The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-07-11

ltS palmy DAYS, was mucn Ollehel
i a weapon of offense than of de-
fense, and was largely the cause
of lawlessness and bloodshed; and the
mere knowledge that he was an eX-
pert in its use caused many a man 10
draw it when otherwise he would not
have done so. But, like every other
evil, it was not an unmiXed one, and
was not pulled" invariably with blood
letting intent. A siXshOoter figured
prominently in one Of the prettiest
little romances l ever knew of, and
no blood was spilled. either. But the
hand of time has to a great extent
drawn the veil over those days, and
they linger only in the memories of the
old-timers who are left and who"
Here, man, don't excite our curl
osity in that way, by suggesting an in
teresting story, and then quietly pro
ceed and leave it untold" said one of
the listeners.
That's what l say" Certainly"
"Of course" by all MEANS" came in
chorus. Let us have the episode in
which the deadly revolving machine
fgured"
A group of men, several forty
miners" among them, were gathered in
one corner of a Los Angeles hotel TO-
tunda, talking of their CORNER expert
ences in the gold fields, and comparing
the men and the methods of that lurld
period-the days of the pick, shovel,
washing-pan and revolver-with pres
ent-day mining methods, machinery
and men.
"It was more than an episode, gen
tlemen; it was an event, in the lives
of two of those concerned" said the
first speaker. For Steve Daniels,
knight of the siX-shooter, it was per-
haps only an episode. Later, he-but
that's another story.
"In 1860 | was working claim at
Monito, in Nevada County, and doing
fairly well. More than year had
passed since paydirt was struck, and
there were some 800 or 1000 people in
the camp, and saloons, of course, in
proportion. The Golden Eagle was
one of the most popular of these, and
Steve Daniels was the bright particular
star among its freqUenters. 1t was
reported that he had formerly been
cowboy, and an unusually quiet,
peaceable member of the unquiet
calling, until after the death of his
wife. He soon after came to the dig
gings, bringing with him his little boy,
about three years old, and Manuel,
Mexican, whose special business it was
to look after the child, though he in
cidentally acted as cook also.
Daniels, who was one of the early
arrivals at Monito, staked claim and
stuck closely to business for some
time; that is, until his first gun-play.
When sober he was an easy going, low
spoken fellow, just the kind bully
would select to impose on, and this
one of that class was deceived into
doing not long after the rush to Mon
ito. He was buried next day, and
Daniels reputation as remarkably
quick and accurate shot was duly es-
tablished. He fired three times and
yet we could find but one hole through
the mans body, and that not much
larger than the opening usually made
by one ball from regulation six
shooter, the bullets having scarcely
varied line.
after that Daniels got on sprees
periodically, and while they lasted he
let himself loose for the fun there was
In, To M a
man when drinking. but drunk or sober
he loved his child with every throh
of his heat And 'Nugeto,' for that
was the name given him oy Manuel
because of his golden curls, was as
sturdy, handsome and cute a little
fellow as one would wish to see. AS
an Off-hand swearer be was about the
easiest and most accomplished-withi
the limits of his vocabulary-that
ever heard. He was given many O
pinch of gold-dust by those reckless
miners in exchange for 'cuss words,
and as his list heightened his pile
increased.
Manuel seemed really fond of the
boy, and no one could have taken
better care of him; that is, while he
was on duty But the Mexican was
like his employer in one respect he
would go on jamborees. On these
occasions he always disappeared, how
ever, and was usually gone severa
weeks. Daniels accepted these little
OBJECTIONS as a matter of course, never
touched a drop while Manuel wa.
absent, but attended strictly to the boy
and the claim. By the time the Mexi
can returned Daniels had dust enough
on hand to enable him TO act the par
of master of ceremonies at the Colder
Eagle with satisfaction to himself ant
his friends. He was having Lis fin;
one night, soon after Manueps return
when some one remarked that tender
foot had come in on the afternoon
stage.
'Trot him out, then,' ordered Steve
Some of you fellows go and get hin
and I'll furnish the fun
1.-TWO of them went out. and re