The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-10-24
Jim Greyson's Lucky Find
The Colorado Miner and the
Salvation Army

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 a blow. 1t was mild as yet,
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 a knot of miners who had
come in from the mountains to pass
| the gay holiday week, and ''have a
lark" There were a half-dozen OF more
of them. all good-looking young fell
| lows, showing signs of the recent re-
suits of bath and barber, and with that
unmistakable 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, Jim's chum, said: "Not
quite; the old folks don't show up"
His voice was trifle husky. He didn't
want the boys to notice it. Lets go
on up the street." he continued.
whats that music? I 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
can we? Are they out of doors?"
yes" said Jim. 81 see where they
are; right on the corner of the big
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 6
little more musical on approach. II
gradually grew apparent that there
were voices and tune, as well 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-2(
or 30 perhaps. and all were men
Stepping among them. just as our boys
appeared on the scene. it seemed to me
one of the most peculiar situations that
I had ever accidentally come upon
The three solemn-looking 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 &
tambourine, and the jolly jingle of {
row of little bells, together with tn,
military roll of the big drum, accom-
panied the words:
o, yes, there's salvation for you.
o. yes, there's salvation for me;
Salvation for all who on Jesus will call,
Accept of It now. and be free.
No woman in all the passing throns
stopped to listen. Indeed, the crowd o.
Christmas purchasers seemed to hurry
past that dimlylighted 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.
I studied the faces Of the men in thl
group. Not ghost of anything hk'
levity was visible. With grave. honest
countenances they stood, giving the
, most devout attention, while one of the
, women exhorted: ''Come, come to
night and accept your Saviour, and Hi:
pardon for your sins!" She talked rap
idly and earnestly, and they listened
respectfully, although it struck me
! that on none of the faces could dis
cern any signs of interested feeling.
! That did not surprise me. Colorado
miners are not notably religious; bu
, they are notably respectful, even rev
erential in their attitude toward goot
j women. 1 have heard an old mine,
affirm that if he were obliged to leav
] his young sister in the world, poor ant
] unprotected, he would trust her soonei
than anywhere else on earth among
the gold and silver miners in the hear
of the Rockies.
/ All this time while I was cogitatin,
S upon the ways and doings of thi
q strange ARMY of the Lord, of thei
+ strongholds in all countries, their sac
a rifices, courage, endurance, faith, thei
1 risk of insults in saloons and tene
D ments, risk to health in storms an
+ night air-wondering if they neve
4 faltered and longed to return to live
. of ease; if they never felt their fait
!. weaken in the face of multitudes VIII
$ hold such different belief had fol
gotten to notice "our boys"
CHANGING now to see if they wer
/. still listening found that only Jill
| and Sam remained, still listenin
u intently as songs and exhortations a
ternated; and that the eyes of th
former were riveted upon the fai
young face of the woman who playe
u the tambourine. At every motion {
S her arms, as they shook the instr,
= ment. he gazed; at every tone of he
voice, when she sang, he listened