The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-02-02

VuCk tnouyn MS
physical movements were slow, and he
was strong rs beast. His record was
that of in-horn gambler and all. round
thief. Added to this he bore the repu-
tation of having been run out of LeaI-
vile for horse stealing, and having cs-
capped from Tombstone's readv-ma,lc
!nsti"e, charged with like offcnsc.
Thus he came to the mining camp w.
ing in pretty basin under the shadow
of old King Solomon, one of the
grandest mountains of Southern Col
orado.
Ninc-tcnths of the population ha,l
departed before the first storm hal
come, rs was the custom in new CAMPS
in the carly days before The railroads
had broadcnrd the trails AMI opened
tho passes through the Eocky Noun
tains. Only about one hundred mcu
and women remained in camp that
winter, and they had little clso TO do
than amuse themselves They wcro
law-abiding and had little us1 foy,
peace officers, So the town and county
officials took their usual vacation with
others who did not feel like facing the
rigid winter which WAS predicted.
Saddlc-Hoss Pete did not 60 ont
with the ";;a1it,. Hc Usually formed
a minority--of one. But he WAS not
disappointed ut their leaving him. He
thought he would be able to stand il
for one season. But Paymastcr Bill
and Big Frank, who seemed to he
looked upon rs guardians Of the affairs
of the camp, plainly told him TINT he
must go out-that the penalty of his
return would he sudden death. So
Saddlc-Hoss Pete departed before tho
second storm had come whittier no.
body knew
Parson Tom had come TO the camp
in the previous spring nnl had mo le a
good impression on his own kind os
people, though the present remaining
population knew little of him, and did
not care whether he remained or not.
None of them were church-goin3 peo-
pie. But rs the parson said he had
no idea of preaching, nobody objected
to his staying in camp. He gave q
reason for staying that in casc Of death
his service would be needed. Beyond
that he would not iatrldc his offices.
The extreme length of the winter
had led Paymaster Bill to inquire into
the parsons finances; aud, learning
that there was probability of his
running short before his parishioncrs
ehould return, Bill proposed to tho
nen in the camp that purse be raised.
His suggestion was acted upon, and
faymastcr Bill himself presented the
hatful OF money, accompanying the
presentation with an appropriate cx-
tcmpore speech, i'll which he advised
Parson Tom of the appreciation of the
donors.
Parson Tom declared he could not
accept tho money unless he shcmld
have an opportunity to earn it.
'But we don't none of us want ter
die" objected Bill, "jist ter give We
chance ter earn the money. We'd
ruther Fay ye ter pray fer our con.
tinued good health, jist as we drinks
ter your good health wen we makes
up that purse.
Pnrson 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 III
Big Franks saloon, where the entire
male population was endcavoring to
break the bank, having cleaned up the
Corner saloon early in the evening.
The appearance of the parson created
q flutter, and one or two superstitious
players lost every bet they made for
the balance of the deal. When the end
of the deal had been reached, the par
son asked their attention for few
minues, and, mounting the platform
which held the lookout chair, he
thanked them kindly for their gener-
Gus donation, and said if they would
come to the little school house on Sun
day evening for half hour he would
endeavor to entertain them without
preaching n sermon. He declared that
he could not accept their money with
out earning it.
Upon entering his cabin. Parson
Tom stirred the fire, thinking of his
visit, and, after sitting by its warmth
Till ne had thaweu himself, he went to
his trunk, which held his treasure, to
look Mt the little hoard of gold and
mountains had so kindly donated.
1t was not there Perhaps, in his
excitement ut his good fortune, he had
hidden it from himself and forgotten
the hiding place. But no, it was not
in the cabini
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 Paymastcr Bill on the
following morning, he mentioned his
loss, Bill was aStonished. Ho did not
believe That any man in the camp was
mean enough TO steal, cat any rate, not
n parsons money
The story of the loss OF Pnrson Toms
money was told about the camp, and,
while it was II mystery to somr, the
more irreverent smiled and sid they