West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-08
A WOMAN IN
CAMP
BY NJ. QUAD
BY NJ. QUAD
Copyright. 1913. by Associated lit.
erarv Press

hunters and Indian lighters rode up C
our mining camp with lone woman
in their midst.
lt had been twenty-five months since
amy of us had seen anything more ro
ssmbing woman than pair of spec.
taeles and red cotton handkerchief
aud TO say that we were knocked down
stepped on and crushed into the hard
soil with nstouishment is saying little
enough.
The woman was widow, who hat
been captured by the Indians from ar
inmigrNnt train and then recaptureG
hy the hunters. she was about forty
wears Of age. had taken the situation
coolly and Instead OF making nm effort
60 restore herself TO tue train aud to
her relatives with whom she was four.
neying had asked 10 be set down In
our camp until she could make up hel
iaind what course TO pursue. This was
the way the leader OF the hunters turn
Ell her over TO our care:
SAY, YOU diggcrs arter silver. here's
a woman who wants TO stop here for q
spell till she gets rested. She's eddi.
Gated. and she sings like n south vino
blowing over prairie flowers"
And this was the way we received
her:
"Ahem-yes-ahem-Jess so--hats of
hoys-no swearing-glad to see ye-
hope yer well--ahem-exactlyw
There were thirty OF us standing
knees wabbling and more coming up
from the diggings every minute. and
something I'm the situation made the
widow grin as she looked us over. I
filed my claims as follows:
First-I assisted her or the horse.
Second.-I said hoped she was well
Third remarked that Il was n
melodlous afternoon.
Fourth. She accepted my arm as
we walked 60 camp and then accented
my shanty as her headquarters.
If a tidal wave six feet high had
come rolling up the valley II wouldn't
have produced half the futter occa.
stoned by the presence OF the Widow
Fleming. There were eighty or ninety
OF us. rough, brawny and more or less
wicked. some married. some divorced
ana some old bachelors. and To have n
dumpy little black eyed widow with n
( pretty mouth and voice as sweet ns
SIXTY cent molnsses pop I'm upon us al
o'clock I'm the afternoon was excuse
enough tn stop work
SeVeral curious things happened
right away. Colonel Taylor. who had
never been known TO wash his face or
comb his hair. started ont I'm search of
clean shirt and n pocket comb.
Bill Goodhen. the ugllest looking man
In camp offered So for n piece OF look
Ing glass two inches square. and. not
being able TO find one. be went and
washed his feet as the next best thing.
There was general washing np aud
combing and scrubblng and hunting
out clean shirts and neckties. and the
old man Payson. who had been sick I'm
bed for week. got up and began 10
chew tobacco and call for his clothes.
and he'observed:
Gentlemen. who knows but what
this wldder heard I had 500 saved up.
ana she has come here TO ask for my
hand In mnrriage?"
| have further claims TO file. as fol
lows:
Flftb.-T was chosen guardian TO the
widow by unanimous vote.
Sixth. The widow seemed perfectly
satisfied with the choice.
Seventh. I had the only clean white
shirt In that whole camp. and only Eve
buttons were missing from the gar
ment
Other claims were intrusted TO me TO
be fled. NJ follows:
Seven different men had their hair
cut
six others shaved themselves with
Jackknlves
over dozen Of our band let up n
notch or two on swearing
Wei, " was curious what n chan0e
that widow wrought I'm our camp. in
our way OF living. and upon the man
ners OF the men. Each made an effort
to clean ana slick up, and in most
cases with marked success. Before her
advent we could count on two or three
quarels per day. After her coming
such thing was never known Indeed
one day, when Peter White so far for
got himself as to insult Charles O'Gay.
Charles took him aside and whispered.
Peter, J kin turn We wrong side out
In six ticks Of a clock. but I'm not
the sort Of gentleman 10 kick up
a row and UPSET lady's nerves. fIi
lay It up agin ye. and arter she leaves
camp I'll wallop ye or die trylngw
And the widow. she sewed on but.
tons ana mended rent garments for the
whole Of MS. and she taught this ono
how to cook. and that one bow to-
patch and darn. and before we knew
Il she was a Rodmotber and an Idol
a queen could not have commanded
deeper respect. nor an angel greater
reverence.
She was with us about six weeks.
and then went away with friends
who came for her. Each man was
taken by the hand and given n goodby
word. ana rs she was lost 20 sight
down the trail the awful silence among
our crowd was broken by the thunder.
ing report Of the Judge blowing his
nose. followed by the husky observa-
ton.
"Waal 7 swami Hanged if I've felt
30 much like crying in about forty.
seven years"