Year: 1879

OF course l went to Leadville, that
wonderful mushroom city, which can
boast of the most rascally gamblers,
hardest drinkers, checklist bummers, and
the vilest prostitutes in creation. Ones
first impulse upon arriving in the town
is to start ont and see the sights-to gaze
in upon the money gambling hells, where
money is eyer changing hands upon the
turn of card. Above the sharp click
ing of the ivory checks can be heard the
voices of the dealers calling upon the
players to make your bets, gentlemen
while notes of exultation and cursing
come forth in strange chorus, uttered by
those who lose and those who win. But
it is not of gambling that would tell
you. The scenes are but duplicates of
those SO familiar to every pioneer in the
early days of the Union Pacific Railroad.


was standing in front of the hotel,
when my attention was attracted by o d.
lapidated, antiquated-looking specimen
of a saloon hummer, who was passing
along the street ringing a bell. Atinter-
vals he would cease ringing, and shout:


Religious racket right away at the Lig
tent! Roll up, tumble up, or slide up on
ye years, for we'll have bang up dish
o gospel talk from Faro Bill; and don't
you forget it!'


Turning to dapper little gambler wha
stood near, asked:


who is this Faro Bill2'


who is he? Well now. If that amt
the boss play fur high. You kin kreak
me right here if thought there was a
bloke in the mines that didn't know
Bill. He used to be one O the boys, but
got capped into religious game by n
slick-tongued gospel sharp about two
months ago. He's chopped on all his
old rackets. an don't stand in with moth
in now that don't show up Bible or
prayer book in the layout. Billy used
to be the boss gambler Of the camp, ard
wasn't afeared to sit in a game with the
fyest sports that ever slung card; but
he's clean gone on the pious lay now, and
seems to have lost all good there was
ever in him. The boss mouthpiece of
the heavenly mill has gene down to Den
ver, an Bill is agoin' to stand in an sling
gospel to the boys as well as he can.


This explanation, given in the most
earnest tones, started me irstanter for
the big tent. 1t was used at night for q
variety theater, where artists Cd of cues
tlonable character performed acts of still
more questionable decency, and was rent
ed for religious services every Sunday
morning. found the tent filled to its
utmost capacity. Many had, no doubt,
come through curiosity to see how Bill
would deport himself in this, his initial
sermon. Upon the stage sat . huriy,
red-faced man, with arms folded in a
carelesa manner, who looked over the
large audience with an air of the most
decided independence. This was Faro
Bill, the speaker Of the occasion. When
he arose he glanced around the tent for q
moment, evidently collecting his thoughts
and began;


Fellow citizens: The preacher bein'
absent, it falls on me to take his hand
and play it fur all it's worth. You all
know that I'm just larnin' the game,
an of course, may be expected to make
wild breaks, but don't believe thar's O
rooster in the camp mean enough to take
advantage of my ignorance, an cold-deck
me right on the first deal. I'm sincere
in this new departure, an / believe I've