Evening star., 1928-03-20

There was commotion in Roaring
Camp. It could not have been a fight.
for In 1850 that was not novel enough
TO have called together the entire set
tement- The whole camp was COL
lected before q rude cabin on the outer
edge OF the clearing Conversation
was carried on IN a low tone, but the
name Of woman was frequently re-
peafed- II was name familiar enough
n the camp: Cherokee Sal
Perhaps the less said of her the
better She was q coarse, and, il is
20 be feared, very sinful woman But
AZ that time she was the only woman
In Roaring Camp. and was Just then
Iy1ng IN sore extremity. when she need
ed most the ministration of her own
sex
Deaths were by no means uncom-
mG7 in Roaring Camp. but birth was
. new thing. Hence the excitement.
The aSSemblage numbered about a
hundred men One or two Of these
we're actual fugitives from justice. some
we're criminals and all were reckless.
The camp Lay IN triangular valley be-
tween two hills and a river The only
outlet was a steep trail over the sum-
nit 0. hin that faced the cabin. now
Illuminated By the rising nc oon. The
suffering woman might ha Te seen 1t
from the rude bunk wherein she lay.
BY degrees the natural levity OF Roar
ing Camp returned. Bets were freely
offered and taken regarding the result
Three 70 five that Sal would get
through with it,; even that the child
would survive: side bets as 10 the sex
and complexion OF the coming stranger
Then the new arrival was heard to cry.
The camp rose 70 its feet as one man
II was proposed TO explode barrel OF
g1upowder. but in consideration Of the
mother, better counselS prevailed. and
only o fe"' reyoiYerS were discharged
For Cherokee Sal was sinking fast
Within an hour she had passed out OF
Roaring Camp, its sin and shame. for
ever But the announcement did moi
disturb them much. except IN specu-
lataon as TO the fate Of the child
An hour later the door was opened
and the anxious crowd Of men, who
had already formed themselves into q
line. entered in single file On a pine
table there was candle-box. and WITH
an il, gwatiaed In staring red flannel, las
the last arrival at Roaring Camp. Be.
side the box was placed q hat. It
Use was soon indicated.
The first man entered with his hai
on: he uncovered. however. as ne lookee
about him and 50 unconsciouSly set ar
example 70 the next. The contribution
included: Silver tobacco box, dub.
loon, q navy revolver a gold specimen
ar embroidered lady'g handkerchief. Z
diamond bgeaStpan, . diamond ring. Z
Bible. q golden spur, a silver teaspoon
pair o. surgeons shears. Bank o.
England note for pounds and aboul
800 In loose gold and silver coin.
Only one incident occurred 70 tYeai
the naonotony Of the curious process
sion. As Kentuck bent over the bo1
half cUrlously. the child turned, and
4n a spasm u pain. caught ~ his crop
ang finger, ard held IL fast for mo-
Knent. Kentuck iooked foolish and en-
bsrrsssec. The little cugs!" he said
as he exfyiczted his finger, with per
hsps more tenderness and care thar
he might have been deemed capable o
showing He neld that finger a httli
apart from rs fellows as he went out
and examined IL cuFiously. He rasties
with my finger" he remarked, tin
little cJEs
The next day Cherokee Sal had ssicl
rude burial az Roaring Camp afforded
There SsE formal meeting 10 discus
wnst should be oone with neT infant
A. resolution ~ ADOPT II vas unsni
nous and enthusiastic. But an ami
mated discussion IN regard 70 the man