The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-12
TOLD BY A PRIEST.

Dec. "a, 1874, ushered in one of the sever.
est storms that it has ever been my lot tc
witness.
Twas that day about midway on jour
ney from Helena to Missoula and had
stopped for the night at a stage ranch, one
of the old-time rude wayside hostelries of
which to-day, in the changed conditions
wrought by tho advent of the railroads, but
very few remain.
Black, angry clouds had gathered upon
the northern horizon, and as the evening
approached light feathery snow began fall
ing, which rapidly increased in quantity I'M
til air and earth were blended in blank
white shroud, beneath which surrounding
objects cleaned weird and spectral through
the deepening gloom.
We were a motley group as we gathered
around the huge open fire to enjoy our post
prandial pipe, while the storm beat fiercely
without, and the Pickering red flames
faces with weird and fitting Rembrandt
like lights and shades.
In the center sat broad-shouldered,
portlv man, of apparently 80 years of age,
whose smooth-shaven and rubicund face,
as we'll as the sober cut of his dress, un-
mistakably proclaimed the priest.
10 pleasantly pass the evening, story
after story was related by several of the
persons present; and when the priest an
nounced his willingness to entertain his
companions we all attentively listened to
the tale he told. In voice low, musical
and impressive, he thus proceeded:
In 1866 l left Montreal, Canada, imme-
school in which had pursued the latter
part Of my theological course, having been
ordered by the church directory to report
for service at St. Ignatius Mission, a dis.
tant station in the wilderness at the head
waters Of Missouri river, now part of the
modern territory of Montana.
"For q number of years following, nv
Held of operations was confined to the saw
age tribes inhabiting the region within
which myself and coworkers were the only
white men, save few traders of the North
vest Fur company, stationed forty miles
1.-The discovery of gold, however, within
The territory in 1862 led to o vast influx of
hdventurers, and the mountains were soCn
Filled with seekers for the precious metal,
while little towns here and there began to
bpring up like mushrooms among the
gulches.
"One night, after having worked rather
harder than usual with our Indian school,
which had only been recently organized,
retired early to my apartments. l was Just
IN dozs when rap came on my door, and
pur superior walked in with troubled
ace.
"a man has been shot in a miners
lamp near Bear Forth mountain, and
dying he said. and, though it is a
bard ride for a dark and threatening
hight, your presence is requested at his
bedside. Your horse will be at the door in
EN- minutes and guide Is here to accom-
Pany you. Prepare yourself for the journey
It once
Within the time named was in the sad
lie: My companion proved to be a rough
ooking individual. who during the long ride
Fhich followed did not speak dozen words
answer to my questions.
line night was one of inky darkness, and
ow ana then great drop of rain fell from
he black vault above. while the wind swept
ercely and chillinsly from the river. the
anks OF which we were traveFsing. some
mes catching up clouds Of spray from the
Rpids and daslnng them in binding gusts
b our faces.
within an hour after leaving the mission
he rain fell in torrents. but we pursued our
ray without hating. 1t was well on to-
ard morning when few patches of LIGHT
nddenly appeared. and in a few moments
rode into a village Of tents, from sop,e
which came the sound of rude music and
evelry, and from others the shouts and
nrses of drunken men.
I'VE rode through q long avenue of these
10 row, where We drew rein before a high
pR building, apparently the most pretsn-
0ns one in the city
'As Nc dismounted the door vas AunR
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