Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-02-13
HOW MINERS RESPECT WOMEN.
Chivairy at q Premium In Camp When
Wives or Mothers Are There.

Mr.. W. G.. Tonkin. OF Silver City.
n. NJ. mining expert and engineer.
is mt the Midland. Mr.. Tonkin has
spent number of years in the Vest
eru wilds and has met the American
miner in almost all OF his many phases.
In the course of n conversation with
group of friends recently the question
OF the Unborn gallantry OF The Ameri-
can citizen 10 the fair sex became the
topic under discussion.
One gentleman remarked that lady
could travel all over the Urifed States
alone and suffer no Inconvenience or
ANNOYANCE. So long rs her conduct did
not render her liable to the approaches
of the mashcr. He mentioned the play
of The Danites." where group Of
miners are waiting the arrival OF the
new school teacher on the stage. They
have bricks. broomslicks. baskets, tin
cans and other ''weepins" TO make life
pleasant for him. The coach drives
up and neat. trim Young lady gets
down. The miners drop their weapons
sheepishly, smooth their heads and,
taking in their uncouth appearance.
sneak away.
That reminds me-" remarked Mr..
Tonkin. of an instance in mining
camp that illustrates the veneration
with which these rough men regard a
woman. A few months after my mar
riage | was sent through Lincoln
County, y. NJ. to survey some mineral
lands for railroad company. NJ wife
wanted to 90 with me. 1t was camp
out expedition and "A case of roughiug
it. and no mistake. / finally CONSENT
| ed To her going with me, and we set
out with an ambulance. cooking out
fit. &C.. across the plains. $50 miles
from any railroad aud into the heart of
the wilderness.
'One day terrific rain set in and
| continued all night. In the storm |
lost my bearings and wandered about
until O'clock Mt night. when ! saw
"A light. | drove towards it. and came
ND to small miners cabin. | got
down. knocked at the door and was
admitted. stated my case aud asked
for shelter.
"Come right in. stranger, and well
come. was my answer
Il glanced around the one room and
saw four roughly dressed miners. The
room had no lloor and only an open
fireplace, over which their frugal meals
were cooked. A few necessary articles
completed the entire furniture Of the
cabin. Ny wife is with me- i said.
land is out in the wagon now Here.
boys bundle out o. this aud help the
stranger in with his things. BE lively.
now. said the spokesman. pulling of
his hat and squaring things about.
They helped us in with our goods,
got roaring fire to going and then
forming in line near the leader, said;
Yer kindly welcome. mum. We ain'l
got much TO offer. but yer can take the
ranch. Me an my mates'll git and
roost outside. Jess make yerself to
home an don't mind us.
They were standing uncovered al
this time and when the speech was
ended filed out of their cabin and
stayed out all night in the rain. il
spite Of the earnest protests OF my wife
and myself. Those great big-hearted
rough men vacated their home for {
lady and would not let us remunerat,
them in any way. We don't see Nc
wimmen folks in these diggins'-tht
leader said-'an' we feels proud tC
know Yer been here. What we done
amt nothin' to talk about and we,
lick mean skunk which wouldn't dc
likewise for lady. "-hdnsas CT.
Star.