The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-12-16
81 was never more serious in my life. "

| a turkey ne maze Nate cummings 20 hHu
bring up his mustang and he mounted.
lie did not tell the others where he
was going or how he proposed 10 get the
turkey, and rode off. After he was gone
the men returned 10 their places
around the stove. 1t was cold night
out, the snow was deep on the hills and
in the valleys, and none Of them cared
to spend much time in the open air.
Il think that Mikes going 10 play
some Joke, " one Of the men remarked af-
ter they had seated themselves in their
places and ordered Billings TO fill up
the glasses with hot toddy.
"He may, but ] doubt it. He's got
some plan in his noddle, you can gamble
on il, another rejoined.
"I'll bet any un thet Mike fetches tn
game" Nate Cummings spoke upas he
| threw log OF wood into the fire.
ats a go, Nate. I'll take you up.
I'll bet yer forty ounces thet he don't. >"
Here it air. Now ye put up an
Billings will hold the dust"
Jack Billings was on hand and took
the dust from the men, weighing it on a
scale to see if it were Just weight, and
then he put it away until the time came
when the bet should be won.
Three days passed by, Mike Field had
not yet returned and il only lacked one
more day before il was Christmas. The
committee had completed their work
the dinner was all arranged for, and the
meats and game were being prepared by
Pete who flew about the camp with an
air Of great importance.
Christmas ave putua the SuaDtOWuit tpS
were assembled at the Arms and still
there was no sign of Mike Field. The
members OF the committee as well as the
others who had been informed Of the
Judges expedition, began TO grow
anxious and TO fear that some
accident had overtaken the man.
Some suggested that search party
be organized, but this was squelched
by the committee, who knew that il any
such thing were undertaken all Of their
work would be thrown away.
During the night the clouds darkencd.
the moon was obscured, and when day
light dawned terrific snow storm was
raging. One by one the Snagtownites
awoke, peered out at the storm and
made their way from their huts as quick
as they could over to the Arms. The
large room was filled with the savory
aroma of the cooking, and Pete moved
from the kitchen into the room at fre-
quent intervals. busyiDg himself at set
ting the table. lie was assisted by
Hattie Billings, the pride of Snagtown
and the only daughter of the bonifacc, n
buxom lass of nineteen, who was capa-
bic of holding her own against any man
in the camp and who would permit of
no undue familiarity from any OF them.
She had come 10 the place with her
father and was tho only woman in the
camp. The boys treated her like
queen, but the only one she looked upon
with any favoritism was Mike Field.
:" 1t does look, pards, cs ef tn Jedgc
war not goin' ter keep his promise
about thet thar turkey" Nate Cummings
exclaimed as he surveyed the decorated
table and smacked his lips at the hot
spiced rum he was slipping. Z" Wot
think yer, Hat"
"What do you ask me for?' the CIR!
asked with toss of her head, as she
flounccd out of the room. And then
coming in again she said, "lf any OF you
had had spark of sense you wouldn't
have let him 60"
"Wot has we uns ter do with il p
Nate asked with an offended air.
"You had enough. How do you know
but what the Indians may have waylaid
him? ?"
"Wal, Hat, cf yer Goin' TO lay tn
blame on us, an Of yer say 40, we'll start
of now and look arter i'm"
10 ,,,l, -. lsn IN
proposition"
Pete stood in the doorway during this
spat between Nate and Hattie, and II
broad grin spread over his face.
"Ncbber mind, Marsc Nate he cN-
claimed. Wc's got de coon, and dat's
Jest es good cs turkey any day in de
week.
Pete was driven back into the kitchen
by Hattie and the miners were left alone
TO discuss the probability of Mike Field
having met with some accident. They
had never known the Judge To fail yet in
anything that he had undertaken, and
even up 10 one o'clock they still had
hopes that Field would turn up. Nate
looked out of the window and, seeing
how the storm was raging, exclaimed:
"Thar's no chance for the Jedge now.
whats that, Nate" Hattie asked, as
she came into the room with large
bunch Of evcrgrecns, which had been
gathered, and which she hung up in the
centre of the room.
II sed tibet tn Jedge won't come ter
time" Nate answered.
What do YOU want to bet" the girl
said, looking down from the box on
which she was standing.
"Ill bet yer twenty ounces o gold
agin kiss thet he don't an we make
our Christmas dinner of coon instead o
turkey"
"Ill 90 YOU" Hattie exclaimed, as
She jumped DOWN off the box.
The girl was in eNubcrant spirits, and
when the other miners offered To make
the same bet with her she accepted
every one of them and made them put up
the dust then and there in the hants of
her father, who took particular pains to
see that the weight was correct. All Of