The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-12-17

ROBABLl 1OT lnc reason tndt ne mas
I'D elected to follow the oneliest calling in
the world, Christmas with the prospec-
N<2{H tor in any part OF the world can hardly
0xixskW be called an occasion OF cheer said an
old-time prospcctor who had followed the lure
OF gold pretty well all over the globe. Generally
Christmas is a time OF soreness OF spirit with
him for the reason that the date merely serves
to revive old memories and to intensity his sense
Of aloofness from all the pleasures OF life. II he
happens to be in a mining camp on Dec. Is his
bitterness is merely intensified. Uncouthncss,
which passes over his head during the remainder
OF the year, serves to rritate him on Christmas
l have been in a mining camp in Alaska at
Christmas when it was instinctvely felt that II
any man merely said word about the day it
would mean his death Men talked briefly enough
Of other subjects, but no man venturcd remark
about Christmas.
II was in such a camp about ten years ago,
forty miles inland from Council. There was a
big bunch OF 'snowbrds in therc-that being the
name OF the Alaska prospector who darcs the
SHOWS of winter in following his calling For
several days an atmosphere OF gloom had set
tied down on the camp. We were all drcading
the advent Of Christmas day, with the memories
it was sure to bring. remembered that ! had
not seen my partner, All for a day or two but
thought he was gloomng around Just like the
rest OF us-prcierring to flock alone But took
stroll down to ATS shack, Just to see how he
was getting along He had a big dog-one OF
the native breed that is more savage than
wolf. | noticed that the dog didn't threaten TO
make mincc-meat OF me as was his wont when
/ hove in sight. Wondering what had come over
the criter to make him so gentle. ! showed past
him and entered ATS little one-room cabin but
my own heart almost stopped beating when !
saw that All was dead.
HI FL. tatt., tttrr I.f.- hgI
saving his prayers. He had been sick for some
time, but nobody thought it was anything
rious, and All, who had been a prospeetor for
fifty years, wasn't the sort TO complain. lie
wasn't much given 10 praying, but probably the
tmemories OF Christmas had started him 20 re-
peatinp some boyhood prayer, and death took
him while he was on his knees.
when the rest OF the boys heard what had
happened everybody agreed that so popular a
man as ALI ought to have The right kind OF a
funeral. II was two days to Christmas and we
decided to bury him on that day. Furthermore,
he was to have a Masonic funeral But there
was nothing in that barren waste to serve as
sprig Of acacia Two volunteers Offered 20 mush
to Council a mere matter OF forty miles and
back and bring some branches from few stunt
ed pines that grew there. Others volunteered
to <g-epare the grave. One job was about equal
ehe other. We blasted a grave out OF solid
*, and IN the Alaskan winter darkness VIC
buried poor old All with all the honors to which
his craft entitled him. 1t was the most solemn
scene that ever entered my lfe-that Christmas
funeral north Of So
"Some Of the sourdoughs made il point to
spend every Christmas in the states even Il
they've missed the last OF the regular boats and
have 10 mush to Radak or Dutch HarhcT and
conc out with government outfit ! came down
with such bunch one year and we hit Seattle on
ChII.|nas day. In our party was chap who
har married an Eslimo-a girl who had found
In nearly frozen on the trail and who had saved
L. LII Il -. al. l-.l -in-hl hi. wife had had