Jim Aabshall'8 New PlANNEB AMD OTHER ,-- Westerk Stories ; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Chap. Copyright No. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WILLIAM DEVERE, Tramp Poet of the West." Jim MARSHALL'S New Pianner AND OTHER WESTERN STORIES. (Specially Adapted for Public Reading.) BY y WILLIAM DEVERE, "TRAMP POET OF THE WEST," WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY DOLPH LEVINO AND J. MORNINGSTAR. M. WITMARK & S0NS^'^^^^1'| New York, Chicago and London. 1897. T6 i^Vs Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1897, ^Y M. WiTMARK & Sons, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ENGLISH COPYRIGHT SECURED. CONTENTS. PAGE Black Hills Sermon (A) 57-63 B. P. O. E 116-118 'Ceptin' Ike 64- 69 Charity, Justice, Brotherly L-ove and Fidelity 1 19-12 1 Case Equal (A) 122-125 Give the Devil his Due 55- 56 Hey, Rube , 19-21 Higgins 22-30 He Can — Like Kelly Can 43- 45 His Letter 46- 49 Horse Philosophy • . . 70- 74 Jim Marshall's New Planner 6-13 Jeff and Joe 109-115 Kinder Susp'shus 33- 36 No Opening — Write Again 78- 86 Offty Gooff s Methuselahism 31- 32 Parson's Box (The) 37- 42 Queen of Hearts (The) 103-105 Roger. . 99-102 Spokane 129-130 That Queen 75-77 Throw the Inkstand at 'em, Johnny . . . . 87-89 Two Little Busted Shoes 90- 95 Ten Mile or Bust 96-98 Tragedy (A) 105 That Beautiful Snow 106-108 Walk 50-54 What t' 'ell 126-128 You're jest like yer Mother, Mandy ... . 14-18 TO MY ILLUSTRATORS. DOLPH Lkvino, Esq., Dear Friend : — You have grasped the true iuspiration of western humor, and your illustra- tions (while they are but the reproduction of scenes familiar to yourself ' , are j ust the very thing needed to vivify these wild and uncouth stories. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your fidelity to detail, and with best wishes for you and yours, I am, Your friend, WM. DEVERE. Mr. J. MORNINGSTAR, Dear Sir : — I am deeply indebted to j^ou for your fine sketches, illustrations of life in the west, contributed to this little book. They are in the right spirit and evince an artistic skill that is gratefully acknowledged by Yours sincerely, WM. DEVERE. PREFACE. Kind Reader : This humble volume is intended to be simplj' a rough chronicle of some vivified wild and woolj^ western stories, and is based upon events that have occurred in the sub-strata of western life. The characters, as well as the incidents, are all true, as can be attested by many of my readers. I make no apology for the vernacular, the diction or the syntax, and if among the debris you can extract a few grains of pure gold, my mission will have been accomplished. Some of my characters are still living. The most of them occupy positions of trust, some few of them are still prospecting in the Rockies or on the deserts of the Wild West. Some sleep in unmarked graves upon the mountain side amid the crooning of the Pignon Pines. They were all my friends. I knew no bad men in the west ; they all had many good traits about them, and the roughest of them were the most charitable. They made unchronicled history. The history of the mining camp is nearly obsolete. We may find a few that are reached by rail, but the old mining camp reached by the Concord Coach or the ' ' Freigh- ter" is fast passing away. To the living actors who took part in those scenes this book will bring maii}^ a kind remembrance, and to them, with all of its imperfections, I bequeath it. WM. DEVERH. New York City, May 1, 1897. JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER. iJUllllHJI WAS 'way above the old San Juan that me and big Bud Beedles Located — near the San Miguil — a camp we called ' 'The Needles. ' ' There wasn't many on us there, Tom Kane, and Tim McCarty, Cap Flagler, Riley Lambert, and Lish Rowe made up the party To celebrate a grand event, as ever you sot eyes on, In Tommy Gretto's little tent, where he dispensed the pizen. Jim Marshall 'd been plugged up by some on us to go and send for A bran new pianna fortay, and bring it up from Denver. Zeb Taylor, a Missourian, as miserable a sinner As ever crossed the Cimmaron, or posed as a "mule skinner," Had brought the box from Silverton, right thro' in