Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-07-13
PARSON TOM.
a story of Southern Colorado Mining
Camp.

camp
Saddle Hoss Pete's record in the mining
camps of the San Juan district was as I'M
savory as his crouching form was unsightly
and his hoarse voice disagrceable. He
was short, thick-built man-if man he
really was, for he had more the appearance
of a boy-who shulled about and leered at
you with devilish grin which made you
feel uneasy in his presence.
His brain was quick though his physical
movements were Slow and he was strong
as a beast. His record was that of tin-hern
gambler and all-round thief. Added to
this he bore the reputation of having been
run out of Leadville for horsestealing, and
having escaped from Tombstone's ready
made justice, charged with like offence.
Thus he came to the mining camp lying in
a pretty basin under the shadow of old
King Solomon, one of the grandest noun
tains of southern Colorado.
Nine-tenths of the population had de-
parted before the first storm had come, as
was the custom in new camps in the early
days before the railroads had broadened
the trails and opened the passes through
the Rocky Mountains. Only about one
hundred men and women remained in camp
that winter, and they had little else to dc
than amuse themselves. They were law
abiding, and had little use for peace Off
GERS. So the town and county officials
took their usual vacation with others who
did not feel like facing the rigid winter
which was predicted.
Saddle-IIoss Pete did not 90 out with
the majority. In fact, Pete seldom acted
with the majority. He usually formed a
minOrity-of one. But he was not disap-
pointed at their leaving him. He thought
he would be able to stand it for one sea
son. But Paymaster Bill and Big Frank
who seemed to be looked upon as guardians
of the affairs of the camp, plainly told him
that he must get out-that the penalty OF
his return would be sudden death. Sc
Saddle-Hoss Pete departed before the
second storm had come-whither no body
knew.
Parson Tom had come to the camp in
the previous spring, and had made good
impression on his own kind of people
though the present remaining population
knew little of him, and did not care
whether he remained or not. None OF
them were church-going people. But as
the parson said he had no idea of preach
ing, nobody objected to his staying in camp
He gave as reason for staying that in
case of death his services would be needed
Beyond that he would not intrude his
offices.
The extreme length of the winter had
led Paymaster Bill to inquire into the par
sons finances; and learning that there was
a probability of his running short before
his parishioners should return Bill pro
posed to the men in the camp that a purse
be raised.
His suggestion was acted upon, and Pay
master Bill himself presented the hatfu OF
money, accompanying the presentation
with an appropriate eNtempOre speech, in
which he advised ParsOn Tom of the APP
probation of the donors.
Parson Tom declared he could not ac-
cept the money unless he should have an
opportunity to earn it.
'But we don't none of us want ter die, -
objected Bill, list ter give We a chance ter
earn the money. We'd ruther pay We ter
pray fer our continued good health, jist as
we drinks ter your good health wen we
makes up that purse
Parson Tom laughed, and said he had
no desire for the demise of any one. but
merely wanted to give them some return
for the money
That night Parson Tom appeared in Big
Franks saloon, where the entire male
population was endeavoring to break the
bank, having cleaned up the Corner saloon
early in the evening.
The appearance of the parsOn created a
hutter, and one or two superstitious play
ers lost every bet they made for the bal
ance of the deal When the end of the
deal had been reached the parson asked
their attention for few minutes, and,
mounting the platform which held the
lookout chair, he thanked them kindly for
their generous donation, and said if they
would come to the little schoolhouse on
Sunday evening for half-hour he would
endeavor to entertain them without preach
ing a sermon. He declared that he could
not accept their money without earning it.
e The invitation was accepted and the
parson was asked to have a cigar, which
he lighted, while the crowd drank "to the
health of Parson Tom" He bowed his
Acknowledgements without further inter
ruption of the game.
Upon entering his cabin, Parson Tom
stirred the fire, thinking of his visit, and,
after sitting by its warmth till he had
thawed himself he went to his trunk,
which held his treasure, to look at the
little hoard of gold and silver which these
rough men of the mountains had so kindly
donated.
1t was not there Perhaps in his ex-
citement at his good fortune, he had hid
den it from himself and forgotten the hid
ing place, But, no, it was not in the
cabin!
The parson was troubled. He could not
believe that any of the men who had been
so kind to him would be guilty of robbery.
And yet the money was gone. The long
buckskin bag in which he kept his money
and which bore his name worked in silken
thread he found behind the trunk.
When he met Paymaster Bill on the fol-
lowing morning he mentioned his loss
Bill was astonished. He did not believe
that any man in the camp was mean
enough to steal, sat any rate not parsons
The story of the loss of ParsOn Toms
money was told about the camp, and, while