The copper country evening news., 1898-01-06
SOD'S SWEET SONG.
BY JOS. II. BUCHANAN.

burroughs Pass was a town of some
40 houses. 1t was beautifully situated
ON the sloping sides of two mountains,
between which wound the little stream
known as White run. On the south
side OF the little stream ran the railway
line which wound up through the can.
yon and crossed the range at Burroughs
pass, about eight miles from the station
which bore its name. On the slope of
North mountain, back of the houses
which constituted the "north side" of
the town, were number of mines and
prospect holes in varying stages of de-
velopment, but the camp of Burroughs
Pass had not yet acquired fame as pro-
ducer of precious metals.
Henry Willitts was the railway COM
pany's agent at the station of Burroughs
Pass. He had been in the employ of the
company since the construction of the
road to that point and when the Pass
was the terminal there was great deal
of work for the agent to perform, but as
construction progressed and in course of
time terminal station was established
on the other side of the range there was
less to do at the station, and the agent
had considerable time to spare. Like
most of those who live in mining towns,
Henry Willetts was subject to attacks
of prospeotors' fever. During one of
these attacks he had staked claim,
which he named the Mary Ellen, on
the side of North mountain, and, work
ing in his spare hours, had sunk shaft
that at the time of the events which
are to be related had reached depth of
about 40 feet and was equipped with
windlass and buckets. Up to this time
he had not struck anything richer than
peacock iron, but there is no limit to
the supply of hope that the real pros
pector always has stored up in his
| bosom.
The Willitts family consisted of Hen
ry, Mary, his wife and Benjamin, their
5-year-old son. Little Ben was the pride
Of Burroughs Pass. He had the honor of
being the first child born in the little
town, and every body thereabout knew
and loved him. And we'll they might,
for he was good as he was beautiful,
bright as he was kind The miners had
christened him Gentleman Ben because
of his politeness. Ben was often at the
railway station with his father and the
trainmen would frequently take him tor
rides on the locomotive.
While Ben frequently joined in games
with some of the children who lived
near, his favorite playmate was Sod.
Who was Sod? Well, you should have
seen him, known him. You would have
obtained better idea from that ac-
quaintance than from any other of your
| life of what constitutes genuine pa
| thence, kindness and-must it be said?-
laziness
Sod was mule, a long cared donkey.
The people of Colorado call this species
mountain canaries,' but the right
designation is burro. Sod wasn't much
larger than full grown Newfoundland
dog, but he could perform wonderful
feats of strength and agility if allowed
| to take his time and go his own way.
! These little beasts carry burdens often
| almost equal in weight to themselves,
and they climb mountains and scale
dangerous places that try the strength
and courage of experienced men.
While burros are not Indifferent to
comforts they do not mind the weather,
and many of them do not have shelter
| other than large rocks, trees and the
caves of buildings afford even in the
severest winter. Sod of course, was an
exception. He had comfortable little
stable to sleep in and to shelter him in
stormy weather. He also had hay, corn
and oats to eat. You know it is said
that burros live upon shavings, sage
brush and tin cans and that the covering
from canvased ham is a positive lux
ury. AS to the latter, the writer can tes.
tify. He once saw burro chewing on
the remains of ham sack in most evil
dent enjoyment of the delicate repast.
Sod-by the way, you haven't been
told why he was named Sod. Well,
you must know that railway companies,
at least in the west, require their agents
to make reports Of any shortage or sur
| plus of freight as checked from the ship
ping agents bills or Of any damage to
goods received. These reports are called
"short. over and damage" reports. Rail-
way Office men speak of them as "S., O.