his freight wagon, And we turned out to celebrate its advent, with a jag on. 8 JIM MARSHALL'S NBW PIANlsmR Walt Fletcher, a darned lively cuss, as funny and as frisky, Who at the best done nothing wuss than punish barb- wire whisky; Clabe, Jones, Tom Hudson, Burrill Wade, Old Creek and Tommy Tanner, Was members of the committee, to welcome the Pianner. We all dropped into Gretto's tent, first one and then the t'other. We put away one poultice, and then paralyzed another, We opened up the box and we tore off the paper I'ning, And there the new Pianner stood, a-glistening and a-shining. We sot it in the corner, just as tender as a brother. And then we took another drink, and then — we took another. And Walter Fletcher, he remarked "as how he'd hate to say it, We'd got an elephant, for not a cuss know'd how to play it. " Clabe Jones, allowed that "he would sing, if we could find a fakir. ' ' But none of us dare touch the thing, for if we did, we'd break her. And Burrill Wade, he said that "back in Maine he had a sister That could play theSuannee River till 'would knock us all a twister. ' ' AND OTHER STORIES. 9 Lish Rowe allowed "he know'd a gal 'tcould play the 'Maiden's Prayer' Till you could close your eyes and swar you'd climbed the 'Golden Stair.' " But just about this minute something happened, that I think Would make Salvation Army saints swar off and take to drink. Tom's tent front door blew open, and a figger hove in sight That made each one of us to doubt it if we was just all right. A cuss, dressed in a canvas coat, a hat cut filagree, A pair of pants, half-soled and heeled, a shirt d — d negligee. His nose, like a peeled onion, a regular cherry red. And eyes all bleared and bloodshot, seemed a bustin' from his head , A regular mountain nomad, whom nobody knew in camp. The ne plus ultra specimen of a biped called the tramp. We looked at him, he looked at us, and then his gaze turned whar, Six glasses of red licker stood, on Tommy Gretto's bar, He landed one beneath his belt, just like a mornin' bracer, And then another followed suit, wo't Lish Row'd call a "chaser," ■lO JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. II Then, wiping off his lips with an old ragged, red bandanna, He planked himself right down in front of Mar- shall's new pianner. None on us spoke, we held our breath, for just about a minute. And when he hit them ' ivories we all knowed that he was in it. He thundered off "Boulanger's March," you bet, it was a daisy. And then he hit a reel that nigh knocked Tim McCarty crazy. And then he run the gamut up to "Comin' Thro' the Rye," And played "Stick to Your Mother, Tom," until he made us cry; "The Gates Ajar" until I'd swear I heard the angels singin' , Then with old "Johnny Get Your Gun" he sot the rafters ringin'. He played "The Song that Reached My Heart," till Burrill Wade went loony He rattled "Playmates" off, and then he switched to "Annie Rooney." At handlin' Mendelsohn, you can bet he was a lily. He resurrected "Wagner," and knocked old "Blind Tom" silly. He played "The Sad Sea Waves" until you'd think you heard them sobbin', And then he trilled that "Old Scotch Air" of "Won't You Tell Me, Robin," 12 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER He swayed around the "Blue Danube" and "Old Waldtyfle" too, Then "The Star Spangled Banner" and the old "Red, White and Blue." He wandered thro' "The Miserere," and thundered the "TeDeum." Until I thought of "Eddie Pleiss" and Hank Cline's Coliseum. He played a skit from "Aida," that just woke up "Tommy Gretto," Who hollered out "Bravissimo, Decapo, Allegretto." He thundered o'er the treble, with a rattle and a roar, We heard a crash, and like a flash, he vanished thro' the door We made a rush to stop him, but he vamoosed in a wink, We stood a moment dumbfounded, and then — we took a drink. The Needles camp is busted, "Burrell Wade's" in Kansas City, "Tom Kane" shot "Riley lyambert," and was "strangled," more's the pity, "Clabe Jones" is down in Mexico, a stealin' Texas meat. And "Walter Fletcher's" writin' songs in Forty- seventh street. AND OTHER STORIES. 