The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1903-08-25

This story was written originally
for the San Francisco Argonaut, over
a quarter of a century 9 II has
been reproduced in German and Span
ish, and has been incorporated in
Mark Tw9in's Library of American
Humor." We find the story in an old
book, and believe IL will prove pleas
ant reminiscent reading for manv of
cur subscribers.-Ed. Silver STATED
In 1S59-it might have been five
years earlier or later; this is not his
tory for the public schools-there was
a little camp about ten miles from
Phoebe. occupied by upwards of three
hundred miners, every one of whom
might have packed his prospecting i'm
plements and left for more inviting
fields any time before sunset. When
the day was over. these men did not
rest from their labors. like the honest
New England agriculturist, but sang.
danced, gambled, and shot each other,
as the mood seized them.
One evening the report spread along
main street (which was the only
street) that three men had been killed
at Silver Reef and that the bodies
were coming in. Presently a lumbe i'm
cid conveyance labored uD the hill,
drawn by a couple of horses. well
worn out with their pull. The cart
contained a good-sized box, and no
sooner did it's outlines become visible
through the glimmer of a stray light
here and there, than it began to af-
feet the idlers. Death always enfo~ces
respect and even though no one hid
caught sight of the remains, the crowd
gradually became subdued, and when
the horses came to a standstill, tie
cart was Immediately surrounded. The
driver. however. was not in the lest
impressed with the solemnity of his
commission.
"All there?" asked one.
Haven't examined. Guess So"
The driver filled his pipe and lit Il
as he continued.
wish the bones and load had gone
over the grade"
A man who had been looking en-
stepped up to the man at once.
Il don't know who you have in tina,
box, but If they happen to De any
friends of mine. I'll lay You along
side"
I'VE can mighty soon see," said the
teamster, coolly. Just lift the lid off
and if they happen to be the mon you
want, I'm here"
The two men looked at each Other
for a moment, and the crowd gathered
a little closer, anticipating trouble.
Il believe that dead men are en-.
titled to good treatment, and when you
talk about hoping to see corpses &c
over a bank, all l have to say is, tina
it will be better for you if The late la
mented amt my friends"
Well open the box. l Ion tax,
back what l said, and if my Ian
guage don't suit your way of thinking
| guess | can stand it,"
With these words the teamster be
gan to pry up the lid. He got a boart
off, and then pulled out some Old rags
A strip Of something dark. like rose
wood, presented itself.
Eastern collins, by thunder sal,
several, and the crowd looked quit,
astonished.
some more boards flew up. and tn
man who was ready to defeul hi
friends memory shifted his weapon
little. The cool manner of The team
ster had SO irritated him mat he mad
ur his mind to pull his weapon at tn
first sight of the dead, evCl if the de
ceased was his worst and oldest enc
cover was off, and the tealls.er, clear
ing away the packing, revealed to Tn
astonished group the top Of somethin.
which puzzled all alike.
Boys" he said, this is a palmer.
A general shout of laughter went u
and the mar who had been so apXiou
to enforce respect for the dead muI
tered something about feeii IL dry, an
the keeper of the nearest bar was sew
cral ounces better off by the :llLe h
boys had given the joke ali the atten
ton it called for.
Fad a dozen dead men been in tn
box. their pressn'e in the lamp cuu'
not have occasioned half the excite
ment that the arrival OF that lionel
piano caused. BY the mex mcrnNnS
was known that the instrument was I
grace a hurdy-gurdy saloon. owned b
Tom Goskin, the leading gambler i
t',s Face. II ook nearlv a week {
get II is wonder on its legs, and til
owe pr was the proudest indivi lnal !
the state. 1t rose r:adp thy ma
recumbent to an upright position
amid a confusion Of tongues. afte
f,,o mammal Of tho toWar of Rahal