The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-30

miners passed OH their way from their work
10 their tents and cabins farther down the can
gon.
Rocky Camp had picturesque situation
Ia long. irregular-shaped canyon, deep
within tie Rockies For the past two years its
;phabitsu,s lad been just barely able to sub
sst on tie meager returns from the various
claims located along its ragged course
NeighAoTing camps had struck good dirt"
others hsG been the scenes of fortunes made
and lost in day, but over in Rocky Canyon
things had not varied. No great find"
occurred 10 upset the tranquility of its people,
who went GR living from hand to mouth, try
ing not 10 grumble because they were less for
tunate than their neighbors.
But Suddenly Rocky Camp changed its repu-
tation. Biz Dan had abandoned his old claim
and siaised out a new enc farther up the
canyon Ia less than a week, the Mayors
claim was Welding liberal quantities of the
precious," the inhabitants were losing their
y pokiHess' aud attacking the rugged inches
of the canyon with fresh vigor. Indeed, the
pamp was inst on the eve of great boom,
when the notice which we quote at the
beginning Of this story appeared.
As the miners moved homeward for their
suppers they would stop and read, or have
read by some one of their number possessing
that accomplishment, the words on the paper
Various were the speculations as TO the signifi-
canoe OF the meeting called for that night.
docs ilsc dock ymint say by whose ordthers
the meetia is called?" asked Shorty MCGEE,
trying 10 over the shoulders of a score of
his big-stsared fellows
No; hut it's the Mayors orders, of course,
though Jhir writins not his" returned Doc
sobnson.
"lt's his ,sra's scratchin', reckon, fer he's
er eddycaic.i CHAP" supplied Slim Hohson, who
was the proyerbial lean man OF the camp.
"Mot's thcr meanin' of Their call?n asked
newcomer.
"Thets wet we're tryin TO find out"
Mebie scme chaps been fngerin' the
Mayors dcs:' suggested another.
- Meb5e it means lyachin' fer somebody"
ayes, ne,be tlIar's a necktie party on Their
apis" agreed Slim Iobson.
Faith III be afther tellin' yez how yen
fnd out what il names"
How's ti:at, Shortly"
Ate yer snrfers as soon as possible, go to
The Green Star. an The Mayor hisself viii be
there 10 tell yez."
"Yell s9re Kit run for Congressman from
this Deesrie. Shorty, yer gittin' thet smart"
remarked Dec Johnson.
{ But they took the little Irishman's advice,
and fled CT down the path to their suppers.
There had DOT been public meeting called
that Spring in fact. not since the one held at
The Grcca Star Saloon in December to settle
The question Of RAINING a thievish miner out
=
long tino had elapsed since the citizens of
Rocky Camp had assembled to give expression
70 their sentiments in public meeting
Dan Henley, or Big Dan, as he was called in
miners paflance, because of his great physical
proportions. was jorial fellow, about 35 aud
the strongest and most energetic man in the
canyon.
He and his "pard," VIII Perry, were the
founders of the camp. When Doc Johnson
and Dave Wiley came with their families. they
had found Big Dan and good looking young
chap Of about "a chipping away at the rocks
mp the canyon. Other miners, with and with
out families had followed them. So Rocky
Camp had been started, and by unanimous
consent Big Dan was chosen to be Mayor
1t was not often. however that he was called
upon TO perform his official duties. and only
Occe before had the Mayor been known TO call
9 convention Of the citizens
At an early hour the Green Star was
crowded |ith throng of miners, eager TO
learn the rurpert of that meeting.
& hearty Good evenin', boys" announced
the arrival OF the Mayor, who was followed By
q slencerly built young man. with brown hair
and mnsiaehe. There was a great contrast be-
tween Big Dan and his "pard," as regarded
their general appearance. One displayed the
speech and manners Of years spent On the from
Tier; tue ether despite his efforts 10 adapt him.
self to his surroundings, revealed the fact of his
life. Yet, strange rs il was TO some of the eiti-
gems, strong friendship existed between the
Mayor and his "pard." year previous TO
the starting Of Rocky Camp VIII Perry bad
saved the life Of Big Dan from the hand of a
cowardly Mexican assassin, when they had
both been visiting at mining camp in New
Mexico. Since then they had been companions
and partners.
Let every galoot give car" was the char
gcterisiic way in which Big Dan opened the
meeting
"Ain't We Twin in free country P" he
asked, looking around him at the faces all
more or less begrimed with dirt and sweat
that were turned inquirinsiy toward him.
You bet we be-" was shouted back from a
Score Of Threats.
An Amt we citizens o. the United States
OF Americky?" he went On.
Thets wot We air. r"
Every Iast hooter of US is a tough old galoot
@! miner down hyer in Rocky CANYON. but
we got souls under our rags and our dirt an
can lee the puisaiioas o patriotism as big as
them Eastern folks"
"Thet's wot."
dirt?"
Yer shouiin'l"
An tier land o. Their free. and Their home
o her-ther-galoo.?" he finished
iriumphantly.
Their land wot's got thor very backbone an
sinewy independence cIar frum ther big
DeaVlh an pantin Atlantic to ther roarin' am
Eweiila Paciacf" he continued, warming with
ahe embellishments he WAS giving his subject.
Here roasing cheer Tor the Mayor of Rock Y
Camp stopped him for minute. When silence
was again secured, he proceeded in his inter
ToSatoIy style.
: How many o. yer galoots feels Their risin's
an sweIilns O patriotism under yer shirt
fronts wien ger sec our country's flag wavin'
an tber zefhyrs?" he demanded
Every hand testified in the affirmative and
tho Green S,ar fairly trembed from the vocifer-
Gus cheering that accompanied the voting
Even Shorty MCGEE, whose attachment TO the
Emerald Isle was very tender, was yelling him.
self hoaise.
The voice Of the Mayor again subdued the
noise. lear me further. We citizens O. Rocky
Camp! Not's tier matter with our celebratin'
taer Fourth O July?"
voices.
"Ihet's what / said," returned Big Dan.
Inc tier question TO be decided right hyer
t9-llSdt 10 ger want Fourth o. July cele-
b'aGoh cr Lot? Do yer want to be like civil
iZeo iol8s, ANA have patriotic dein's, or air
Yer SATISFIED TO stick TO yer galootness an act
IKE we cian't live in country tibet was
oneiafd !ree an independent on July 4. in the
gear q oaf Lord Amighty-Waal, it tells in