The record-union., 1892-02-20
Lone STAR OF LASSBN.
written for the REcoRD-UN1oS bv Len.l

ers, and many strangers drlfted into town
on the general wave OF prosperity
Among the fotsam and jetsam that
drifted in was tall, handsome girl, evil
IDENTIFY Texan. She carried violin
that she handled with grace and skill,
and the night she first came she gave an
exhibition in the bare, big dining-room
OF the Summit of Rest, the big hotel at
Iassen. To the music of her violin she
danced gracefully, whirling and postum
ing IN clever way, that showed she was
a danseuse of no ordinary merit, familiar
with all the dances in vogue, and also
with the arrow, the lance and sword
dance OF various Indian tribes.
The miners were enthusiastic over the
performance, and a generous contribu-
ton OF nuggets and gold coins filled the
cap she carried around after the perform
ance. Her extraordinary beauty had its
effect on several men who had imbibed
too freely, but to the one remark adj
dressed 10 her her reply came in a clear,
ringing voice heard all over the Toom:
stranger, you say that again and you'll
dance galop to a whistling bullet. on
your way to Jordan, faster than you'd
care to travel" drawing as she spoke a
silver mounted revolver from her belt,
anu lie1SillIlE 81 il0Iy SldLlC0 dI Inc llltD,
VINO quaIled, and said: Il never meant
nuthln', miss: call it square, and | won't
open my head TO YOU" This one lesson
impressed the men that Lone Star, as she
was called, could take care Of herself
After this the girl rented cabin near
town, bought a couple OF large dogs for
company, and settled down, Offering her
services and music for the neighborhood
dances, and giving occasional exhibit
lions OF her own prowesS. She was a fine
shot, and kept her table supplied with
small game
The mining camp Of Lassen was a fine
site tor the study of characters that had
collected from every known quarter Of
the globe. Doctors delved in the mines
as if the earth was rich patient and re-
CURED strict attention; lawyers who had
been admitted to the bar were now only
interested in bars of gold; musicians who
toIled day by day in the mines were
much more interested in picks and SHOW
els than sharps or flats. Horny listed
sons Of Erin, +" ''shrewd Scotchmen1 and
,'bull-headed Englishmen' all worked
literally and tiguratively on the same
level
Sundays were devoted to washing and
cock fights. One day the notice appeared
on the saloon doors that "a grand cock
ing main would take place between
French Pete'S san Domingo cOckereI and
7 =
was a favorite, the other bird had never
! been heard Of
The day came clear and bright, and the
mines disgOrged enough men to fill the
three streets Of Lassen. Ledburg's Ra-
vine, smooth patch of turf surrounded
by low, rolling hills, was where the men
cOngregated. French Pete was sWagoer-
ing around dressed in blue overalls, and
scarlet sash with long fringed ends tied
around his waist q blue blouse with
scarlet cuffs and collar and a low felt hat
with wide brim.
san Domingo, the victor in a number
of mains, was in a wicler-work coon.
filling the air with defiant crows SIS he
peered out between the bars at the
''byes" in their coops and baskets. The
men were standing around discussing
races and fights, bookmen were taking
bets and talking about odds and gals in
one breath, and others were wondering
about Boston Bill's bird. AS Bill was a
newcomer his qualities were discussed.
WAL" said Sol Ludwig, ''if yer want
my 'pinion on Bill, | give it-he's all
wool and yard wide. fust-rate Teller all
through"
'Alebee so, mebee so" replied Ted
Ackers, but it pears to me he tries to
kerry to fur with short rifle"
He amt in no hurry TO fetch his bird
up. Guess he's Shaky in his mind on it's
merrits," said Lou Williams.
Just as this remark was made BIZ
sauntered up with the bird ''Tenderfoot''
under his arms. He had q red bandana
| tied carefully over the bird. AS it was
weighed the crowd pressed around to see
the opponent of San Domingo. It's
feathers were well up over his beak, in
fact it was acurious-looking bird, and if it
! had been in Barnum'S day it would have
classed with the "What is it,
Boston Bill seemed in hurry now to
have the birds commence. Matched in
weight within an ounce, the main was
fought for stake upon each battle and
so much for the main or winner of the
most battles in the main. The '.byes"
. were fought for smaller sums and by
birds not so well matched.
Pete unfastened the wicker coop and
San Domingo came out with strut and
short defiant crow that brought the blood
to his eyes, as he spied ''Tenderfoot'' lust
put out OF Boston Bills hands. ''Tender-
FOOT stood in humped-up heap Of long
feathers, the most disreputable-lookin
bird that ever entered a cocking-main,
The crowd hooted and yelled and q
small boy with a harmonica PLAYED "Hail
to the Chief" which made the crowd
laugh heartier than ever.
Bill did not seem to be affected by the
reproaches and insults heaped on the
head of his bird, but watched San Do
mingO, who stepped haughtily up TO his
foe and eyed him contemptuously, as if
to say: "Such looking bird is beneath
my dignity and too scrawny to be even
beneath my gatfs." Nevertheless, he
stepped forward amid the breathless ST.
lence of the crowd, who had stopned
jeering, to see what the birds would do.
San Domingo finally made pass by
jumping airily up and down. ''Tender-
foot' eyed him for a minute; the crowd
cheered, and the noise seemed to arouse
the dormant energy in Boston Bills bird.
He raised himself up, stretched out his
claw, grabbed San Domingo, and with
one twist the beautiful bird lay in front
Of him, a headless, fiuttering victim-not
the victor, as he had always been. A
yell went up from the crowd, and oatbs
from French Pete were heard. He was
the most astonished man living as he
picked up his dead favorite who had
brought him many twenty-dollar piece
Boston Bill retreated with his bird.
leaving friend to collect the bets he had
won. Bill left Lassen short time after,
and it was years before the story came
out that ''Tenderfoot" was bald eagle
skillfuilY fixed over with feathers. and
wire, while under strong narcotic made
to look like disreputable but able rooster
fit 10 fight in any main.
Still, San Domingo had many honest
mourners beside those who lost money,
for beauty even in mining camp is an
preciated. After this the crowd passed
on and up to the Summit Of Rest, to talk
and drink till evening and Lone Star
came to give her usual performance.
The six-horse stage passed in town
ahead of the crowd, and soon word was
passed around that White-h headed Ross
was in, and mounted on magnificent
black horse called Satan, whose speed
was unparalleled.
This Ross was a comparatively young
mo -bn aal fO I.n,-
visible means of support, yet always with
plenty of cash and fine horses and OIL