The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-02-23
PART l..
CHAPTER I.

II was a quiet night in the Tiv0li
At the bar, which ranged along one
side OF the large chInkedlog room,
leaned half a dozen men, two OF whom
were discussing the relative merits
Of spruce tea and lime Juice az rene
dies for scurvy They argued with an
air OF depression and with intervals
OF morose silence. The other men
scarcely needed them In 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-
or stood by the roaring. red-hot stove.
talking with young. darkeyed WON
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 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 filed
and the only social diversion TO be
found was In the saloons. Yet the tt
voll 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 10 bed What's the matter with
the camp. anyway? Everybody dead
Bates did not even trouble to reply.
but went on modify rolling ciga
rette Dan Macdonald, pioneer ga
ioonman and gambler on the upper
Yukon. owner and proprietor OF the
Tivoli and all its games, wandered for
iornly across the great vacant space o!
door and Joined the two az the stove
Anybody dead?" the Virgin asked
aim.
Looks like IT," was the answer.
Then Il must be the whole camp,
che said with an air OF fnality and
with another yawn.
Macdonald grinned and nodded, and
opened his mouth 10 speak, when the
front door swung open and a man APP
reared In the light. He would have
appeared a large man had not huge
Professionalism stepped up TO him
from the bar and gripped his hand.
Hello. Daylight" was his greeting
"Ry Gar. you good for sore eyes!"
Hello Louis. when did you.all blow
I'M" returned the newcomer. Come
UP and have q drink and tell us all
about Bone creek. Why, dog'gone
you.all. shake again. Where's that
pardner OF yours? I'm looking fo'
him"
Another huge man detached himself
from the bar 20 shake hands. OLAF
Henderson and French Louis, partners
together on Bone creek. were the two
largest men In the country. and though
they were but half head taller than
the newcomer, between them he was
dvarfed completely
Hello. Olaf" said the one called
Daylight. Tomorrow my birthday
And YOU, TOO. Louis. Come up and
drink, and I'll tell you-all about Il"
The arrival OF the newcomer seemed
20 send food OF warmth through the
place "its Burning Daylight the
Virgin cried he FIRST 20 recognize
him as he came into the light. Charley
Bates tight features relaxed at the
sight. and Macdonald went over and
Joined the three at the bar With the
advent of Burning Daylight the whole
place suddenly became brighter and
cheerier The barkcepers were active.
Voices were raised Somebody
laughed. And when the fiddler. peer.
ing into the front room. remarked 10
the pianist: ITS Burning Daylight"
the waltz time perceptibly quickened
and the dancers, catching the conta
zion. began 10 whirl about as II they
really enjoyed II, II was known &c
them Of old-time that nothing Ian
suished when Burning Daylight was
around.
He turned from the bar and saw th'
woman by the stove and the cage
look OF welcome she extended him.
Hello. virgin. old girl" he called
HELLO. Charley What's the matte
with youall? Why wear faces Tx
that when collins only cost thre
ounces? Come up. you-all and drink
Come up. you unburied dead. an nam
your poison Come up, everybody
This Is my night. and I'm going I
ride H. Tomorrow I'm thirty. an
then I'll be a& old man. It's the las
ding OF youth. Are you-all with me
Surge along. then. Surge alonS."