The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-10-05
By A. A. SMITH.

II ARLY in the summer of 1899, was
r, persuaded to join party of friends
Bound for a months outing among the
Colorado mountains. Priding myself
upon my ability to derive profit and en-
ioyment from solitary expeditions,
left my comrades among the popular re-
sorts surrounding Colorado Springs and
Manitou and pushed on to the almost
deserted village of Alpine. Ten years
ago this now desolate hamlet was
flourishing town of several thousand
inhabitants. 1t boosted an immense sill
yer smelter, two banks, numerous sa-
looms, and all the accompanying fea-
lures of a great mining center.
Immediately secured as my guide an
old timer known as Uncle Rastus."
He told me that he had lived there
"sence Uncle Sam committed the crime
o. 49,"
Twas without doubt the most trouble
some ''tenderfoot" which the old gen
tleman had seen for many day, for
resolved upon seeing everything to be
seen. and | gave him not the slightest
opportunity for rest. Within few
hou.S cfter my arrival he had shown
me over the entire townsite, now
strewn with broken bottles and over
grown with quaking aspen; he had Civ
en- me, in detail, the history of the town
and the principal men who had risked
life and fortune amid its wild scenes,
o1t "A |
oegged him to go with me to the nearest
mountain.
"Iou won't be going to climb that
mounting tonight, pardner?' he said,
turning to me with a startled look as we
hurried along through the fast descend
ing twilight.
20 no; certainly not tonight. But
why do you look so scared, uncle? You
know every foot OF ground for miles
around here. What are you afraid OFF,
Il amt afeard of no other place" he
answered, in low voice. but won't
go near there III the dark"
| looked in the direction indicated by
his trembling finger, and | could not, or
rather did not, suppress an eNclama-
ton of surprise and delight. Nesting in
.he heart of a tiny vale which lay be-
tween two barren rocky cliffs, was
miniature landscape, a plot of artistic
beauty, perhaps so feet square. The
last rays of the setting sun streamed
through the opening between the hills,
and they fingered as in benediction
upon the low white pickets of the en-
closing fence, the small evergreens ar
ranged in graceful curves upon the
green turf, and the cluster of bright
flowers grouped about the center. And
the center was a slender cross, so fes-
sooned with ivy and clematis as to COM
pletely hide the material, at the same
time preserving the form of the struc-
ture.
'Wnat is that beautiful little gar
DEM" | inquired, as | returned TO my
companion, who had remained behind
while / passed on down the pathway.
Its the preachers grave he replied,
I'm the same awe-struck voice. l tend it
and keep it like that myself. But come
back now, young man. I'm plum used
up with your tearin' around at this
rate, and you'll wear yourself out, too"
l tried in vain to laugh the old noun
faineer out of his mood, and, not sue
ceeding, followed him back toward the
town.
NOW tell me about this preachers
grave" i said, after we had eaten our
simple meal and drawn our chairs out
he M, 20
know, and just tired enough to listen"
well" said the veteran, as he lighted
his pipe, "'Twas in sc, one summer
might. jest like this, that first see the
preacher. You know how twas then,
The boom was over. Hundreds of ten
derfoots about, like you, had tumbled
out here to stake claims an git rich in
hurry. Some of them got sick an died,
some spent all the little pile they brung
with 'em an went back a-cussin' the
hull country, an the mines, but there
was few that swore they'd stay and
Eight it out.
1T was hard times, an we was a
pretty tough lot, guess.
Zone night we was all sittin' over
there pointing to ricketv old build
ing. which still bore a sign announcing
two drinks for % cents-"when we see
peart little Teller about your size com
An up from the station. 1t was pretty
nigh dark, but we could see quick as
wink that he wasn't our size at ALL
He was the preacher, SUPPOSE"
''Yes, he was the reacher, an he was
All sxms Il l..% L