The Irish standard., 1899-03-25
Jim Greyson's LuckyFind
The Colorado Miner and the
Salvation army

1T WAS a cold winter evening in a
] lively town which had sprung and
grown into the proportions of proud
young city, just under the shadow Of
the Rockies. Electric lights fared
blue and pale against the dark and
rugged background of foothills, while
down through the canyons whispered
the evening wind, in that low threat
ening voice which is often the pre-
cursor of blow. 1t was mild as vet,
though, and the streets were thronged
with people. All the shop windows
were ablaze with Christmas cheer, and
merry groups were gathered here and
there in front of them, discussing the
various decorations, which, lit up with
incandescent lights, made the interior
of jewelry, drug and novelty stores
glitter like fairy palaces.
In the window of fine shoe shop on
Broad street was displayed a snowy
landscape, with the old-time brick
chimney and redoubtable Santa Claus
just disappearing, with his pack on
back. down its capacious fue. Gazing
at this was knot of miners who had
come in from the mountains to pass
the gay holiday week, and "have a
lark" There were half-dozen or more
of them. all good-looking young fel.
lows, showing signs of the recent re.
suits of bath and barber, and with that
unmistallable air about them which, at
once, to an accustomed eye marks the
''men of the mountains"
Jim Greyson, the tallest of the
group, presently spoke in hushed
voice, breaking silence which evident.
ly had been filled with thoughts OF
long ago and the New England fire.
sides of their fathers; for three, at
least, of the "boys" had hailed from
"the east" years ago.
Sam Hunt, Jims chum, said: "Not
quite; the old folks don't show up
His voice was a trifle husky. He didn't
want the boys to notice it. Lets GO
on up the street." he continued!
whats that music? hear drum"
''The Salvation ARMY" said Ned
Riley. "Funny, amt it? How they
keep up their religion in the midst OF
all this fun! Let's go and see them
canwe? Are they out of doors?"
"Yes," said Jim, II see where they
are; right on the corner of the BIZ
dancing hall. Come on! I've heard so
much about that Salvation Army, but
never have happened to see any of their
performances"
All this time the boys had been draw
ing nearer to the crowd on the cor.
ner of Broad and Tenth streets. The
music sounded little less queer and a
little more musical on approach. II
gradually grew apparent that there
were voices and tune, as we'll as the
monotonous rub-dub of the big bass
drum, together with an indescribably
festive jingle. The actors were three
young women and one mantle drum
mer. The women, standing at equal
distances apart, formed a half-circle.
The man stood directly in front of
them. The audience was not large-2O
or 80 perhaps, and all were men.
Stepping among them, Just as our boys
appeared on the scene, it seemed to me
one of the mostpeculiar situations that
/ had ever accidentally come upon.
The three solemn-qooking young wom-
en- in dark blue uniform and large
coal-hod shaped bonnets; the music
such strange union of piety and rev.
elry! One young woman played a
tambourine, and the jolly Jingle of n
row of little bells, together with the
military roll of the big drum, accom-
panied the words:
o, yes. there's salvation for you,
0. yes. there's salvation for me:
Salvation for all who on Jesus will call,
Accept of 1t now. and be free
No woman in all the passing throng
stopped to listen Indeed, the crowd of
Christmas purchasers seemed to hurry
past that dimly-lighted street. corner,
for the army detachment had modestly
stationed itself just round the corner
of Tenth, and out OF the way of busy
Broad street.
] studied the faces Of the men in the
group. Not a ghost Of anything like