The Bessemer indicator., 1894-03-31
ONE GIRLS FUNERAL.
In the Early Days of Montana Was Dif
fersnt From Most Funerals.

During the construction days OF
the Northern Pacific railroad many
small towbs were born that flour
ished until the road was built-,ben
died. The little story following
actually occurred. and made an i'm
preston on me that | shall never
forget, says d writer in the Orting
Oracle. 70 me there was d tings OF
sadness that went straight 10 the
heart l occupied the exalted posi-
tion OF justice OF the peace. Now a
justice OF the peace in Montana in
early days was u bigger man than
the chief justice Of the United States
Is to-day. and had perpetual variety
of entertainment lie marries peo-
pie. buries the dead. puts out fires,
takes drink with every body. settles
family rows. breaches, makes
speeches, and must be ready for any
kind OF work. For this aggregation
of duties he is called Judge; but II he
renders n wrong decision his name Is
Dennis.
Ono cold morning ! was waited
upon by IA delegation Of gamblers
and informed that one OF the girls
was dead. They said she had passed
in her checks during the night, and
as she was the slickest girl in tho
camp she was to have a 2i-carat send
off and no mistakes. went around
to see the body to find out, If posi-
BILE, the cause OF her death. | was
satisfied that the girl had taken
morphine and died from the effects,
and so rendered my decision, which
satisfied all. set the hour for the
funeral, and returned to the cabin to
prepare my remarks There was
not bible in the camp, and SO | had
to play it alone. 1t was cold
stormy Montana winter day, and that
added much to the sadness OF the
occasion The grave was dug out
among the pines, and more God.
forsAken place it would have beer
hard to find. but it was the best we
had or could get.
The hour arrived, the procession
formed, myself in front OF the pail.
bearers. consisting of gamblers, with
the body in n rough pine box. Next
came the girls of the town and the
business men in the rear We
wended our way slowly to the last
resting place. where, alone and un
known, amid the rocks and pines
with the awful stiffness of the noun
tains, all that was earthly of thai
unfortunate girl would stay until the
last day.
No one could pray, no one coulC
sing. poured out my soul to my
God in my poor stumbling way-told
| him all about it. We were unani
nous in the belief that she was more
sinned against than SHINING, and
would He in His infinite goodness
and loving kindness forgive her. wipe
out all the black spots on her soul
forget her past and save her for her
souls sake? Would He suspend all
rules, throw open wide the portals OF
heaven, have sweetest music played
on thousand golden harps, and bid
that poor tired sin-stained soul enter
the realms OF happiness. purity and
rest?
1t was our funeral because every.
body did all they could. There were
but few OF all kinds, to be sure. but
humans with souls to save. There
are many OF the old boys scattered
through the Northwest who will
recollect that stormy Montana day,
and how we knocked at eternity,
door for udmittance for that girl.
soul. and all will agree that ou
knocking was not in vain-that tn,
gates We're thrown open and forgive
ness and rest came to her