Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-07-23
A STRONG MAN.

South City and all the inhabitants
were eagerly awaiting its arrival
The Diggers' Arms was, as usual
crowded, and against its hospita
walls lounged those unable to get in
Suddenly crack, loud and rever.
berating, sounded in the clear noun
tain air, and with a whoop and Q
rattle the big coach numbered up.
The driver, a cherry Yankee, who
knew his men as we'll as he did hi,
horses, shouted: "Have you heard
the news, boys? No Well, I'll tel
you-North City has imported 8
parson!"
A what y shouted the miners
jealous of their own town.
"a real live parson, and, what's
more, they We turned the old saloon
into meeting house."
There was 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.
ALI looked toward Texas Joe, au
old and tough miner, who by brew.
ity of speech and a quick use of bis
gun. had long held the perilous po-
sition of dictator to the neighbor.
hood.
No one spoke-indeed no one
quite cared to. AT length the ora.
ole, shifting his plug from one cheek
to the other, said "Pass the word
that there'll be meeting here of all
the boys at 6 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 6 the whole adult
population was collected near the
saloon, and it was clear that no
room would hold the crowd. Final.
ly an open air meeting was proposed
and carried-motions moved by
Texas Joe generally were-and the
dictator took the "barrel."
"Men OF South City," he began,
''you all know why this here meet.
Jog is called. We have been made
fools of by the people away yonder, }"
waving his hand northward, aand it
amt to be. They have been pre-
sumptuous enough to get a parson,
as if the inhabitants Of these parts
want either doctors or parsons, and
are cracking on about ii to no end.
Now, amt more religious than
most, still I say" kicking his heels
in the barrel to emphasize his words
''that it's real disgrace to us that
We amt got a parson too. Now,
what | say is this: North City has
got a parson ; South City will have
one, too. They have got . travel.
ing cuss we will have man Of our
own, chap wot's got some educa.
ton. Thatll fix 'em up, you bst.''
A redhaired Cornishman, who
hated Joe, venturei to say: 81 vote
We have a good chapel man he'll be
a sight cheaper and will be more of
our own way of thinking"
snow, Treleaven. you dry up.
'Piscopals know, Catholics know,
but know nothing and care less
ABOUT fancy religions, and we'll have
none at ALL" A chorus of approx
ing voices showed that Joe had the
ear OF the meeting, and the Cornish.
man sulkily drew back.
snow, it carn't be done without
money. | amt got much, still I'll
give $780, said the chairman aI'll
give IS l'"I1l give $lOln Here,
take my dust !'"Here's for the sky
scraper |" were heard on all sides,
and amid scene of wild excitement
Texas Joe, after counting the col
lection on the barrel head, said /,
SWELL have the best there is to be
got-we've got $500. He beamed
on the crowd and saw genuine salts
faction on every face in front OF
him.
Then, with queer smile on his
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