Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-11-26
THE DEAkIN."

A stones throw out of Paradise grew
the only tree in Devils Basin. As
Devils Basin comprised stretch OF
country some twenty miles broad by n
hundred long, the reader will readily
understand what an object OF pride and
veneia,ion this tree must have been to
the rugged hearts of Paradise.
1t was so horribly yearning. so
grimly renacing-that noose-that |
have shivered many Il time as | passed
it and looked around fearfully over
my shoulder like Tam O Shanter chased
by the Kirk Alloway crew.
A thing that heightened my wonder
was this: Whenever / asked an in
/ habitant OF Paradise why that moose
was there his mouth would shut up
like steel trap and peppery look
would settle over his face but never q
word would he utter.
One day l begged Jim Littel to go
riding with me and Jim. who was al
ways ready for anything not too sug-
gestive Of manual labor, imme ilately
placed himself at my command.
When we had driven short distance
from town. ! produced bottle Of
brown fluid much used in cases of
snake-bite Gas we'll as other casey
and invited my friend to take lift ut
the National Debt--which he did. not
only once but many times. When
considered him sufficiently voluble /
halted directly beside the old cotton
WOOD SO that the black moose hung
above Us.
.rJim,o said /, interrupting flow
OF war "reminiscences which were starr
ling, to say the least; Jim, want you
to tell me about that moose. Come.
now. What is it there for?"
He looked up at the rope very earn
estly for moment then deliberately
mounted the carriage-seat and kissed
it. Getting down again. he murmured,
'It's the honor OF Paradise, Il beg
yer pardon. and he lifted the bottle
to his lips.
But want to know all about it, !"
persisted
Its CALM, very CALM fur to say
anythin' bout it. It's waitin' for the
deakin, " know. which same deakin
81 ! had i'm here I'd hang him up
higher'n kite, you can bet on that!''
WHO was tho deaconp What did
he doas
Jim Littel took the bottle from his
lips. drew deep sigh. wiped away
the moisture with his coat-sleeye and
looked at me pensively.
Him? DO? I'll tell ye He was
a long, slim, parson kind OF chan
an he looked so holy when he frs,
came to Paradise that Bill Waller
him as runs the Cowboys Rest-scz
that hain't no common tenderfoot,
Jim Littel. that hain't seq he--an'
that same Bill was as clever a reader
Of human natur' as any one ever see.
an I've seen good many OF 'em.
For instance. old Zenas Binder
WELL Waller he sez That
hain't no common tenderfoot Jim
Littel. He's good. he don't lie or
steal, er drink, or play cards. er en-.
Joy himself in any way howsumever-
mark them words. Les call i'm the
deakin.' which we did an / must say
he proved to be model chap. Good,
powerful good. internal good, alto
gether to dern good. beg your par
dom
Well. what did this abnormally
excellent person do?"
That's il said Jim Littel bring
ing the bottle down on his knee with a
thump what did he do? What did
he do I'll tell you what he done. He
moved around in Paradise so soft an
did SO many nice things with them lit.
tie white hands Of his'n that he got
our confidence which 10 to say, the
confidence Of Paradise, singularly and
collectionably. which is to say oil
every one from Hon able Jezebel JIM
son--d'you know i'm? No? lister be
In congress Jimson did; powerful
bright, POWERFUL! You've heard
how Wash'n'ton was the father of our
country Well. Jimson he's the father
OF Paradise. he is, made it sir.''
You We're speaking OF the dea-
con-" ventIred, in the endeavor to
draS my vciuble friend back into the
rut: what did he sayg'
Il beg yer pardon. Well. this here
moose is waitin' fer that good man an
he'll fill it some day. see if he don't
It's been hangin' there waitin' fur him
fur these five years an the honor OF
Paradise, which is to say of me an
Jimson. an all the rest is wrapped ur
in that piece o rope doin' it's duty"
As he hesltated here and seemed t.
be fixing himself to ask my pardon
again, laid restraining hand on hi
arm and commanded him to tell In,
faithfully. what the deacon had done
10 be sure. Ysee we was holdin
high ut the Cow Boys Rest one night
playin' cards. an drinkin' an whoopin
'er up generally when, all TO once, thu