The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-17
A STRONG MAN. |
By DR.. Fred Enslebach. i

those unable to get in. Suddenly a
crack, loud and reverberating, sounded
in the clear mountain air, and with a
whoop and rattle the great coach
numbered up.
The driver, a CHEEKY Yankee, who
knew his men as well as he did his
horses, shouted: Have you heard the
news, boys? No! Well, I'll tell you
North City has imported parsonn'
"A what" shouted the miners,
Jealous of their own town.
"a real live parson, and what's more,
they've turned the old saloon into a
meeting house,"
There was long standing feud be-
tween North 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 towards Texas Joe, an old
and tough miner, who, by a brevity of
speech and quick use of his gun, had
long held the perilous position of die
tator 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'll be a
meeting here Of all the boys at six
sharp. 1t amt to be allowed that a
young shove-ahead village like North
City is to take the shine out of us. No,
sir!-it amt likely"
Long before six the whole adult popu-
lation 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
motions 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
called. We hev been made fools of by
the people away yonder," waving his
hand northward, ''and it amt to be-
They hev been presumptuous enough
to get parson, as if the inhabitants of
these parts want either doctors or par
sons, and are cracking on about it no
end. Now, I amt more religious than
most, still I say" kicking his heel on
the barrel 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 par
son-South City will have one, too
They have got travelling cuss-we will
have man of our own, chap wot's
got some education. That'll fix 'em up,
you bet"
A red-haired Cornishman who hated
Joe ventured to say: 81 vote we have
good chapel-man, he'll be a sight
cheaper, and will be more of our own
way o thinking"
"Now, Treleavan, you dry up-'Pisco-
pals | know; Catholics l know; but I
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 suIl>ily drew back.
"Now, it carn't be done without
money. l amt got much, still I'll give
$780," said the chairman. III give
five!" ''I'll give ten!" Here, take my
Dust" Here's for the skyscraper!"
were heard ON all sides, and amidst a
scene of wild excitement Texas Joe aft
er counting the collection on the bar
rel head said: We'll hev the best there
is to be got-we've got $4OO." He
beamed on the crowd and saw genuine
satisfaction on every face in front of
him.
Then with 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
there who will send us up the man we
want. l 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 pistol
in his hand.
snow, look here, mates. there's a
kind 'er nasty twang about the last
speakers remarks that I don't like. !
amt a pushing man, but, of course,
I'll write if Mr.. Treleavan 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, lust as you like.
Now, Green, get paper and pen" The
crowd gathered again. Give the boy
room; now just you write" With adj
miration the miners listened whilst Joe
dictated the following letter:
South City, California, U. s. A-Honored
Sir: North City have got a chapel parson,
and South City feel 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 on four hundred dollars
for eXes. Yours truly,
THE INHABITANTS OF SOUTH VIEW.
"Now, boys" said Joe, Its 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-