The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-15

obtainabe for the requirements Of gold
washing; it was rapidly becoming too pre-
ci0us a commodity TO be reckleSS!y EN-
plOyed as a Beverage result which glad
dened the heart of Bert TOgUe, the bar
keeueT. who, with the keennesS of yulture
for seeming out CarcaSseS, had followed
promptly upon the heels OF the thirsty min
eTs aud adventures.
The scenery was impressive and awe-ln-
spring. Bleak, barren, yet priceless quartz
reafs rose in long undulating waves OF
stone, Ike q petFfd can, on every slue.
Beyond these lay the brush and scrub, in
terspersed here and there with clumps OF
pine, while farther away stlll long range
OF low, naked hills stretched along tue SKY
line until they were lost in mist.
Those mills enjoyed an evil reputation as
resorts of bands of redskins, who had cut
of more than one prospecting party, and
of prairie pirates and road agents. who
were even mere meTcileSs than they. In
one thing both were cordially agreed
their hands were against the miners, and
equally the miners scored against them on
every possible opportunity. These fellows
served one useful purpose, Tor the fear and
dread OF them caused Us 10 keep together;
as to have fallen into their hands would
have been certain death.
One evening when the cradles were
busily rocking and the clippers flashing,
a stranger rode into the camp His laded
nag WAS nearly tTayel-spent; its tongue
lclled Imply out Of its mouth, the great
ears 4 lpped loosely over the bleared, blood
shot eyes, and its WltheTs we're badly
Wrung Nor was the appearance of the
rider more attractive. he was an under
sized, thin, Ted-haired man; and, as he sat
there upon his sorry Steed, almost spent
with fatigue and hunger, he looked the most
unprep0ssessing Of mOTtals.
The arrival Of a stranger was too conf
mon an event 10 attract attention IN a camp
Il H@n% ~F rrHfH% grin al p
was the one serious business of life. There
fore no one spoke 70 or even noticed the
newcomer, who, after looking slowly
around, IS if to take in all the bearings,
rode up 70 Togue's bar. Having climbed
down and hItCbed mp his nag, the stranger
entered the large shauty in search of that
provision for man aud beast which it was
the barkeeper's proud privilege 10 dispense
and that OF bis customers 10 pay for.
Lafa- IN the evening when digging was
ended and the everlasting damper tad been
disposed Of, the boys assembled beneath
Togue's hospitab.e roOftree for the aceus-
toned drink and fun. The Ted-haiTed ar
rival was present. keeping unObtrusiYely IN
the background. He had no kit with him,
nor anything 10 indicate that he was pros
Dectof, although his traYelstained ap-
pearance and the freedom with which he
spent his cash showed that be was familiar
with the customs of mining life.
In one Of the luis Of conversation he
spoke. His voice sounded soft and low ike
a Woman's, but its sweet and perfectly
mOdulated tones penetrated through the
long bar 1t was long since any of US had
listened to such q silver strain. Words
pure as the notes Of English sOngbirds and
.unsullied bysribaldry OF blasphemy were
all too scarce and strange on the Bang
along. or anywhere else in California.
VINO dye s'pOse he Is, mate?"
Don't know. One o. them Frisco chaps,
may be- P'r'aps a sneak a-spying cut the
nakedness Of the land.
The speaker laughed at his own sally
Of wit
Speculation was cut short almost at once.
The little Ted-haired man, turning 10 US,
said civIlly enough and with slight tremor
in his voice:
Boys. am a missionary. and have been
sent here that / may look after the interests
of those who have left fathers and mothers
behind in the old Eastern States"
The speech was greeted with derisiYe
laughter.
"a paTsODP
Taking no notice of the interruption,
except that his cheek Redeemed little, be
continued:
"You viii find NE a friend. By permis-
sion Of the keeper Of this saloon there will
be preaching here next Sunday afternoon
and mean to practice that which preach. -