handed
estly yet confidently of their merits,
anon bringing one up to her shoul-
der gracefully and looking over
the the Conclusion was Inevitable
that she could place load of buckshot
about where sh1 wished. 1t may be
added that nature had spiendidly pad
ded the aforementioned shoulder SO that
she had little to fear from "kicking."
The sight was extremely attractive so
pleasantly was the woman of fashion
modified by little tinge of the Amazon.
Who the fair Diana was know not, but
may her success equal that of any mas
culine Nimrod, and il the birds of the
air and the beasts OF the field have any
taste at all it WILL
Helena may be said to rest on golden
foundations. In fact, it is nothing but n
mining camp In which the tents have
been replaced by permanent and hand
some structures. II runs back into u
gulch famous IN the mining history of
Montana. Within the city limits are to
be found old "diggings,' and from the
main street fumes are to be seen creep
ing along the hllsidcs back of the city
and crossing :on trestles from one to
another There are some shanties of the
mining epoch remaining, and 1t Is said
that as they are removed from time to
time to make way for more pretentious
and desirable buildings, so rich is the
soil beneath in auriierous deposit, which
was undisturbed by the miners of old,
that 1t pays to pan it out, the result
often bearing the expense OF the new
foundation.
1t is related of q prominent young
Western man that he invited IL party Of
friends, comprising both ladies and gem
tlemen, to visit u placer claim which he
had lately purchased. The ladies, of
course, were greatly elated to think they
were going to find "some real gold"
themselves, and to entertain them they
were shown how to wash out the earth
and save the golden ''colors.' a gem
tleman of the party, of Il joking turn of
mind, dropped unperceived into the pan
of earth under the manipulation of a
charming young lady a gold fill
ing which had formerly done, duty in
cavernous tooth. When this mug
get came to light the fair finder screamed
with delight, and as the owner OF the
claim saw the cause of joy his heart went
up higher in his anatomy at the thought
Of the possibilities of his claim. lie bor-
rowed the bit of gold and had it mounted
rs n lace pin and to-day it il valued
souvenir of the gentle prospector. The
claim never kept its promise. The
scamp at the bottom of the roguery
dared not reveal his connection with it,
and should this paragraph meet per-
chance the eyes OF the parties concerned
they will realize the force of the old say
in, ''Where Ignorance is bliss, etc.
II isn't pleasant to arise in the early
morning hours-just mt the period which
it is said Indians selected for their at
tacks ON settlements because mortals
sleep most soundly then-to take u stage
for II long ride. Doubly disagreeably is
the necessity when tho time is a chill
autumn morning, which makes one
shake as with the ague. But IL had to
be done to reach Lincoln Bar, and we
filled the coach, drew down the curtains,
and shivered in silence. The stage rolled
casional jack-rabbit would start up and
disappear in the gray light, and we sat
and hugged our i'll temper. The driver
now and then would look back at us,
and then return to u contemplatiYe
study of the mules. Finally he re
marked, 'Its an awful cold mornin,
gintlemin." No response from the shiv-
ering quartet. More contemplation fol-
lowed by return TO the attack. "Do
you know, gintlemin, that it reminds
Inc of a mornin a wake ago. Oi had Il
load of illeg:nt gintlemin that morning
the most illegint ye iver seen 1t was
an awful cold nornin' and aither we'd
come few moilcs they handed me out
flask of the most illigont whiskey Oi
ivor tashtod. Oh it would have put
loife into your dead grandmother. No
body but gintlemin iver carry such ille-
gnt whiskey.'
This was too much for oui disgrun-
tied feelings, and they disappeared be-
fore the "blarncy" like mist before the
sunshine a flask was fished out and
passed forward TO the .Jehu. With a
| ieigncd apologetic look that would cause
| Dillon to suicide through envy, he with
I drew the cork and snfled, while his
eye twinkled with satisfaction. Now,
gintlemin, Old not have ye tink Oi was
demanin' meself by askin' for II drink"
the remainder was lost in the gurgle.
The flask was handed back empty, and,
as the driver smacked his lips and pre-
pared to enlivcn the mules, he re-
marked: "Whin Oi tashted that
whishky last wake Oi thought it was
the mosht ileyint whishky Oi ever
would tasht, and that they were the
mosht illegint gntlemin Ci liver would
see, but let me toll you, gintlemin, il
wasn't nary a circumstance to the mosht
illegint stuftin that bottle, and if Oi do
say it, gihtlemin, We are the foinest peo-
pie Oi liver drove over to the bar. Gin
tlemin, if Oi could get another drink OF
that same whisky Oh would think 0i was
in heaven"
He reached paradise.
While women arc clamoring for O
chance to compete with men but few
have undertaken to do so in the art ton
sorial, and these few exceptions are
found mostly in the Western cities.
Why not compete in this field, one
thinks, for il is "a trade in which deitness
and delicacy of touch command a
premium, and, barring the stand
ing position, is not hard work.
In Helena q comely colored woman
has chair in shop among
masculine knights of the razor, and Is
the favorite of the force, customers often
waiting for her while her male competi-
tors stand idle. a travelling man, who
had the hirsute growth of several days
removed by her Snid that shp wn. a 9