The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-06

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This mining etlQuette-it saves trouble
and prejudice-and is one item of an I'M
written code of social mining laws worthy
of study and adoption outside OF camp
The thought that troubled Pete most,
now that he had time to dwell on it, was
how to get out of camp without revealing
his mission-that of being married. 1t was
a matter close 20 Pete's heart, too close to
be commented upon by Ashcroft. Then
there was another reason for silence, he
knew the boys would give him a send-of
and he wished to avoid 1t, for he was
modest man and hated fuss and show.
He could well afford to marry, for though
he was not rich he had had fairly good
luck. His claim Paradox and Prospect
were in his name alone-not a third nor a
sixteenth interest belonged to anyone else.
Not that he was close, but mining was a
principle with Lonergan, and a partner
sometimes interferes with principles, so
even though a cash interest might have
aided the development of his claims and
forded him at times over bad places, he
chose to remain comparatively poor or
uncertainty rich.
One night while standing at the hotel
bar. talk drifted from paying shippers and
new strikes to the last bad man who had
been in camp. This was Pete's chance.
perienced gulp, he turned to the crowd and
said: Boys there's a damn bad man
leaving this town tomorrow and it's my
purpose TO follow that vein If go to Mis-
souri, for it," and there he stopped for it
was a long sentence for the Mayor.
A few of Ashcrofts citizens stood in
front of the saloon the next morning, and,
remembering the Mayors remark the
night before, scanned the passengers in
the Aspen coach, but saw only two, the
Mayor and the surveyor, SO they conolud-
ed that the bad man Pete had told them
of had gone away the night before in his
own outfit and Ashcroft never questioned
the authority of her Mayor to leave the
important functions of his office to do
neat detective job.
1t was only day over two weeks when
the Concord COACH covered with dust
rolled up in front of the st. Elmo Hotel
at noon, and to the amazement of the two
dozen curious spectators, Peter Lonergan
stepped out and then turned to assist
very small woman through the narrow
door of the coach. Peter had not spoken
a word nor recognized by nod any OF
the citizens surrounding him, but they nod
ded with smiles, that he wore new suit of
civilized cut clothes, new shoes-not boots
and, to the amazement his whiskers had
been clipped
Conjectures as to his companion were
varied in the minds of his audience until
the driver unstrapped the boot Of the
coach and threw down the leather cover
ing, and there revealed to the gaze of the
dum-founded bystanders, new trunk On
one end of it was stencilled in black let
ters, Mrs. p. Lonergan, Ashcroft, Col"
The gossip of Ashcroft had up to this
time been chiefly confined to rich strikes,
new leads or lodes, at the possibility of
money coming into camp, but the sight of
that trunk revolutionized social customs
there. and like a fire brand to alfalfa flew
the manyforked tongue of gossip, spread
ing in a few hours from the town to the
hills-the news that Pete was back with
out his man; the joke was on
the boys, the drinks were on
the town, for he had brought
back wife If it had been any other man
but the Mayor Gossip was verified by
fact, as the long string of citizens filed
into the hotel and then out of it, after hav-
ing scanned the consumptive dirty regis
ter with its last inscription, Peter Loner-
gan and wife, Ashcroft, Col"
Now the hearty good feeling every man
entertained for the Mayor came promptly
to the surface, and that afternoon a COM
mittee was formed to give Pete and his
woman" bali at the hotel and spare no
expense. A team was sent to Aspen for
the music, and two of the committee were
ordered to hustle up the finest grub that
ever had been laid out as a spread in
Ashcroft. Everything was to be con-
Quoted secretly and the ball would have
been great surprise had it not been for
the proprietor of the st. Elmo who APP
preciated the fact that Pete and his wife
had had long journey from the East
and twelve mile stage drive that morn
ing and might need a rest before the ball.
Accordingly he took Pete aside and said:
Mayor, you've got the joke on the
boys and they hold up their hands, but
between US they are getting up a ball in
your honor-that is, for you and your
wife-and they are going to do the thing
in shape. They sent to Aspen for the
music and are rounding up every store
in camp for expensive grub. The ball will
begin about 8 tonight, just as soon as we
can have supper and clear the room, and
Mayor, there was some talk of sticking
each boy a dollar at the door to buy one
of those parlor organs for the Missis. 1
thought l would give you tip to let you
know their game, but don't give it away
to the boys, please"
well, it's pretty decent of the bows.
but I'm afraid the Missis is tired out. As
TO the dollar, 1 won't stand that. throw
open your doors and if there is any charge
~ Nlie bdS4hSSS, give me the Dill.
That night was an eventful one In the
history of Ashcroft and one never to be
forgotten by Pete. About s o'clock a
committee of four visited the Mayor. two
miners and their wives. They told him a
ball given in his honor would open at 9
o'clock and that their wives would do
the introducin'." Pete tried hard to look
surprised, but it was clear acting. How
ever the miners were too excited to no.
tice anything of this. At o'clock Ash
croft was still in a hustle The hotel din
ing room had been cleared of its tables.
and at one end of H-stood Pete. his little
wife, and two of the finest ladies' in town
with them. The music, two violins and a
cornet, had opened the ball. Yet not a
soul had arrived.
Pete had been waiting impatiently for
three minutes, uncomfortable in his new
clothes, and now he was chafing at what
looked to him like a hitch in the affair.
Suddenly the swinging doors leading TO
the barroom We're thrown open and 'I eft
left, left, right, left" came from Ben
Sowle who, with new broom over his
shoulder, led thirty stalwart miners. in
military style, down the room. then right
wheeled and around several times.
There were miners of all conditions and
men who were no miners at ell. One was
a lonesome Indian who had hear {,..i4.,