Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-10-01

l
tern in its ruggedness and noun
famous in it's magnanimity. II un-
effusive m the commentator of
good, and severe in the punishment
OF wrong, the mountaineer is char
liable almost to fault, and puts
upon every motive the most flexible
construction. A stickler for indi-
vidual rights of property to dam
gerous degree, no man sooner reeog-
nizes solidarity of interests and pur-
poses, and while in different, and, at
times, disrespectful to the statutes
Of the F'powers that be-" he readily
molds his life to tine rude, unwritten
flaws that grow out Of his peculiar
surroundings.
| Still. will, all this, the traditions
Of a better culture are rarely cen
sured, the prospects Of a better life
are seldom denounced or denied.
They are simply ignored as not suit
ed to his present circumstances. He
may hope some day to afford them
as luxury, but he regards them
now as a business encunbrance, and
lays them aside with much the same
feeling as when he packs away his
Igood clothes-to be worn again on
becoming occasions. Sunday he
may respect as day of rest or re-
creation, but as a day Of worship
that is not pressing necessity.
EfIn Leadville, on Sunday, l go
fishing in Boston, go to church, y
was the easy-going reply Of cul-
tured mountaineer, when questioned
about his fishing conscience.
His ready adaptation OF self to cir
cumstances, both in the abstract and
conerete, produces broad toleration
of opposing opinions and his liberal
ideas as to duty may cause him to
chime in with a popular tone that
he does not approve, because he is
anxious to do his part. "He can
| have my saloon" said the bartender
| when the minister wanted a place
to preach "but," he added, II would
not hear him if he preached a week.
He was not one Of the little congre
cation that under the soughins
pines heard the first sermon in camp
but he tramped the trout stream al
next day and gave the minister hi
: entire catch.
With the mountaineer, pedigres
or prestige are poor collateral : h,
waits to see what man will do il
his new surroundings, and till h,
} developes he trusts stranger as h
does his neighbor in the next cabin
The trailties of his fellows are onl,
unreckoned possibilities, but the re
establishment OF character after ;
fall is contingency never counte;
/ upon. He may leave his cabin un
! locked and the hungry traveller i
B welcome to his stores but the covet
r Gus purloiner is equally welcome t.
r his lead OF his halter. Ii he per
/ forms a favor as a duty, and ask
5 one as his due, he has a high ap
t probation OF sincere gratitude, bu
e a hearty detestation of effusiv
| phrases, and sets a low estimation
7 upon his mere acts of accommoda
r tion. "What the devil have Idone?
. said blunt Capt. -, on who's
r land we had camped, when we thank
| ed him for his many kindnesses.
| The social amusements of th
mountaineer are not varied, but in
/ tense, and largely innocent. In con
e versation, a bold imagery, graph
/. and hyperbolie verbiage, an i'm
: pressive use Of the things aroun
4 him IN illustration, and what seem
Y a consistent use of original and in
4 ported slang are characteristic.
t tendency to ''go yon one better o
o any eztravagant assertion seems il
d resistible, and he will compass th
d widest and most ludierous exaggel
o alton to accomplish it. Conversin
d once with a wood-sauyer, [ remarl
d ed that pulling erosscut saw W;
Y not such hard work if the other fe
low knew his business and did M
S ride on the saw. "Well, l don
IS mind his ridin','' was the ready n
Iply, ''if he don't drag his feet"
= They have their leaders WI
e shape their opinions, their Ice
n heroes whom they respect, and the
u favorite recoRtears whom they i'm
n tate and adroitly provoke to ma
Is ration. In their sports a sort
J. youthful aninialism often prevail
,r wrestling and mock fighting eve
1t among men of middle age being
,i favorite pastinc- | think there
n something in their snrroundin;
r and the stimulating, nervous atmo
Y. 'phere that rrovokes this. ha