The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-23
BILLS CHRISTMAS

Half way up the slope of the noun
tain, at the edge of the timber line, was
a forlorn group of cabins, perhaps n
dozen in all, grouped around a some
what larger shanty, called by courtesy
"hotel." In truth, it was the ever
present whisky dive, carrying as mat
ter of accommodation side line of such
absolutely necessary articles as the
primitive character of living in those
solitudes called for, and rejoicing in a
spare room for the use off chance pros
pector. Business in any of its branch
es was not brisk in the winter time.
All but three or four of the cabins were
empty then, and the population was
shifting and uncertain AZ any time Of
year. But Black Pete and his half
breed wife TRANQUILITY held on their way,
while prospectors came and went, find
ing their 'hotel'' surer source of in
come than Running frantic rdcas after
fortune. The ground under their feet
and around them was supposed to be
rich in ore of various kinds, but of all
the desperate, feverish men who climb
ed those lonely heights i'm search of the
secrets locked in natures calm bosom
few had any luck. Once in a while a
shallow vein OF silver had been struck,
but not enough to justify sinking a
shaft. They had kept coming, how
ever, refusing to believe that the
abundant signs of mineral wealth
which Dame Nature cunningly spread
on every side could mean nothing.
And luck had turned at last. Two
men, partners, had in the late fall To-
Gated a rich vein and stal1ed out a con-
siderable claim. They had began work
on it, but finally decided 10 wait till
spring before going farther. The camp
all agreed that the find was a sure thing
this time, and the stream of men hop
ing to find similar luck had given
Black Pete a great run of custom till
winter set in.
In one of the utmost cabins n man
stood in his open door gazing forth in
to the thick yellow gloom OF the Deem
Der twilight. He was rather slight in
build, thin and discontented looking.
His light brown beard was cropped
rather short, and his blue eyes held a
world of sadness. lie gazed moodily
down the white, still side of the noun
tain and shuddered Is the soughing OF
the pines walled ia his ears. Then he
banged the door and stormed angrily
TO himself, kicking over the few arti-
cles of furniture in the room. The
q uiet was eXasperating.
"I shall go stark mad in this hateful
hole. Christmas. Heavens. And a man
can't escape from it. If l could mako
myself believe it was any other day! If
/ could die just now, which / can't
I'd as soon be in purgatory as here. l
won't stay here. Better the drunken,
gambling mob down at the station. 1t
don't matter much; ain't got anything
left TO be decent for" He bowed his
head, with a sharp groan, as he said
this, but a moment later he was pulling
on his fur coat and leggings, and his
face carried its usual half sad, half de-
fiant expression.
Silent Bill, his limited circle Of ac-
quaintances called him. He was not
really popular among the rough set
that assembled at Black Pete's. But,
on the other hand, he was not dislik-
ed. lie didn't put on airs" and it
was his own business what he was or
where he came from, according to the
unwritten etiquette OF the west, where
a man has right to tell his name or
not, as suits him. 1t was even possible
that he might be an escaped convict,
but that, too, was his own business.
But little as Silent Bill liked his COM
panions in solitude in return, it was
deadly dull when most OF them left in
the winter for more lively places. Even
his ''pard" was gone. To BE- sure, he
had urged Silent Bill TO accompany
him when he set out for Denver, but
the effort was OF no avail.
"Ye'll be stark luny by spring,
Bill" he protested.
81 hope So" was the grim reply.
But a fortnight of Loneliness had made
him desperate. Itgave him too much
time TO think, aud he felt that any
company was preferable 10 this mad
dening silence.
"Whar We printing fur?" called
Black Pete as he halted moment at
the hotel.
"Goodby, Pete" he said with smile,
"You're too still here. I'm off for the
station" Peie's face fell. One more
customer gone.
"I'lI be back in few days. Hello,
Mrs. Peter rs the woman stuck her
head out OF the door, disappointment
in her lit e, beady, black eyes. Take
Christmas present, won't yol? L
shan't be back in time to bring you
ore" He tossed a goidpiece toward
her, and as she caught it her sullen
expression changed to hideous grim
of delight.
Silent Bill struck foot trail straight
down through the underbrush and
rocks. Ii was nearer to the station
than by the half broken road over
which Black Pete hauled his supplies.
And while he went swiftly on his way
in the fast falling night, filled with un-
u.terable thoughts of rebellion and Bit
terness, a nondescript vehicle, tugged
NV t,vo s,Ileu broucisOs. WAS t0iling uD