Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-02-20

40 was IN thc Early Days ~ Montana and
Was Di1rront From Most Funerals.
During tho Construction days Of tho
Northern Pacific railroad many small
towns we're born that hourished until the
road was completed and then died. The
little story following actually occurred
and made an impression on me that I
shall never forget. To me there was q
tingeof sadness that went straight to tho
heart. OCCUPIED the exalted positiono Of
justice Of the peace. Now, a justice Il
tho peace in Montana in early days wase
bigger man than the chief justice Of tho
United States Is today and had n per-
petaal variety entertainment. He mar
ried people, buried the dead, put out fires,
took a drink with everybody, refereeddog
fights, settled family rows, preached,
made speeches and had to be ready for
any kind Of work. For this aggregation
Of duties he was called judge, but If no
rendered a wrong decision his name was
Dennis.
One cold morning I was waited upon
by a delegation Of gamblers and inform
ed that one Of the girls was dead. They
said she had passed ia her checks during
the night, and as she was the slickest
girl in the camp she wal to have a "a
carat senG0m and no mistake. l went
around to see the body 10 find out, X
possible, the cause Of her death. l was
satisfied that the girl had taken morphine
and died from tho effects, and 90 / rem
dered my decision, which satisfied all.
set the hour for the funeral and returned
to the cabin 10 prepare my remarks.
There was not a Bible In the camp. and
so I had TO play It alone. It wa a cold,
stormy Montana winter day, and that
added much to the sadness of the occa.
sion. The grave was dug out among the
pines, and a more God forsaden place i;
would have been hard to find, butt it was
the best we had or could get.
The hour arrived; the procession form.
ed, myself in front Of the pallbearers,
consisting Of gamblers, with the body in
a rough pine box. Next came the girls
Of the town and the business men in tho
rear. We wendell our way slowly to tho
last resting place, where, alone and un.
known, amid the rocks and pines, with
the awful stiffness Of the mountains, all
that was earthly Of that unfortunate girl
would stay until the last day.
No one could pray; NJ one could sing
I poured out my soul to my God in my
poor, stumbling way-told him all about
It. We were unanimous in the belief
that she was more sinned against than
SHINING, aud would he in his infinite good.
ness and loving kindness forgive her,
wipe cut all the black spots on her soul,
forget her past and save her for her soul
sake? Would he suspend all rules, throw
open wide the portals of heaven, nav,
sweetest music played on a thousand
golden harps and bid that poor, tired
sin stained soul enter tho realms of hap
pines5, parity and rest?
1t was u funeral, because everybody
did all they could. There were but few
Of all kinds, to be sure, but human.
with souls to save. There are many o
the old boys scattered through tho north
west who will recollect that stormy
Montana day, and how we knocked a
eternity's door for admittance for tina
girls sopl, and all will agree that on
Knocking was not in vain-that the gate
were thrown open and forgiveness an
rest came TO her.-Orting Oracle.