West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-06-11

toms. AS have found them, be.
tween the people of the eas. and
vest mean west of the Rockies.
In the first place, the langu &c
rs spoken here has such mix ure
of Spanish and cowboy phrases.
that one fresh from Yankeedom is
sorely puzzled to understand con
versation. The people are polite
to fault, but it is only used as
one does his best clothes-for show
and has no deeper significance.
Men are sharp dealers. and, as a
rule, will take the advantage Of
their best friends. In fact they
consider only those friends, who
are useful to them. and the first,
middle and last consideration IN all
things is, will it benefit me.
People spend money freely, and
nearly all have plans for getting
rich.
Another thing that a Tender Foot
is worried over ia coming to the
Pacific Coast is the piece of money
called "bit." In vain he looks
over the change he receives to find
that coin, and it may be some time
ere he learns that "blt" is 15
cents when you pay and 10 cents
when you receive.
Until one becomes acclimated-
which some never do-his peace of
mind is disturbed by the inward
struggle in deciding to take two
articles for 10 cents or paying 10
cents for one, when he only needs
one.
In fact it has been but few years
since nothing was sold for less than
two "bits" (25 cents), and the
nickle and pennies were unknown.
They are scarce yet, and but for the
postoffices, would yet be out of sig hit.
The eastern man also misses us
paper money, which the Califor-
nian don't like little bit. But
one would not mind that 80 much
If he could only get the right change
when he buys an article. The 10
cent piece is tolerated, but the
nickle and pennies are regarded
with as much disgust as Il China
man is. The present generation
will have to pass off tho stage of
action before either will come into
general use. Nearly everything
under one dollar IS quoted at two
"bits," four "bits" and six "bits."
The strngency in money for the
last Two years all over the United
States has done more than any
thing else to bring the Californian
to realize the value of small money.
Few Californians put any conf
dence in any ones honesty, and for
one not to take the advantage when
he has a good chance, would be con-
sidered the rankest of Tender
Footism.
II man who has taken a govern
ment land claim in some fertile
nook in the mountains, fifty miles
from any neighbors, learns Of an
other one who has found and To-
Gated on another spot nearer than
his former neIghbors, he will at
once begin to worry for fear Of some
disadvantage that might arise in
having neighbofs so close.
! know man with no other
memb Der Of the family than daugh-
ter, just entering her teens, who
has located on claim in the noun
tsins twenty miles away from a
white settlement, and although
there is not an acre Of land outside
the spot he has it to farm, yet he
will not make road to his place
for fear Of getting neighbors.
Night before last che old man
was bitten BY rattle snake in the
hand, and after using all the rem.
edies in bis reach and getting worse
, all the time, his daughter left him
alone and came for me, over a very
rough and dangerous trail through
black darkness. got horse from
( an Indian aud took some aqua
5 amouI1 with me, and when we got
: there he was unable to stand We
] applied the amonia freely and by
. morning he was feeling easy, but
, not able to walk. / then left him
and came 10 my school and hope he
will get we'll.
/ spoke to him about trying ID
get some noighbors TO settle neat
. him for convenience when cIoud
. at once crossed his face and he said
r II would rather die with snake bite
than be tormeuted with bad neigh
= bors."
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