The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-02-06
UP THE " DRAW"
BY THOMAS p. MORGAN.

The gang at old man Sigsby's com.
bined saloon, postofice and general store
had waited for the coming of the mail
carrier ever since the saw mill shut down
at sunset. The time was passed in curs-
ing the tardy Government official, imbib-
ing sigsby's villainous whisky and dis
cussing the occupant of the little log and
slab shanty, half a mile up the heavily
timbered "draw."
They looked 'hard crowd" and
their characters did not in the least belle
their personal appearances. The scum
and offscourings of many communities
they were, held together by their cause
against the Common enemy, the United
States Government. The sawmill, deep
in the wilderness, turned out great guam
titles of lumber from trees cut from Gov
ernment land, and its owners, in their
Eastern homes, knew little and cared less
of the rough men whose toll increased
their employers ill gotten gains.
Old man Sigsby was the worst man in
the whole gang, that seemed composed
of the champion profane, shock headed,
tangle-5earded and desperate men TO be
found in seven States. They growled at
the generalities of life, cursed each other
and! drank great potations of fiery whis-
Ky, and Sigsby growled the loudest,
cursed them all individually and collec-
lively and drank oftener than any other
of his customers.
The matter had been canvassed thor
oughly, and the opinion was general that
the occupant of the shanty up the
"draw" was none other than Govern
ment detective.
"Wal," growled big Jim Perdue,
Sim yere to say that his story's purity
thin! If he's takin' up claim as he says
he is, w'yn't he go out on the prair' like
. wife man stead O. comm up yere whur
squatters haint wanted now, say?"
The question was addressed to no one
in particular, but Sigsby took it upon
himself to reply that he "didn't know
an didn't keer cuss!"
"Wal, you needn't be so brash!" re-
torted Big Jim, witt an oath. q"
4 clatter of hoofs interrupted him.
The door was flung open and the tardy
mail carrier threw the wrinkled pouch
into the room.
Then Sigsby distributed the mail.
This was done by opening the pouch,
pouring its contents in heap on the
floor and, with several forcible epithecs,
telling the company to 'drive in" There
were few letters, but bundle of news
papers provided nearly every one with
something to read.
When each had got his own and the
wrangling had ceased, one letter re-
mained. 1t was addressed to the occu-
pant of the cabin up the "draw"
"Wal," remarked Sigsby, "that cuss
gifts entirely too many letters for a squat
ter. One every week or oftener. An
NV all dad blamed directin' this beats
any ever seed!"
The address was printed in struggling,
irregular characters and with shocking
disregard for capitalization. Several
examined the rude characters and all
were of the opinion that they were
traced in that manner to disguise the
writer's chirography.
':Le's open it!' cried Perdue.
"Not much!" objected old man Sigs-
by. Nobody opens any letters in this
we're postoffice but me! Underestimate"
The postmaster mentally resolved that
while the gang might do as they liked
outside of the Office, he wCs not going to
allow them to commit any act within the
Office that would incur the wrath of the
Government.
Perdue rose, cleared his throat and be-
gan:
"We all know that this cuss is"
"You bet!" interrupted several voices.
"Yes, wal, we know what happened
to the last feller that come spyiu
round whur he had no call to be-"
ssWe have idee!" said voice.
"Wal, shall he have the same" was
Big Jim's pertinent question. Without
a moments hesitation came the almost
unanimous verdict that he should have
the .ssame." There was o PROLONGED