The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-12-16
CHRIsTmaS At SuaGTOWX.
BY j. r. ALTEMUs.

III y. i. ALIfMlSs
Snartown was characteristic West
ern settlement in the Black Hills. III
had been established but "A short while
ind the miners had had hard time 10
keep their foothold against the onslaught
of the Indians, who took ficndish de-
light IN creeping down on them in the
night and destroying their huts and kill.
ing them whenever they got chance.
But when the first Christmas came
around Snagtown was considered TO be
on solid foundation, and the Snag-
townites proposed to have roaring
good time II was decided that tre-
mendous big feast should be given at
the Snagtown Arms, in which all should
take part, on Christmas afternoon, and
Jack Billings, the only boniface in the
place, had been instructed that unless he
did his very best the boys would raise
particular Cain with him. A week be.
fore the event was to take place meet
ing was held and n committee on arrange
ments was appointed, with orders To
spare no expense. "Git loads o grub"
the chairman of the meeting said, as he
mentioned the names of those who were
10 be responsible that the landlord OF
the Snagtown Arms did his work prop.
erly. The committee Immediately got
together TO decide what they should
have at the feast. Jack Billings and his
coiored cook were called in for consulta-
ton.
''Dere's loads o. ven'son, Marse Jack, "
Pete, the cook, exclaimed, San ducks
IN rabbits, an uen deres dat coon dat
Marse Field shot dis mornin'"
That's only ordinary grub" one of
the committee rejoined.. "We've got to
have something better than that. What's
Christmas dinner without turkey and
cranberry saucer"
That's true enough, pard," another
member rejoined "but think where you
are. There are no turkeys around this re-
Cion and no oranberres. doubt even il
you could find one over at Fort Wales,
and that's 800 miles from here. We had
better put up with what Billings has"
"We'll have to, " said another.
During this conversation there was a
member of the committee who had re
mained quiet in corner Of the room
sitting on barrel. with his legs crossed,
smoking his pipe and looking as If he
were deeply engaged in thought. lie
was tall, broad-shouldered fellow, not
over thirty years of age, with heavy
black beard and long black hair, and n
face that indicated intelligence and
honesty. He wore "A blue flannel shirt,
corduroy trousers, beltcd in around the
waist and the legs tucked into high
boots. A light sombrcro was set on the
lack of his head. This was Mike Field,
whom Pete had mentioned as having
killed the coon. He was II general fav-
Orite among the miners, and his opinion
was much sought after i'll the decision
OF difficult questions in which the bowie
knife and pistol did not enter, and for
this reason he was given the name of the
Judge, and whenever n 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
coed education.
Look here, boys" Field said, as he
came up to the group clustered around
the stove, 1--WE Just been thinking
about this matter, and I'm of the same
opinion as Cummings, and that is that
we must have a turkey"
All of them looked at Field, anxious
TO hear what he had to propose.
at only lacks five days before it will
be Christmas, pard,' one of tue com.
mi,tee remarked, as he blew Whit of
smoke from his pipe, and a smile crossed
his face as he thought that for once in
his life Field would be stumped.
That makes not the slightest bit o
difference Field reioincd. Il wouldnt
care if it only was the day before Christ
mas. IL this committee decided upon
having turkey for dinner it would have
to be secured at any expense
''lt is well enough 10 talk that way
Mike, but none of us are magicians ant
can't see how we are going to get tur
key when none is around"
''Well, I'll tell YOU boys, that we az,
going to have turkey and I'm going t,
get it," Field exclaimed, with a look o
decision on his face. Mate, will yol
let me have your mustang"
''Why cert, Jcdge. I'll let yer hav,
anything that yer want" Nate Cumming
answered.
"All right. I'll start tonight. Yo,
boys can go on with the arrangement
and have the other good things mad,
ready and I'll start for the turkey"
'Do you really mean it, Jedge," th,
committee asked in chorus.