The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-25
CHRISTMAS
AT SNAGTOWN.

j. r. AltemtLs in the Neto York Herald.
Enagtown was a characteristic western
settlement in the Black Hills. 1t had been
established but short while and the miners
had hard time to keep their foothold
against the onslaught Of the Indians, who
took a fiendisk delight in creeping down on
them whenever they got a chance. But
when the first Christmas came around
Snagtown was considered to be on a solid
foundation, aud the Snagtownites proposed
20 have a roaring good time. IL was de-
cided that tremendous big feast should be
given at the Snagtown Arms, In which
all should take part, on Christmas after
noon. and Jack Billings. the only boniface
in the place, had been instructed that IN
less he did his very best the boys would
raise particular Cain with him. A week
before the event was TO take place a meet
ing was held and a committee on arrange
ments was appointed with orders to spare
no expense. "Git loads o. grub an plenty
o. lush. y the chairman OF the meeting said +,
asshe mentioned the names of those who
were to be responsible that the landlord Of
the Snagtown Arms did his work properly.
The committee Immediately got together
60 decide what they should have at the
feast. Jack Billings and his colored cook
were called In for consultation. i've got
loads of booze that was brought out on the
u,
in answer to a question OF one OF the COM
mittee in regard 20 what he had on hand
"but about the grub, l hardly know what
you want"
''Dere's loads o. ven'son, Marso Jack,
Pete, the cook exclaimed, cam ducks an
rabbits, an den dere's dat coon dat Marse
Field shot dis mornin'.n
That's only ordinary grub" one of the
committee rejoined. "We've got TO have
something better than that. What's a
Christmas dinner without turkey and cram
berry saucer
That's true enough. pard, }" another menu
Der rejoined, but think where you are.
There are no turkeys around this region
and no cranberries. doubt even IL you
could find one over at Fort Wales and that's
300 miles from here. We had better put up
with what Billings has,"
well have to-" said another.
During this conversation there was q
member of the committee who bad re-
manned quiet In a corner OF the room sit
ting on a barrel with his legs crossed,
smoking his pipe and looking as il he were
deeply engaged In thought. He was a tall
broad shouldered fellow, not over 80 years
of age. with heavy black beard and long
black hair, and a face that indicated intelli-
gence and honesty. He wore blue fan
mel shirt, corduroy trousers. bslted in
around the waist and the legs tucked into
high boots. A light sombrero was set on
the back Of his head. This was Mike
Field, whom Pete had mentioned as
having killed the coon. He was a
general favorite among the miners, and his
opinion was much sought after in
the decision Of difficult questions in which
the bowie knife and pistols did not enter,
and for this reason he was given the name
OF the judge, and whenever a court was
held he was called upon to preside Field
was taciturn man and never spoke about
his former life, but one could tell from his
manner OF talking that he was fellow who
had had the advantages of good educa-
tton.
Look here, boys" Field said, as he came
up to the group, clustered around the stove.
i've just been thinking about this matter
and Pm OF the same opinion as Cummings
and that is that we must have a TURKEY. "
Allof them looked at Field, anxious 70
hear what be had to propose.
1T only lacks five days before IL will be
Christmas. pard,n one of the COMMITTEES
remarked, as he blew a Whit of smoke
from his pipe, aud smile crossed his face
as be thought that for once in his life Field
would be stuInped.
That makes not the slightest bit OF diff
Ference Field rejoined. Il wouldn't care