13 "Cap. Flagler's in Durango, I am dallying with the drama, "Jim Marshall's jiimpin' corner lots, way down in Oklahoma, "Lish Rowe" he takes his Bourbon straight, when he goes on a bust, "Tom Gretto's" out in 'Frisco, still looking for the dust, "Old Creek" is up in Ogden, and the saints snared ' 'Tommy Tanner," And a dance hall up in Rico captured Marshall's "New Planner." 14 JIM MARSHALL S NEW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 1 5 YOU'RE JEST LIKE YER I>10THER, I^AINDY." To T. J. O'Neil, Esq., of Portland, Maine. OU'RE jest like yer mother, Mandy, an' most alius hev yer way, So you're going down to the city, an' a goin' down there to stay; Wall, mebbe it's fur the best; but then the sun wont shine so bright, For after you're gone away, gal, I'll miss you day an' night. But you say you're tired of ploddin' an' worrin' all the day. An' you're jest like yer mother, Mandy, an' mo.st alius hev yer way. Speakin' about yer mother, the mornin' that she died I went in the big front bed room, an' I knelt down by her side. 1 6 JIM MARSHALL'S NKW PIANNER All' I asked the good Lord to spare her an' to leave her for me to love, But I reckon he kinder needed her in the mansion up above. She 'lowed she thought 'twas better for her to go than stay, An' you're jest like yer mother, Mandy, an' most alius hev yer way. She said that the good Lord willed it, an' she said "His will be done," Then she asked me to shove the curtains back and let in the warm bright sun. So't she could look at the dear green fields whar she had passed her life Ever since the day old Parson Brown pronounced us man an' wife. An' she told me to guard an' protect you, an' to cherish you every day, But you're just like yer mother, Mandy, an' most alius hev yer way, I promised her I'd guard ye an' protect ye from all harm. Then I felt her tears a streamin' down over my cheeks so warm. An' then she tried to comfort me an' whispered "God is love," An' when I arose your mother had gone to the Saviour up above. AND OTHKR STORIES. 1 7 Since then you've been my comfort, but you're goin' away to stay, Fur you're jest like yer mother, Mand}^, an' most alius hev yer way. I've worked an' toiled fur forty year to trj- an' im- prove the farm, Fur I wanted to have a home for you to protect 3'ou from all harm, I've toiled an' sweat in the harvest field when the summer days was hot, A tryin' to fight a mortgage off'n an eighty acre lot. An' nov; it all belongs to you, you're just eighteen to-day, An' you're jest like yer mother, Mandy, an' most alius hev yer way. Of course you'll be happier, Mandy, in your bright new city home, An' you'll laru to forget your poor old dad that's sorrowin' here alone, You'll meet up with companions who will be more to your mind. An' perhaps you'll forget yer mother's grave an' the friends you have left behind. But my blessin's shall go with you an' protect you where you stray, Fur you're jest like yer mother, Mandy, an' most alius hev yer way. 1 8 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER What's that? You aint goin' , Mandy, jest foolin', eh? I'm so glad, Well, this will be the happiest day your old dad ever had, An' I believe yer mother's spirit looks down on us from above, An' I seem to hear her angel voice a whisperin* "God is love." What's that? 'You'll never leave me? You'll always with me stay, Wal, you're jest like yer mother, Mandy, an' most alius hev yer way. AND OTHER STORIES. 19 '2 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER Can' St thou remember the happy days, For old age makes memory sad, When you were about eight hundred and eight. The first kick that we ever had. When upon my head you broke a plate, A job that was neatly done, In the year of your life, eight hundred and eight, And of mine nine hundred and one? But we're nearing the thousand now, my dear, We no longer are j'oung and strong. Old age is beginning to tell. I fear That we cannot linger long. Those happy days are forever passed, The happiest bards have sung, And I see death coming with mind aghast For its sad to die so young. AND OTHKR STORIES. 