The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-06-19
THE WORD He WANTED.
a Denver Mining Man Who Was "study-
In, the I.inUa.D

rather checkered experience, brought
some unique persons the city. When thu
exchange was opened there was an in
fiux of mining men, and for time they
; kept the hotel district busy. They were
men of great hospitality-to use theiI
own expressions, well lined with
money"-and of convivial nature
They were willing to meet everyone on
equal grounds, and if anyone tried to
appear superior to them they were
ready to fight. Many of them were men
that STRUCK it rich" in paying streak,
and had only thin veneer of culture.
Once in awhile they manifested the
rough-and-ready characteristics of the
placer miner. Perhaps none of the visit
ors caused so much amusement and was
SO thoroughly sociable as certain min
ing man who stayed at the Imperial
hotel. He is gone now, and expressed
extreme disgust with the exchange be-
fore he went, but he left record be-
hind him that will be talked of for long
time.
This particular citizen trailed into the
Imperial about ten o'clock on the night
OF his arrival chewing the flag end of a
burnt-out cigar and dragging fox
terrier by string. A huge diamond
blazed in his shirt front and piece of
quartz weighing almost a pound
dangled from heavy gold chain that
was Topped across his. breast. He had
on suit that would have caused COM
motion anywhere but in a mining camp,
and another huge diamond glistened
on his chubby finger. He lurched up to
the desk, and with yank of the string
brought the fox terrier to attention"
under his feet, and then he said in
voice that seemed to emerge from the
soles of his boots:
Say, pardner, want room, and
want good one."
The clerk soon furnished the stranger
with suitable quarters. Then the
man called bellboy, and, throwing
him the string of the fox TERROR, said
Say, sonny, take that pup and give
him good feed. ain going to give
him to friend, and want him looking
like winner. Brought him all the way
from Colorado, and he's thorough
bred. Look lively to him now and have
him ready when I want him."
Then this man with the stamp of the
quartz mill and the glazing signs of
all over him turned to the
clerk and looked intently at him for 9 |
moment. Then he. broke forth conf
IDENTIFY:
You'll do, youngster, and want you |
to sort of look after me while 1 am in |
these diggings. I'll make some money
for you, too, while / am at it. I amt |
much of sassiety man, but am hon
est, and want you to put me on to the
Frllls. don't want to show my ig-
france to any of these yere mavericks
wing around here, SO if yer see me goin
wrong just toot your whistle. I'll fix
t all right with ye.''
Inc clerk promised, and the man of
wealth marched off to explore the city.
he evidently found things to his liking,
or he strolled into the hotel about two
o'clock in the morning, mellow and
He confided the fact
o the night clerk that he had got out
INTO real society" and he was "goins
o spruce up a bit and study the lingo"
lie eyed the clerk for some time, but did
ot seem to like him as well as the one
hat he encountered first. Then he
walked over and sat down on a settee
nd stolidity watched the man behind
he desk. Guest after guest came in,
nd each having secured his keys went
pstairs to bed. Still the mining man
at in the chair, alert and watchful. He
yed everyone that came in anxiously.
AT five o'clock in the morning the
light clerk was getting restless, and
ne man in the chair was still on guard.
t that time a belated guest came in,
nd, after glancing at the clock, took
p his key and said with faint attempt
mirth: swell, 1 guess it is pretty
Ear time to retire"
At that moment there was an explo-
on from the chair. The mining man
mped up and came to the desk. "Re-
re! That's it'll" he exclaimed. 81
i've been trying to think of that blamed
ord for three hours. Gimme my key.
I'm goin' to retire. See yer later"
Before the clerk had time to recover
ON has astonishment the man from
snver had snatched his key and made
rush for the elevator. He was not
ard from again until late in the after
on next day and then he was still
ldying the Lingo. IN. Y. Tribune.