The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-22
FIDDLER JOE.
b. Clarence H. Pearson.

island in an ocean OF pine A heavy snow
storm had mantled every visible object
with white, and the crystal flakes were
sliIl slowly sitting down, although the sun
was driving wedges OF gold through the
myriad riffs that divided the somber clouds
overhead
sits clearin' up," remarked the parson,
as he Knocked the ashes out of his pipe
and placed 1t upon the rude mantle above
the fireplace. II reckon" he continued,
tibet eff we're goin' 10 try an 'hev any fun
with the deer today we'd better turn loose
the purps an cit TO rackin'."
He was a curious character. was the par
son, and man OF many callings. Hunter,
trapper. river-driver, farmer and preacher.
he was as genuine a product of Northern
Michigan as the sturdy pines that hedged
his forest home. True, his illiteracy some
what circemscribed his usefulness as q
minister Of the gospel, but his hearers for
most part were not disposed to be hyper
critical. and his weekly meetings at the big
log schoolhouse over on section were
well attended. He possessed homely
wit. a ready command of language and a
fund of shrewd, practical common sense
which in great measure attoned for his
deficiencies in the matter of education,
and he was very popular with his back
woods congregation.
He hain't no college-bred pulpit
mauler' said one OF his admirers TO me on
one occasion, Fan he don't use such purity
language as some I've heard, but when he
gifts warmed up with the spirit an goes to
shown up the blamed dirt an meanness
that most of us kerries in our hearts he
makes me feel meaner'n a yalleT dog-durn
me il he don't.
But whatever may have been the par
sons merits or dement's as preacher, he
was certainly a most excellent hunter, and
every year late in the shooting season, l
left my business and sought the pineries
for two-weeks' hunt with my eccentric
friend. On the day OF which | speak we
had been kept in the house several hours
bv the driving storm, and we hailed the
prospect of pleasant weather with much
satisfaction.
This is a mighty big fall o. snow for
November, = said the parson. as be slipped
q handful of cartridges into his Winches-
ter, Fan it'l be greet day for trackins. l
wouldn't wonder Ell"
AZ this point he was interrupted by the
loud baying of one of his hounds, and q
moment later there came rap at the door.
The visitor. without waiting for an invita-
ton, strobe into the cabin. and diyesting
himself OF big fur cap which had COW
cred the larger share Of his face, revealed
the familiar features of Big John. woods
man frosss one of the neighboring camps
and well-known character IN these parts.
1--WE come down, said Big john as he
[ IA a..
git We 10 90 ND 10 Colburn's camp. an I'm
mighty glad found yer to home, parson.
Fiddler Joe got ail smashed up this mornin'
an he wants 10 see yer bad. !"
sHow did II happen p asked.
al warn't thar said Big John. "but the
boys said as how two blame fools from Sagi-
nav as was hanein' around the camp got in
the way OF falIin' tree. an Joe rushed in
to push them back an got pinched himself I"
ssIs he bad hurt ?" asked the parson.
Hes got his summons an thar amt no
gfttin' round 1t. I'm mighty dubious that
he won't bold out tsll we cit thar" and the
big fellow brushed something from his face
that did not resemble snow, and turning
abruptly away he walked to the window
and stood looking out IN silence until we
got ready to start.
Fiddler Joe was . great friend OF ours
indeed. he was the friend Of all who knew
him. Rough and unconth in his manner,
but honest, generous and true. he was a
prime fayeri.e with his fellow-ereftsman.
and very popular with the settlers He
was an excellent performer on the violin,
and his presence was ia demand At all the
country dances far and wide. After bard
DAYS work in camp be would frequently
walk several miles 90 crafty the wishes Of
some az his Young friends, who onsidered
no social gathering or entertainment COM
pIeie without Joe and his fiddle. His will
ingness 20 ohligc. his kindness Of heart and
his generosity were pFoverhial. If one Of
the BOYS I'm camp was sick, il was
Fiddler Joe that nursed him back
70 health. If a comrsde was tn
hard luck. he was always sure Of
Ioe's sympathy aud aid IL vas he who
breasted the med waters 81 the North
branch in the dead Of winter 10 save the
erspnied chere hoy from drowning. II vas
he too. who, when Bic John came Down
w;th the smallpox In Bradfura's camp In
the spYing OF -. remained with him and
ngv~e3 him through bis illness when every
ether rnsn In the crew aed IN terror At the
hrst mention Of the pestIlential disease
Where he came from or What his a0teeed-
ents we-e. no one kasw. fer be never told
ANYTHING Of bis past isfe and did not like
iss BE- questioned concerning L. II was be-
Iievea by bis friends that he had AZ some
slfae occupied mach higher station in life
than ais present enc and there weFe those
Who said that once. when yonlewhzt under
IRE influence az liquog--the only time, so
far a. anyone knew. that be had ever
Welded 20 the sedactive snauencs of the
sowsne bowl be bad east his rude faYza
o. speech from hlm rs garment and con-
se-sea for tsrae In language thai wouid
have aars credit 90 ahe MOST cufkcred
An houras wslk brought rs 30 ColhnTEs' ;
eamp. which was s0meshsng over Eous
rnsses distant The iniaFsd man vas lying
on 4 F4sie ccuch nezr the soozwKy az The
Sleeping ramp- II needed bas glance At
his sAGliss features % assure nse that be wAa
rass Al husa&n Nla The hsnes 81 hts
ehest rad heen crushed and shattered BIZ
ths terrShAe boz be kse received and he
hveatAea with great difficulty. he reeos-
nsses4 IS as re entered aaa teehsy stretched
forth bis band h wesroEae rs
-sSAall pzAy wish SOS. Joes" asked the
parsoa-
Yes rArson. answered Fsadler Joe.