The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-11-10
THE PARSONS QUEST.
How It Ended in "The Emma
Saloon"

There was a breezy crowd over in the
Emma saloon one night less than year
ago, and every man was well heeled,
arriving his revolver handy. and wore
his shirt open at the neck. As for the
women-there was only one. and she
rejoiced in the soubriquet of Scared
Emma" and you only had To look at
her hands to know why. They had
been burned to the bone, and. although
she Wore diamond rings to the first
joint of every finger, they didn't dis
gulse the horrid scars; scanned ana livid,
and of these Emma was prouder than
Of the rings. Well she might bc. Had
she not saved the lives Of men and
women bearing them in her arms from
burning building? And these scars
were her medals of honor for her
bravery.
Some OF the gang were playing draw
poker. others engaged in game of
seven up. Some drank and Ioafed,
loafcd and drank again, and chaffed
with the lundlady, who was about rs
amiahlc a a tiger
ON the night here alluded 10. Scared
Emma was busy handing out the min
rrs roison il copious doses. and listen
ing to such cheap compliments as We're
not too suggestive Of rcvolvers and
free fights, when the door opened. and
the deputy sheriff entered the place.
Every b.- -dy rose up. and a shout of
welcome greeted the newcomer.
Hello, Bill. glad to see yer Brung
in any new uns?"
Nav! Evenin', En-. About two fin
gers s'~aight, seein' l jest got in. Been
To C-Iaha for pesly hoss thief.
Tried TO get away. out here, and we
was goin' TO let him have il. but there
wuz 4 lCctlc weazened parsOn on the
stage an he interfered and prayed off
SO fluid like we weakened, an let the
fciler 20 with nary bullet in his
carcass. Here's to We, En-, for the
faircSt of yer sex Come on, boys, an
fill up at my expense"
H." tossed OF the dram and set the
tumbler down to be refilled.
Where's the parson?" asked the land
lady. smiling on the deputy as she
measured the fiery fluid with a liberal
hand.
lies stopped over 70 preach at HeH's
Delight, but he'll be at the Gulch to-
morroy, an doan yer forget 1t. less he
dies afore mornin' kind O. sudden from
a dose of cold lead. An Ia advise the
BOYS To grease their boots and be ready,
for he's n buster, the parson is
Say. Bill. " remarked Emma. stirring
his whisky by shaking it in the glass,
lis he young fellar?'
.'Aw, an sicIlly. Lord, yer can see
daylight through him"
AN takes sugar in his?"
''You bet
The crowd roared at Emma's wit, and
this time she Sc: it mp for them herself.
say, Bill, is he really comm here TO
preach?''
Look here, En-. You're tall1in'
through Your bonnit Come here he
may, but preach-ho. no. guess not
'.yyho says MOP" asked the woman,
and this time the tiger showed itself n
her eyes.
Il dove all do!'' roared the crowd
in rude chorus.
And / say ne shall
And she folded her Scared hands
across her bosom SO that all present
could see them. That one motion had
a strange effect upon those human
coyotes. who would have knitted man
in the back and made no account OF it
II il true that even desperadoes have
their soft moments. This woman
standing before them had one claim on
their respect, and as their eyes followed
that movement and fell on the Scared
and cicatrized hands, the dumb appeal
moved them as nothing else could have
done. Off went every hat. bearded lips
trcmbled. then, as there was danger of
too much sentiment there went M
cheer from twenty hoarse throatS-and
as Emma turned TO set up again for
them. She dashed something from her
eyes that might have been a tear.
So it happened that when Rev. James
For.yth reached Dead Mans Gulch, he
learned that the principal saloon was
prepared to receive him, being turned
for the time into a meeting house. All
through the little town and far into
the surrounding country these placards
were affixed to walls and trees: