The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-13
Gbe Bome.
Going Of
Silent Sam

HUUSHHU HWHDD
bayfield, News.
was a strange conglomeration of hui
mainly that occupied the mining camp
in Rocky Gulch. Prospectors and adven-
turers from all parts of the globe were
there assembled. There was Red Mike;
there was Badly Slick, who had made
and lost fortunes at the card tables;
there was Coyote Pete, who had pros
pected in every gold field on the face Of
the globe; there was Silent Sam, so call
ed because of his Discrimination to join in
conversation, and laxative Bob, who re-
ceived his appelation for a dissimilar rea-
son; there was St Louis Joe, who dis
pensed liquor to the miners, and Tipsy
Tim, whose sole ambition was to pan
enough dust tc keep himself in a chronic
state of intoXication. There were others,
but among them all no representative of
the gentler sex until Joe Hardy-Honest
Joe, they dubbed him-drifted into camp,
accompanied 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 shoot
ing; and when Joes baby came a wave
of reformation actually swept through
the camp.
1t became the custom to gather around
Joes cabin every Sunday, and the baby
was gazed at with mingled awe and ad-
miration. 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 a sad day for Rocky Gulch,
:, Dol xrrnc he Low mo
her little bed, tossing her tiny arms and
moaning plaintively. The miners knock
ed off work and gathered in anxious
groups a little distance from the cottage.
St. Louis Joe closed his saloon tight, and
declared not drop would the boys get
until Babe got well.
Amt a goin' ter hev some galoot git
full an git a-shootin off his gun an dis
turbin' Babe he said.
Half a dozen of the men remained up
all night near the cottage Ito 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 a mother" re-
marked Mrs. Joe, after Sam had been
ministering to the little sufferer.
Sam swallowed a big lump in his throat
two or three times before he replied:
'I had a little Teller about Babes age
when 1 left home two years agone."
''I 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 I left" said Sam.
"Guess I was mostly to blame, though"
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 midnight,
Joe came to the half dozen men who
still kept their nightly vigil near his cab
in. They gathered around him.
ANY change, Joe?" they eagerly in
CURED.
Joe struggled some minutes to reply,
and then with a great sob said:
Babes 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 re-
spectful 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 peace
full figure which lay with a smile on the
sweet, upturned face.
las a cryin' shame said Coyote
Pete, tibet Che babe can't have a genuine
frst-class funeral, but there amt no show
fer a spread in this hole
EFF there was time I'd go to Frisco an
tote a casket in on my back said Red
Mike, but there amt no use talkin'."
Now, don't We fret said Badly Slick,
''Babe's goin to hev a funeral, the like
of which amt been seen in Moo York it.
self" and he unfolded his plan to the
boys.
Two of Badly Sticks tables were torn
apart, and rude casket was constructed
oil the boards. The inside was lined with
a 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 a pleasant
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 COM
pletely
"Oh, 1t 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-thls-" and
she could say no more.
The services at the grave were simple.
Mrs. Joe had a Bible and Silent Sam
was asked to read q chapter. He did so,
and then the little form was lowered into
the messy bed prepared for 1t. One by
one the men passed the open grave, toss
ing in their last Offering to the 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 he did so, he said:
"Good-by, Joe; good-by Mrs. Joe. I'm
going home to my little Teller an the
woman"
NIGHT TRAIN TO CHICAGO