Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-17

THE HOME GOING
OF SILENT SAM.

no representatives of the gentler sex
until Joe Hardy-Honest Joe, they dub
bed him-drifted into the camp, ac-
companied by his brave young wife.
Some way the camp seemed different
after Mrs. Joe" came. There may
have been no less drinking but there
was less brawling; there was perhaps
Just as much gambling, but there was
less shooting, and when Joe's baby
came a wave of reformation actually
swept through the camp.
1t became the custom to gather
around Joe's cabin every Sunday, and
the baby was gazed at with mingled
awe and admiration. AS months went
by Babe, as every one called her,
developed cute and affectionate ways,
and she was almost worshiped by
those rough miners.
There came sad day for Rocky
Gulch, however. Babe was i'll. She
lay upon her little bed, tossing her tiny
arms and moaning plaintively. The
miners knocked off work and gathered
In anxious groups little distance from
the cottage. st. Louis Joe closed his
saloon tight and he declared not one
drop would the boys get till Babe got
WELL
Amt a-goin ter hev some galoot git
full an git a-shootn off his gun an
disturbin Babe" he said.
Half dozen of the men remained up
all night near the cottage, "to be on
hand" they said, "ef 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
sitting up with him.
You are as handy as n MOTHER" re-
marked Mrs. Joe, after Sam had been
ministerng to the little sufferer.
Sam swallowed a big lump in his
throat two or three times before he
replied:
81 had a little feller about Babes
age when left home two year agone"
Il should think you would want to
go 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.
Guess | was mostly to blame though"
he added, ian purity hasty."
I'D go back" said Mrs. Joe softly
Babe didn't improve and the anx,
iety of the community deepened day by
day. At last one night, shortly after
midnight, Joe came to the half dozen
men who still kept their nightly vigil
near his cabin. They gathered around
him.
ANY change, Joe?" they eagerly in
quired
Joe struggled some minutes to reply,
and then, with a sob, said:
"Babe's gone" and rushed past the
group into darkness
Every inhabitant of Rocky Gulch
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 Il smile
on the sweet upturned face.
ITS cryin shame."- said Coyote
Pete, "thet the Babe can't hev genu-
inc, first class funeral, but there amt
no show fer a spread in this hole
EFF 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
talkin."
Now, don't ye fret" said Badly
Slick, Babes goin ter hev funeral,
the like Of which amt been seen I'm Moo
York itself" and he unfolded his plan
to the boys.
Two of Badly Sticks tables were
torn apart and rude casket was con-
structed 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, con-
tributed 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 sprnliled some of the dust
When the casket was taken to the
house Joe and his wife broke down
completely.
"Oh, it is SO sweet. said Mrs. Joe,
land 1t Is so kind of you. We were
troubled to think that Babe could not
have nice burial, and now this
this And she could say no more.
The services at the grave were
simple. Mrs. Joe had Bible, and
Silent Sam was asked to read a chapter.
He did so. and then the little form was
lowered into the messy bed prepared
for it. One by one the men passed the
open grave, tossing In their last offer
{ ing to Babe, fresh blooming flowers
gathered from the mountain side, and
as they turned from the grave they
each took Joe and his wife by the
hand in silent sympathy.
Silent Sam was the last to clasp their
hands. and as he did so he said
"Goodby, Joe; goodby, Mrs. Joe
I'm goin home to my little feller an
the woman."-Buffalo News