Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-15
and Size was almost worshiped by chose

rough miners.
There cnme n sad day for Rocky
Gulch, however. Babe was ILL., She lay
upon her little bed, tossing her tiny
arms and moaning plaintively. The
miners knocked Oft work and gathered
in anxious groups Il little distance from
the cottage. st. Louis Joe closed his
saloon tight, and declared not one drop
would the boys get till Babe got well.
"Ain't a-soin' ter hey some galoot git
full and gilt a-shootin' of his gun an
disturbing Babe" lie said.
Half q dozen of the men remained up
all night near the cottage, "to be on
hand" they said, sef Joe wanted any
thing"
The second night Silent Sam offered
to sit by Babe to spell" Joe and his
wife. His services were accepted,
though Joe and his wife took turns sit.
ting up with him.
"You are as handy as mother" re.
marked Mrs. Joe, after Sam had been
ministering to the little sufferer.
Sam swallowed big lump In his
throat two or three times before he re-
plted:,
81 had little Teller about Babes age
when left home two year agone."
II should think you would want to 20
home to your family, SAM" said Mrs.
Joe; they must miss you sadly"
ME an the old woman had some
words; that's why l left" said Sam.
"(suess was mostly to blame, though. I"
he added, "an' purity hasty."
I'D go back" said Mrs. Joe, softly.
Babe didn't improve, and the anxiety
of the community deepened day by day.
At last one night. shortly after mid.
night, Joe came to the half-dozen men
who still kept their nightly vigil near
his cabin. They gathered around him.
"Any change, joel" they eagerly in
quired.
Joe struggled some minutes to reply,
and then with great sob said:
Babes gone" and rushed past the
group into darkness.
Every inhabitant of Rocky Gulcb
knew of Babes death long before
morning, and the most of them were
gathered at a respectful distance from
the cabin when Joe stepped to the door
after sunrise.
"Come in, boys, an see her." he said,
and one by one they filed past the
peaceful figure which lay with a smile
on the sweet, upturned face.
tits cryin' shame" said Coyote
Pete, that the Babe can't hev genu-
Inc, first-class funeral, but there amt
no show fer spread In this hole"
"Ef there was time I'd go ter Frisco
an tote a casket in on my back" said
Red Mike, but there amt, SOS no use
talliin'."
Now. don't We fret" said Badly
Slick, Babies goIn' ter hev funeral,
the like of which amt been seen in Moo
York ITSELF" aud he unfolded his plan
to the boys.
Two of Badly Sticks tables were torn
apart and Il rude casket was construct.
ed Of the boards. The inside was lined
with beautiful dry moss, gathered
from the mountain side, the outside
coated with fresh pitch, upon which
was sprinkled gold dust, contributed by
the willing miners.
A grave was followed out in pleas
ant place near Joe's cabin, and that,
too, was lined with moss, upon which
was sprinkled some Of the dust.
When the casket was taken to the
house Joe and his wife broke down
completely.
80, 1t is SO sweet" said Mrs. Joe,
.and 1t is so kind of you. We were trou-
bled TO think that Babe could not have
nice burial, and now this-thls-''
And she could say no more.
The services at the grave were sim