The Anaconda standard., 1895-12-25
a Merry Christmas

mediately got together to decide what
they should have at the feast. JACK
Billings and his colored cook were cali
ed dn for consultation. I've got loads
of booze that was brought out on the
last coach from Dawson's," BILLINGS re-
piled in answer to a question of one or
the committee in regard to what ne
had on hand; but the grub, hardly
know what you want"
'Dere's loads o. ven'son, Marse
Jack" Pete, the cook. exclaimed, an
ducks an rabbits, an den dere's dat
coon dat Marse Field shot this morn
in"
That's only ordinary grub" one Of
the committee rejoined. We've got TO
have something better than that.
What's a Christmas dinner without
turkey and cranberry saucer"
That's true enough. pard," another
member rejoined, ''but think where you
are. There are no turkeys around TINS
region and no cranberries. doubt
even IL you could find one over at Fort
Wales and that's 300 miles from here.
We had better put up with what Bill
ings has"
Wen have to-" said another.
During this conversation there was a
member of the committee who had re-
mained quiet in a corner of the room
sitting on a barrel, with his legs cross
ed, smoking his pipe and looking as II
he were deeply engaged In thought. He
was tall, broad-shouldered fellow,
not over 80 years of age, with heavy
black beard and long black hair, and
a face that indicated intelligence and
honesty. He wore a blue flannel shirt,
corduroy trousers, belted In around the
waist and the legs tucked into high
boots. A light sombrero was set on the
back of his head. This was Mike Field.
whom Pete had mentioned as having
III Ind A1a.t IN
vorite among the miners, and his opin-
lon was much sought after in the de-
cision of difficult questions in which
the bowie knife and pistols did not en-
ter, and for this reason he was given
the name of judge, and whenever a
court was held he was called upon to
preside. Field was a tactiturn man
and never spoke of his former life, but
one could tell from his manner of talk
Ing that he was a fellow who had had
the advantages of a good education.
Look here. boys" Field said, as he
came up to the group clustered around
the stove, I've just been thinking
about this matter, and I'm of the same
opinion as Cummings. and that is that
we must have a turkey"
All of them looked at Field, anxious
to hear what he had to propose.
1T only lacks five days before IL will
be Christmas, pard," one of the COM
mittee remarked, as he blew a Whit of
smoke from his pipe, and a smile
for once in his life Field would be
stumped.
THAT makes not the slightest bit OF
difference" Field rejoined. II wouldn't
care If IL only was the day before
Christmas. If this committee decided
upon having turkey for dinner IL would
have to be secured at any expense"
to nal a. &.ll
Mike, but none of us are magicians,
and 1 can't see how we are going to
get turkey when none is around"
We'll, I'll tell you, boys, we are go
ing to have turkey and I'm going to
get it," Field exclaimed, with a look
of decision on his face. Mate, will
you let me have your mustang?"
why, cert, jedge. I'll let yer have
anything that yer want" Nate Cum
mings answered.
"All right. I'll start tonight You
boys can go on with the arrangements
and have the other good things made
ready and I'll start for the turkey"
do you really mean 1t. jedge?" the
committee asked in chorus.
Il was never more serious in all my
life"
Mike Field, when once his mind was
made up to do a certain thing, always
proceeded to accomplish IL. AS soon
as he decided TO start out in search OF
a turkey he made Nate Cummings go
and bring up his mustang and he
mounted.
He did not tell the others where he
was going or how he proposed to get
the turkey, and rode off. After he was
gone the men returned to their places
around the stove. 1t was a cold night
out, the snow was deep on the hills
and in the valleys. and none of them
cared to spend much time in the open
air.
Il think that Mikes going to play
some joke" one of the men remarked
after they had seated themselves in
their places and ordered Billings to
I'LL up the glasses with hot toddy.
He may, but 1 doubt II. He's got
some plan in his noddle, you can gam
BILE on it," another rejoined.
I'll bet any un that Mike fetches
tn game" Nate Cummings spoke up
as he threw a log OF wood into the
fire.
It's a go, Nate I'll take you up.
I'll bet yer 40 ounces tibet he don't"
Here IL air. Now ye put up an Bill
ings will hold the dust
Jack Billings was on hand and took
the dust from the men. weighing IL on
a scale 20 see IL IL were just weight.
| and then he put II away until the time
came when the bet should be won.
Three days passed by. Mike Field
had not yet returned and IL only lacked
| one more day before IL was Christmas.
The committee had completed their
work. the dinner was all arranged for
and the meats and game were being
prepared by Pete. who flew about the
camp with an air of great importance.
Christmas eve came. the Snagtown-
| ties were assembled at the Arms and
| still there was no sign OF Mike Field.
The members of the committee. as well
as the others who had been informed
\ of the judges expedition. began 20
I grow anxious and TO fear that some
\ accident had overtaken the man. Some
/ suggested that a search party be Or
| ganized. but this was squelched by the
I committee, who knew that n any such
thing were undertaken all OF their
work would be thrown away.
During the night the clouds darken-
| ed the moon was obscured. and wher
daylight dawned a terrific snow was
raging. One by one the Snagtownites
au-aLe naerQd ont At the storm and