Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-22

CHRISTMAS AT SNAGTOWN.
MISUNDERSTANDING


Snagtown was a characteristic western set
Element in the Black Hills. 1t had been es-
tablished but a short while and the miners
had had a hard time to keep their foothold
against the onslaught of the Indians, who
took a fendish delight in creeping down on
them in the night and destroying their huts
and killing them whenever they got a chance.
But when the first Christmas came around
Snagtown was considered to be on a solid
foundation, and the Snagtownites proposed
to have a roaring good time. 1t was decided
that a tremendous big feast should be given
at the Snagtown Arms, in which all should
take a part, on Christmas afternoon, and
Jack Billings, the only boniface in the place,
had been instructed that unless he did his
very best the boys would raise particular
Cain with him.. A week before the event
was to take place a meeting was held and a
committee on arrangements was appointed,
with orders to spare no expense. Git loads
o. grub an plenty O. lush" the chairman of
the meeting said, as he mentioned the names
of those who were to be responsible that the
landlord of the Snagtown Arms did his work
properly. The committee Immediately got to-
gether to decide what they should have at the
feast. Jack Billings and his colored cook
were called in for consultation. i've got
loads Of booze that was brought cut on the
last coach from Dawson's,' Billings replied
in answer to a question Of one of the COM
mittee in regard to what he had on hand;
but about the grub, l hardly know what
you want"
"Dere's loads o. v%en'son, Marse Jack"
Pete, the cook, exclaimed, IAN ducks an
rabbits, an den dere's dat coon dat Marse
Field shot this mOrnin'.'
That's only ordinary grub" one Of the
committee rejoined. We've got to have
something batter than that. What's a Christ
mas dinner without turkey and cranberry
saucer"
That's true enough, pard,' another mem
Der rejo.ned, but think where you are.
There are no turkeys around this region and
no cranberriss. l doubt even II you could
find one over at Fort Wales and that's 300
miles from here. We had better put up with
what Billings has"
well have to-" said another
During this conversation there was a men,
Der of the committee who had remained
quiet in a corner of the room sitting on a
barrel, with his legs crossed, smoking his
pipe and locking as II he were deeply en-
shouldered fellow. not over 80 years of age,
with a heavy black beard. and long black
hair, and a face that indicated intelligence and
honesty. He wore a blue flannel shirt.
corduroy trousers, belted inSaround 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 men
toned as having killed the coon. He was
a general favorite among the miners, and
his opinion was much sought after In the
decision of difficult questions in which the
bowie knife and pistols did not enter, 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
~taciturn man and never spoke of his former
life, but one could tell from his manner of
talking 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.
at only lacks five days before 1t will be
Christmas, pard," one of the re-
marked, as he blew a Whit of smoke from
his pipe, and a smile crossed his face, as he
thought that for once in his life Field would
be stumpsd.
THAT makes not the slightest bit of
d. ference Field rejoined. Il wouldn't care
il 1t only was the day before Christmas. II
this committee decided upon having turkey
for dinner 1t would have to be secured at any
expense"
1T Is well enough to talk that way, Mike,
but none of us are magicians and / can't see
how we are going to get turkey when none
is around"
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 mus
tang?"
why, cert, jedge. I'll let yer have any
thing that yer want" Nate Cummings
IAN 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 COM
asked in chcrus.
II 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 it. AS soon as he had 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.
II think that Mikes going to play some
one of the men remarked after they
had seated themselves In their places and
BILLINGS 10 MI up tue Biasses Win
hot toddy.
"He may, but I doubt it. He's got some
plan in his noddle, you can gamble on it,"
r%ejoined. emo
I'm bet any un then Mike fetches tn
Nate Cummings spoke up as he
threw a leg Of wood into the fire.
"It's a go, Nate, I'll take you up. I'll
bet yer forty ounces tibet he don't
Here 1t air. Now ye put up an Billings
hold the dust" -,,
Jack Billings was on hand and took the
dust from the men, weighing II on a scale
to see If it were just weight, and then he
put 1t away until the time came when the
should be won. at ~
Three days passed by, Mike Field had not yet
and 1t only lacked one more day
before It was Christmas. The committee
mad completed their work, the dinn2r was
all arranged for and the meats and game
we're being prepared by Pete, who flew about
he camp with an air of great Importance.
Christmas eve came, the Snagtownltes were
at the Arms and sun there was
10 sign Of Mike Field. Tbs members OF
he committee, as well as the others who
been informed Of the judges expedition.
)egan to grow anxious and to fear that
ONE accident had oyertaken the man.
,cme suggested that a search party be or
but this was squelched by the com
n%ittse. who knew that II any such thing
we're undertaken all Of their work would be