Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-01-18
PART |.
CHAPTER 1.

side OF the large chinked-log room, |
leaned half dozen men. two OF whom |
were discussing the relative merits
OF spruce tea and lime juice as rene
dies for scurvy. They argued with an
air OF depression and with intervals
OF morose silence The other men
scarcely needed them. In a row.
against the opposite wall, were the
gambling games. The crap table was
deserted. One lone man was playing
at the faro table. The roulette was
not even spinning. and the gamekeep
er stood by the roaring, redhot stove.
talking with young. dark-eyed wom-
an. comely Of face and figure. who was
known from Juneau to Fort Yukon as
the Virgin. Three men sat in at stud
poker. but they played with small
chips and without enthusiasm, while
there were no onlookers. On the floor
Of the dancing room. which opened out
at the rear. three couples were waltz
ing drearily to the strains OF a violin
and a piano
Circle City was not deserted, nor
was money tight The miners were in
from Moosehead creek and the other
diggings to the west, the summer
washing had been good. and the mems
pouches were heavy with dust and mug
gets. The Klondike had not yet been
discovered. nor had the miners Of the
Yukon learned the possibilities of deep
digging and wood-firing. No work was
done in the winter. and they made a
practice of alternating in the large
camps like Circle City during the long
Arctic night. Time was heavy on their
hands. their pouches were well filled
and the only social diversion to be
found was In the saloons. Yet the Ii
wolf was practically deserted. and the
Virgin. standing by the stove. yawned
with uncovered mouth and said to
Charley Bates
IF something don't happen soon, I'm
goin to bed. What's the matter with
the camp. anyway? Everybody dead 2
Bates did not even trouble to reply.
but went on moodily rolling a ciga-
rette Dan Macdonald, pioneer sa-
loonman and gambler on the upper
Yukon. owner and proprietor OF the
Tiyoli and all its games. wandered tor
lornly across the great vacant space OF
floor and Joined the two at the stove
Anybody dead?" the Virgin asked
him.
Looks like it," was the answer.
Then II must be the whole camp.
she said with an air of finality and
with another yawn.
Macdonald grinned and nodded. and
opened his mouth TO speak, when the
front door swung open and man ap
peared in the light. lie would have
appeared n large man had not huge
French Canadian stepped up to hin
from the bar and gripped his hand.
Hello. Daylight" was his greeting
by Gar. you good for sore eyes
Hello. Louis. when did you-all blow
in?" returned the newcomer. Conn
mn and have a drink and tell us al
about Bone creek Why. doggon
you-all. shake again. Where's tina
pardner of yours? I'm looking 10
him"
Another huge man detached himsel
from the bar to shake hands. Ola
Henderson and French Louis. partner
together on Bone creek. were the wv
largest men in the country, and thong
they we're hut half head taller ina
the newcomer. between them he wa
dwarfed completely.
Hello. Olaf" said the one Gale
Daylight. "Tomorrow's my birthda.
And you. too. Louis. Come up an
drink. and I'll tell you-all about It.
The arrival of the newcomer SCENE
10 send food OF warmth through IN
rlace. ITS Burning Daylight On
Virgin cried. the first to recogni2
him as he came into the light. Charlie
Rates tight features relaxed at III
sight. and Macdonald went over an
Joined the three at the bar. with III
advent of Turning Daylight the VINO
Mace suddenly became brighter an
cbeerier The barkeepers were actlv
Voices were raised. Somepoo
laughed. And when the fiddler, pee
ing into the front room, remarked
the pianist: IT'S Burning Dayngh'
the waltz time perceptibly quickene
and the dancers. catching the cont
gion. began to whirl about as IL '''
really enjoyed 1t. II was known
them of old-time that nothing l"
guished when Burning Daylight WI
around
He turned from the bar and saw L
woman by the stove and the Gag
look of welcome she extended him.
Hello, Virgin. old girl" he call'
Hello, Charley. Whats the matt
with you-all? Why wear races II
that when collins only cost thr
ounces? Come up, you all, and drii
Come up. you unburied dead an nal
your poison. Come up, eVeryoo'
This is my night. and I'm going
ride u. Tomorrow I'm thirty
then I'll be an old man. It's the IL
fling 81 youth Are you-all win m
Surge along. then. Surge along