The Anaconda standard., 1895-12-25

nit no undue familiarity from any OF
them. She had come to the place with
her father and was the only woman In
the camp. The boys treated her like
queen. but the only one she looked up
on with any favoritism was Mike Field.
1T does look, pards. es ef tn Jedge
war not goin' ter keep his promise
about thet thar turkey" Nate Cum
mings exclaimed as he surveyed the
decorated table and smacked his lips
at the hot spiced rum he was slipping.
"Wot think yer, Hat?"
what do you ask me for?" the girl
asked with a toss of her head as she
fiounced out OF the room. And then
coming in again she said. IF any of
you had had a spark of manhood you
wouldn't have let him CO."
"Wot has we uns ter do with it?"
Nate asked with an offended air.
You had enough. How do you know
but what the Indians may have way
laid him?"
wall. Hat, eff yer goin' ter lay tn
blame on us, an ef yer say so We'll
start off now an look arter i'm"
This is a high time to make such
proposition"
this spat between Nate and Hattie. and
a broad grin spread over his face.
"Nebber mind. Marse Nate" the
darky exclaimed. yves got de coon.
and dat's jest es good es turkey any
day in de week"
Pete was driven back into the kitch-
en- by Hattie and the miners were left
alone to discuss the probability of Mike
Field having met with some accident
They had never known the judge to
fail yet In anything that he had under
taken. and even up to o'clock they
still had hopes that Field would turn
up. Nate looked out OF the window
and, seeing how the storm was raging.
exclaimed:
"Thar's no chance for the jedge
now"
whats that, Mater" Hattie asked.
as she came into the room with large
bunch of evergreens which had been
gathered and which she hung UP In the
center of the room.
"I sed thet tn jedge won't come to
time." Nate answered.
What do you want to bet?" the girl
said, looking down from the box on
which she was standing.
'I'll bet yer 20 ounces O. gold agin a
kiss thet he don't an we make our
Christmas dinner off coon instead o.
turkey"
'T'n go you," Hattie exclaimed. as
she jumped down off the box.
The girl was in exuberant spirits.
and when the other miners offered to
make the same bet with her she ac-
cepted every one of them and made
them put up the dust then and there
in the hands OF her father. who took
particular pains to see that the
weight was correct All of the Snag-
townites considered IL huge joke,
and that Hattie was TO pay the forfeit
after the dinner.
Two O'Clock was the hour set at
which the feast was TO commence.
When that time arrived the miners
were as hungry as bears and were
anxious for the signal TO be given for
them to take their places. AS the
hands OF the clock pointed to the hour
Hattie stepped out of the kitchen and
| exclaimed:
Boys, stand up and make two lines.
| with an alley in the center"
The miners obeyed with alacrity.
wondering what Hattie could be up 20
and imagining that she had found some
| luck.
stand there now" she said as she
reviewed the line and then darted back
| into the kitchen, soon appearing with
a big fowl in her hands. Forward,
march,"
Then, with head erect and holding
aloft the fowl. she marched down be-
| tween the rows. She was followed by
Pete, who carried a steaming hot coon
on a large dish; then came Billings
with a roasted haunch of venison, and
then a sight presented itself to the
Snagtownites that made them stare
with open mouthed amazement. There
in the doorway. stood Mike Field hold
| ing up a dish on which was one of the
largest turkeys they thought they had
ever SEEN When did he come? How
did he get there? Where did he get the
bird? II was decorated. too. with cram
berries. Were they dreaming OF
awake?
Boys, here's the turkey and the
cranberres, too" Mike Field exclaimed
| as he walked across the room and
placed the turkey at the head OF the
table.
AS the miners crowded to their place.
thty did not notice that a man dressed
1 an broadcloth had followed the Judge
into the room, and they were still more
astonished when Field gave him a seal
| by his side and said:
| "A friend of mine. boys"
The man bowed and took the seat
/ The turkey was carved and every ones
dish was heaped up with the good
| things Never had the boys had such 9
feast before, and they enjoyed IL. car
| ing little how hard the storm ragged
| without. Frequently during the mea
/ Field was asked the question how h
| came to get the turkey. but he refused
| TO answer until the meal was concluc-
4 a
| Pete had cleared the dishes away. anc
| when a steamiag glass II spunch wa.
| placed before cacn guest. Mike Field
arose, and looking at Hattie. said:
II guess it's about time. Hat"
Hattie arose from the table. brushed
cut the wrinkles from her dress ant
| went under the evergreen boughs. TielC
followed and stool 10y her side. IN,
stranger stood In front OF them with {
book in his hand
"Hsllo. Jedse. wat does this Eyal
| mean?" Nate exclaimed as he jumped
UP from his chair and was followed b,
the others.
| Before any one could reply TO Matt
the stranger said in n solemn tone o.
| voice:
HATTIE Billings. do you take Michae
Field TO be your husband?"
Il do" Hattie answered In a firn
voice. her face wreathed with smiles.
Other questions were asked OF Fiei
and then the minister pronounced Hat
tie and the Judge man and wife. WheI
| the ceremony was concluded Matt