Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-10
AT CINNABAR CAMP.

Short Creek Dave was leading citizen
 of the little camp at Cinnabar. In fact his
 friends would not scruple at the claim that Short Creek was a leading citizen of Ari-
 zona. So when the news came over from
 Iuscon that Short Creek, who had been paying that metropolis breezy visit, had, in an inadvertent moment, strolled within
 the confines of gospel meeting then and there being waged, and suffered conver-
 sion, Cinnabar became prey to some ex- citement.
 'I told him." said Bill Tut, who brought back the tidings, " not to go tamperin' round this yere meetin'. But he would haveit. He just kept paradin about the go in place and looks like I can't get
 him away. Says I: Bill, you don't un- derstand this we're game they're turning in- side, so jest you keep out whole lot; you'll be safer But warnin's wasn't no good; not as much as throwin' water on a drowned rat.'
 "This yere Short Creek was alters spe- shul obstinate that away" said old Sootty, the driver of the Tucson stage, :" and he get them moods frequent when he jest won't stay whar he is, nor go anywhar else. don't wonder you don't do nuthin' l with him.
 "Well," said Rosewood Jim, otherwise l James Rosewood, Esq, T reckon Short \ Creek knows his business. ain't, myself, \ I've knowed him to do mighty Highly ! things, sech as breakin' good pair to draw to a three flush, and it would seem like he's jest pursooin of his usual sys- tenn in this yere religious break. However, \ he'll be in Cinnabar to-morry and then ! we'll know mighty sight more about it; pendin' which, let's Ticker. Mr. Barkeep, \ please inquire out the nose paints for the \ band"
 ! The people of Cinnabar there present saw \ no reason to pursue the discussion so ' pleasantly ended and drew near the bar. ! The discussion took place in The Gold Mine Saloon, so, as no one observed on the ! issuance of Rosewood's invitation, "they were not far from centers." Rosewood, \ himself, was @ suave courier of fortune I who presided behind his own faro game and who, being reputed to possess a straight deal box, held high place in the 1 Cinnabar breast.
 At last out on the gray and heated plain 8 cloud of dust announced the com- ing of the stage. Stacks were cashed and I games cleaned up and presently the male population of Cinnabar was in the street to catch as early glimpse as might Be of { the newly converted one.
 "I don't reckon how he's goin' to look sech a whole lot different, neither," said Ed Paso Bell, as he stood in front of the dance hall of which institution he was a ' pronounced OrnamonC.
 ! "I wonder would it do to ask Dave for \ to drink?" said Tut, in tone of vague in- quiry.
 "Shore," said Old scotty. "and why not?"
 "Oh, nuthin' why not?" replied Tut as
 he watched the stage come up, "only he's
 nacherally a mighty peevish man that
 away, and don't suppose now his enterin' \ the fold has reduced the restlessness of q hat civ of e wi ha
 "Al the same," said Rosewood, who
 stood near at hand, "politeness 'mong
 gentlemen should be alters observed, an \ 1 asks this we're Short Creek to drink as
 soon as ever he comes, and I ain't lookin' \ to see him take it none invidious, neither ' \ Not word nor look touching Short \ Creeks conversion betrayed the question \ which was tugging at the Cinnabar heart. \ Cinnabar was too polite and then, again,
 Cinnabar was too cautious. Next to horse
 stealing curiosity is the greatest crime of | the frontier and one most ferociously re- sented. So Cinnabar just expressed its ! polite satisfaction in Short Creek Dave's
 return and took it out in handshaking \ The only incident worth record was when } ! Rosewood Jim said in tone of bland | friendshid:
 " l don't reckon now, Dave, you're ob- , 1ectin' to whisky after your rider" "I ain't done so usual," said Dave cheer , fully, but this yere time, Rosewood, I'll
 I have to pass. Jest conf1din' the truth tc you all, I'm a little off on them beverages jest now and I'm allowin' to tell you the l ins and outs thereof a little later on. Anc } now, if you all will excuse mo I'll cantel | over to the o. K. House and feed mysel l | some."
 "I shore reckon he's converted" saiG | I Tut as he shook his head gloomily. (" wouldn't care none only it's me as get! . ' L~ 4) ] l time; and so feels more or less responsi ] I ble."
 "Well, what of it?" said Old Scotty, witt a sudden burst of energy. 1T don't see nC kick comin' to anyone, nor why this yere's ! to be regarded. If Dave wants to be re ! ligious and sing them hymns heap yo1 . bet that's his American right. I'll jes | gamble $100 Dave comes out all even an( ' protects his game clear through"
 The next day the excitement had begun @ to subside, when a notice posted on thu t ! postoffice door caused it to rise again. Tn notice announced that Short Creek Dav ~ would preach that evening in the bit
 warehouse of the New York store.
 "I reckon we better all go," said Rose H ! wood Jim. "I'm goin' to turn up my bo2 e and clos the game at 7:30 sharp; and Ben o son says he's goin' to shut up the danc v hall, seein' as how several of the ladies q due to sing a lot in the choir We nigh
 jest as well turn out and make the thing ;. universal deal and give Short Creek tn ,. best turn in the wheel, jest to start hir t along the new trail"
 e "That's whatever" said Tut, who ha It recovered from his first gloom and now CT
 tered into the affair with great spirit. d That evening the New York warehous e was as brilliantly lighted as wild an if unstinted abundance of candles coul = make it. All Cinnabar was there. As ! hold iToY Nxyif s Short Creek Dave, and by that convert g own request Rosewood Jim took 0 seat 6 d the drygoods box which was to serve as e pulpit to assist in the conduct of the meet d ing. The congregation disposed itse e about on the inprovised benches which th
 energy of Tut had provided and all wa
 ready. At eight o'clock Short Creek Day