The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-01
THE PROVIDENT TENDERFOOT
The Wild Westerners Finally the Secret His Myter
ious Tin Box

From the New York Telegraph.
A rotund little man got off the two.
car train at Council, the railroad term.
mus, and looked helplessly about.
mo porters to carry ones bags?" he
asked nervously.
"Ones gotter do his own packin' eli
ones sucker enough to be carryin' it all
in ones pocket" replied red-faced pros
pector.
| Hilarious smokers met his wit The
rotund traveller had to grin.
Then which ways the hotel-or do you
sleep in dugouts in this country?' he
asked.
Some the boys are so glad to see a
regular bar again they stay up an save
room rent - said the humorous pros
| pector
| "Overland's straight down the walk,
mister" called the conductor, who was
selling three hogs he had brought from
Weser as a side speculation.
The tourist had a large collection of
leather cases and kit bags. He picked
up three of the largest. signing heavily.
Here, gimme a couple Well help
you along" said the prospector.
| The five men who had talked minerals
during the trip shifted the flour bags in
closing their wardrobes to left hands.
That left five strong rights to carry the
strangers smart baggage.
The latter felt intensely grateful. This
was the real west. When his property
was heaped in the stuffy office of the
Overland he warmly requested all pres
ent to join him in the bar.
He was a pink-faced, clean shaven
person of 20. and nothing quite so trim
| and tailored had ever decorated this
part of Idaho. His name was wellington
Merrill and he was headed for the gold
district of Big Creek When did the
| stage leave!
Pickett. the ruddy prospector. began to
laugh. ~
Stage goes to Meadows from here. but
the camps so miles further, over tough
| trail, too. You got to ride in an pack
your outfit" he explained.
But it's alrady packed said Merrill
pointing to his bags
Pickett made himself clearer When
Merrill realized what Quitting for the
remote mining country meant he de-
spondently asked what on earth he could
do? Once In the district he would camr
with the foreman of his firms property
| "All I know of mining is office work
you see,'' he said
Tell you-you kin buy passage in with
my outfit If plain grubll SCOT you, but
plain 1t Is an will be- said Pickett kind
| ly. I'll furnish a saddle an ridin' hawss
|
SOS to pack on one cayuse. Bein's as
it'll leave me with two more head than
I'll need in there I'll have to charge you
but at that you'll save money
Merrill was delighted.
Course. II needed you'll have to lend a
hand warned Pickett. Amt much
idlin for anybody on these trails when
| the SHOWS just meltin''
II can never thank you enough!" ex-
claimed Merrill
Pickett and Tate, his partner, scowled
and cursed as they hefted their passen-
gers bags.
| Dump out those three an sack 'em
| Horse can't pack 'em in that shape. An
what's this big tin case?' asked Tate.
Its very important not to disturb 1t,
replied Merrill.
| But they can't travel like that!'
| Merrill amiably obeyed orders in all but
one instance. He would not unlock the
| case
Make top pack OF it. with the bed
din on the bald-faced mare; an let's
get on or IT'LL be night" decided Pickett
Snowbanks and mudholes delayed them