Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-06

one Of those parlor organs for the
Mrs. | thought would give Won
tip to let you know their game but
don't give it away to the boys. please Z
We'll, it's pretty decent of the bovs
but I'm afraid the Missis is tired ont
AS to the dollar, | won't stand that
throw open your doors and if there is
any charge to the business, give me
the BILL
That night was an eventful one in
the history of Ashcroft and one never
to be forgotten by Pete. About eight
O'CLOCK committee of four visited the
mayor two miners and their wives.
They told him bali given in his hon
or would open at 8 O'Clock, and that
their wives would ''do the introduc-
In" Pete tried hard to look surpris-
ed, but II was clear acting. However,
the miners We're too excited to notice
anything Of this. AT nine O'Clock Ash
croft was still in a hustle. The hotel
| dining room had been cleared of its
tables, and at one end Of it stood Pete,
his little wife and two of the finest
| ladies' in town with them. The music
TWO ylollns and a cornet, had opened
the ball. Yet not a soul had arrived.
| Pete had been waiting patiently for
| three minutes, uncomfortable in his
new clothes and now he was chatting
| at what looked to him like a hitch in
the affair. Suddenly the swinging doors
| leading to the barroom were
| thrown open and 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 werI miners of all conditions
and men W4o were no miners at all.
| one was lonesome Indian who had
! been invited in and who came, gun
and all! They came TO front face halt
| before the bridal party, each man car
| rylng bundle of something of prac-
| teal household use, from a sack of
| flour and bacon to the kitchen utensils.
| In the center of the party was a baby
| burro with its miniature pack saddle
| piled two feet high above its back.
! representing the grub stake" The
| last man in the line drew by string
| tiny cradle, made of a cigar box, and
| it was the possible admission of this
| little present that had caused the de-
| lay. Some of the boys at the meet
| ing in the bar room thought that the
woman" would understand the spirit
| in which they gave it and others ar
| gued that she would not.
| At last old man Worthington, who
had known Pete for years, raped on
the bar and said: Boys, I've sized that
woman up and she's no fool. Pete
can explain our Western ways to her
and you can bet your life he amt the
man to marry a stuck-up girl" And
that ended it, the last man drew in
by cord the result of his handiwork.
When the line halted and faced Pete
and his wife, Sowle advanced a step
and brought his broom to present
arms, and delivered the speech Of the
evening
Mr.. and Mrs. Lonergan, We, repre-
senting the citizens of Ashcroft, con-
slider the detective work of Pete Loner
gan went to Missouri for, great strike,
and that it has resulted in credit
to the camp. We think, though, he
might have given his old friends a
tip and not have deprived us until this
late hour of the chance to honor this
great event in a manner more fitting
AS the wife of Lonergan you are wei
come to this camp and every boy in
this outfit has warm spot for you
under his vest. It the little things we
have brought here tonight will be of
any service to you both, we will be
mighty pleased. We only ask that
you will use all Of them"
At this moment the boys smiled and
dropped their bundles to applaud and
emphasize the remarks Of their spokes- |
man. The little burro as if to strength |
en- their sincerity, walked to the end |
of his rope and stretched his woolly |
head towards Pete.
The Mayor came forward step, and, |
while playing with the ears Of the |
beast, cleared his throat several times |
and coughed. Then he started his re-
spouse:
Boys, I'm not much for speakin', |
but I'm no SLOUGH on thinkin'. I don't |
know how to thank you for this bal |
and all this useful outfit, but | do feel |
blame grateful-boys. we both do
now let's dance and l promise you |
we'll use every darned present you've |
brought US"
Then the men filed up in line and |
met Mrs. Lonergan and danced with |
her. In the small hours of the morn
ing tables were brought in and supper |
was served. Every delicacy the boys !
had been able to procure at such short |
notice was there, and in the center of |
the table rose the bridal cake with its !
two sugared figures. 1t was daybreak /
when the bail was over and all the |
boys agreed as the last drink was
taken, that Pete had struck great
luck. And SO it proved.
Mayor Lonergan's wife was worship
ped by the boys before she had been |
in camp a month. She was delicate |
little lady with a low voice and modest |
manners. She had been brought up in |
comfortable home in Missouri, yet |
she grooved into the life Of Ashcroft |
as if she had been designed for it. Il |
a miner was hurt, it was Mrs Lonergan |
who looked after him and his wounds; |
if one of the boys was hard up and |
needed help, it was Mrs. Lonergan who |
found it out and sent Pete to his aid |
Thus it was that the quiet little wo-
man won the love and respect OF the
miners Of Ashcroft. The Mayor, under
the influence of his wife, grew to be
quite a new man, his whole soul was
wrapped up in the little woman and
her work.
1t was just a year after the ball,
and Pete had told some of the boys his
secret and hope After that there was
scarcely a day that passed without