The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-28
HOW PARSON TOMS
LIFE WAS SAVED.
From the San Francisco ArgOnaut.

he was short, thick-built man-if man
he really was, for he had more the APP
pearance OF boy-who shuf1ed about
and leered at you with devilish grin
which made you feel uneasy in his pres
ence.
His brain was quick though his physi-
cal movements were slow, and he was
strong as beast. His record was that
OF tin@horn gambler and all-round thief.
Added to this he bore the reputation Of
having been run out of Ieadville for horse
stealing, and having escaped from Tomb
stones ready-made justice, charged with
a like ohense. Thus he came to the
mining camp lying in a pretty basin IN
der the shadow of old King Solomon, one
Of the grandest mountains in Southern
Colorado.
Nineteen tbs of the populatlonrhad de-
parted before the first storm had come, as
WAS the custom IN new camps in the early
Gays before the railroads had broadened
the trails and opened the passes through
the Rocky mountains. Only about 100
men and women remained in camp that
winter, and they had little else to do than
amuse themselves. They were law-abid-
ing, and had little use for 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
Saddle-Hoss Pete did not go out with
the majority. In fact. Pete seldom acted
with the majority He usually formed
mlnority-of one. But he was not disap-
pointed at their leaving him. He thought
ne would be able to stand it for one sea-
son. But Paymaster Bill and Big Frank,
NHflfn r..ft r. L.
dams OF the affairs of the camp, plainly
told him that he must get out-that the
penalty of his return would be sudden
death. So Saddle-Hoss Pete departed
before the second storm had come
whittier, nobody 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 a 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
parsons finances; and, learning that
| there was probability of his running
short before his pensioners should re-
| turn, Bill proposed to the men in the
camp that a purse be raised.
His suggestion was acted upon, and
Paymaster Bill himself presented the
hatful OF money, accompanying the pre-
sentatlon with an appropriate eXtempOre
speech, in which he advised Parson Tom
of the appreciation of the donors
Parson Tom decided ne could not accept
the money unless he should have an OPP
portunity to earn it,
But we don't none of US want to die, "
objected Bill, list ter give We a chance to
earn the money. We'd rather pay We ter
pray fer our continued good,health, jist as
we drinks ter your good health Wen we
makes up that purse.H
Parson Tom laughed, and said he had
no desire for the demise of anyone, 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 ofIthe person 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 person asked
their attention for 4 few minutes, and,
mounting the platform which held the
| lookout chair, he thanked them kindly
| for their generous donation, and said il
| they would come to the little school house
| on Sunday evening for a half hour he
| would endeavor to entertain them with
| out preaching a sermon. He declared
! that he could not accept their money
| without earning it,
The invitation was accepted, and the
! parson was asked to have cigar, which
| he lighted, while the crowd drank 'to the
! health of Parson Tom" He bowed his
! acknowledgements without further in
! corruption of the game
| Upon entering his cabin Parson Tom
! stirred the fire, thinking of his visit and
after sitting by it's 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 mad so kindly
donated.
1t was not therel Perhaps in his ex
| element at his good fortune. he had hid
den it from himself and forgotten the
| hiding 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
| Inc long DuCkSkln Dag IN winch 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
| following morning he mentioned his loss
Bill was astonished. He did not believe
that any man in the camp was mean
enough to steal, lat any rate, not par
| sons money.
The story Of the loss of Parson Tom
money was told about the camp and,
while it was a mystery to some, the more
irreverent smiled and said they guessed
the parson was excited, and that it would
turn up all right in time.
On Sunday the sun shone out bright
| and clear, and old King Solomon was as
glorious sight as one might wish to see.
His biblical namesake, in all his reputed
glory, could not have furnished grander
inspiration. But Parson Tom had prom
ised not to preach. Besides he was not
quite sure that the incredulity concern
ing the loss of his money had entirely dis
appeared. So he must be careful what he
should say to them that night
Every male person was promptly on
hand that night at tho little school house,
and there was a sprinkle of the other sex
women who had not listened to a
preachers voice since they were little
girls.
The half hour was devoted to reading
stories, which were responded to by
hear lanuhtay nd Favsr