The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-05-03
A STRONG MAN.

| Inc weekly cOaoh was due at South
City, and all the inhabitants were ca.
gerly awaiting its arrival. The Diggers
Arms was, as usual, crowded, and
against its hospitable walls lounged
those unable to get in. Suddenly g
crack, loud and reverberating, sounded
in the clear mountain air, and with q
whoop and rattle the great coach lum-
bered up.
The driver, a CHEEKY Yankee, who
knew his men as we'll as he did his
horses, shouted: "Have you heard the
news, boysf Mol Well, I'll tell you
North City has imported parsonl'
"a whatP' shouted the miners, ieal-
GUS of their own town.
" A real live parson, and, what g more,
they've turned the old saloon into a
meeting house."
There was a long standing feud be-
tween North City and South City, which
dated from the first gold rush, and
many and useless were the buildings
that the rival towns had erected to Ego
one better" than the other.
All looked toward Texas Joe, an old
and tough miner, who by brevity of
speech and quick use of his gun had
long held the perilous position of dicta-
tor to the neighborhood.
No one spoke-indeed no one quite
cared to. At length the oracle, shifting
his plug from one cheek to the other,
said: "Pass the word that there'l1 be a
meeting here of all the boys at 6 sharp.
It amt to be allowed that young
shove ahead village like North City is
to take the shine out of us. No, sir, it
amt likely"
Long before the whole adult pop
ulation was collected near the saloon,
and it was clear that no room would
hold the crowd. Finally an open air
meeting was proposed and carried-mo-
tions moved by Texas Joe generally
were-and the dictator took the "bar-
rel"
'Men of South City," he began, "you
all know why this here meeting is call
ed. We have been made fools of by the
people away yonder, waving his hand
northward, land it amt to be. They
have been presumptuous enough to get q
parson, as if the inhabitants Of these
parts want either doctors or parsons,
and are cracking on about it no end.
Now, amt more religious than most,
still say kicking his heel in the bar
rel to emphasize his words, "that it's a
real disgrace to us that we amt got a
parson too. Now, what say is this:
North City have got a parson; South
City will have one too. They have got
travelling cuss; we will have a man
of our own, chap volts got some edu-
cation. That'll fix 'em up, you bet :"
A redhaired Cornishman, who hated
Joe, ventured to say 81 vote we have
good chapel man; he'll be sight
cheaper and will be more of our own
way of thinking"
'tNow, Treleaven, you dry up. PTS
copals l know, Catholics l know, but
know nothing and care less about fancy
religions, and We'll have one from the
bishop or we'll have none at ALL" A
chorus of approving voices showed that
Joe had the ear of the meeting, and the
Cornishman sulkily drew back.
"Now, it carn't be done without
money. l amt got much, still I'll give
$780," said the chairman. "I'll give
$5r" 'I'll give $10p' "Here, take my
dustl" "Here's for the skyscraper p
were heard on all sides, and amid a
scene Of wild excitement Texas Joe, aft
er counting the collection on the barrel
head, said, "We'Il have the best there is
to be got-we've got $780," He beamed
on the crowd and saw genuine satisfac-
ton on every face in front of him.
Then, with a queer smile on his face,
Treleavan pushed his way to the front
and said: II call that good start, and
now all we've got to do is to write to
Frisco, for there's sure to be a boss
there who will send us up the man we
want. vote that the chairman write
and see to the whole job" A dead
pause followed this, for almost every
man knew that Joe could neither read
nor write. He rose slowly, with his pis-
toll in his hand.
'Now, look here, mates, there's a
kind er nasty twang about the last
speakers remarks that / don't like. I
amt pushing man, but of course I'll
write if Mr.. Treleaven wants me to.
Say, do you now?" he asked, looking
intently at the Cornishman as he did SO.
The crowd fell away on all sides, for
the air seemed little heavy.
"No. P'raps young Green, the last
tenderfoot, had better write it. We
oughtn't to put it all on you, Joe. No
offense," he muttered
"Ah," said Joe, tjust as you like.
Now, Green, get paper and a pen. :"
The crowd gathered again. "Give the
boy room. Now just you write" With
admiration the miners listened while
Joe dictated the following letter:
SOUTH CITY, Cal, U. S. A.
HoNoRED SIR-North City have got chapel
parson and South City felt that the time has
come to have a real college parson living in
the town. A weak man amt no use, cos we
want strong man fit to run the show proper.
We send $500 for exes. Yours truly,
THE INHABITANTS OF SOUTH VIEW.
"Now, boys" said Joe, "it's my
shout.
South City was en- fete. The miners,
unusually clean, were waiting for the
arrival of the man who was to fairly
knock North City. Their hopes had
been raised to high pitch by the re-
ceipt of letter from San Francisco in
forming them that real strong man
was coming up to put them in the way
they should CO.
Joe had suggested a salvo Of pistols
as welcome, but it was felt that such
q reception was open to misconception,
and the subject dropped.
The empty saloon, which had been
taken as temporary church, was as
clean as whitewash and soap could
make it and only wanted the presence
of the parson to make it complete.
The excitement grew intense as the
hour drew near when the coach was
due, eliminating in mighty cheer
when the driver finally pulled up oppo-
site the saloon. Several passengers got
down, but no one answering to the de-
scription Of strong man left the coach.
Finally Texas Joe said to the driver,
Say, where's your new parson?"
There, sitting on his trunk, " re-
piled the man, with a grin on his face.
All eyes turned toward young, slen-
der looking man, who, with eyes twin
king with amusement, was watching
his new congregation. Seeing that some
thing was expected of him, he came for
ward and held out his hand.
"Men Of South City" he began, in a
clear, musical voice, 81 have been sent
up here to act, if you will have me, as
your new parson. Something tells me
we are going to be good friends, and it
won't be my fault if we aren't. There's
lots for me to learn from you and per-
haps can do little for you too. y