33 KINDER SUSP'SHUS. E oughtn't a dun it. It wasn't jest right, But wen he dropped inter ther Camp on that night, Some one on the gang made a quiet remark 'T he wasn't a miner 'r wasn't a shark, But he looked kinder susp'shus. He'd legs all the world like a Sandy Hill crane, An' his head wuz bare- footed, denotin' no brain; He wuz wearin' dude clothes, an' had on striped socks, An' over his shoulder he'd slung a black box That looked kinder susp'shus. He throwed down two bits on Lem Givison's bar, An' asked fur a Key West Estrellar cigar; An' then he sot-down in the corner to rest, An' he pushed that black box right in front of his breast. Which looked kinder susp'shus. 34 JIM MARSHAU/S NKW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 35 36 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER An' arg'ment riz about "round table stud," Which looked ez if it might hev ended in blood. Each man hed hiz eye right on the other one, Aji' every man thar hed hiz han' on hiz gun, An' it looked kinder susp'shus. The room wuz so still, 3^ou could hear a watch tick, When that feller's black box gin a sharp, sudden click, An' ten "forty-five's" opened out with a roar, An' the remnants were scattered around on the floor, An' it looked kinder susp'shus. We buried the pieces, all that \ve could see. Out thar in the gulch, by that old pi"non tree. With a card from his pocket, — itsstickin' thar yet — "Snap Kodak Artist, Gazootville Gazette," An' it looks kinder susp'shus. AND OTHER STORIES. 37 "THE PARSON'S BOX," A TALK OF THE SAN JUAN. NO WED Parson Hogue, well I should say, I saw the parson the very day He sot his foot in the Bank Exchange And asked Jess Potts from across the range, How business was and I heard Jess say That he hadn't turned a card that day. There was "Curly McBride," who ran the wheel, And "Fletch" at the tub hadn't made a spiel, Old "Sarge" who'd sot there many a night, With ace in the hole, and the cuter in sight, And old Jim Pencel and Jim McCabe With "Nutshell Bill" and Burr ill Wade, Jim Russell (the lawyer) who'd play a hand Or plead a case for the Rio Grande. Big "Tex," !'Ike Stockton," who stood off "Coe,'^ When he brought the gang from New Mexico, To take "Hargue Eskridge" and "Dyson's" lives. But the boys went out with their "forty-fives" And Winchesters, and they called them down On the mesa outside of Durango town. 38 JIM MARSHALIv'S NEW PIANNER We were sittin' round when the parson came, Each dealer a loafing with ne'er a game, When the parson entered and made this crack, And "Jess Potts" answered the parson back, For none of us was supposed to know That we had a parson in Durango. We was all of us partial to cards and rum And we didn't go much on "Kingdom come." AND OTHER STORIES. 39 We could play two deuces, pat at bluff, But we didn't savy "Sky Pilot's" guff, So when we heard the parson say That he had a game which he'd like to play, If he had the lay-out and we had time, "Jess Potts" got up and said he " take mine," And we gathered 'round just to hear the spiel, When the parson should shuffle up and deal. He scanned the crowd with a knowing look. And then from his pocket he took a book. And remarked, "Now boys, if you're satisfied, I've a little game called Christ Crucified," And he picked out a text called "God is love," And he told us we had a father above, And if we would only believe and pray. That he'd be our friend on the judgment da3\ He said each one was invited in And that charity covered a heap of sin. He spoke of the friends we had left behind. Of our sisters, our mothers and brothers kind. Our sweethearts and wives whom we loved the best, Whom we kissed and hugged when we came out West, And he said they remembered our last good-bye, There were tears just then in old "Sarges" ejxs. For he thought of his loved ones far-away. And just then the parson said "let us pray." And he knelt and prayed while we stood around, With heads uncovered and ne'er a sound But the parson's voice in that gambling hall, As he asked forgiveness for one and all. 40 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 4 1 I've seen many scenes in my western life Of joy, and sorrow, and care, and strife. But none could compare with the one that day, When old Parson Hogue said "let us pray." He finished and said the last amen. Shook hands all around, said he'd call again, But "Burrill Wade" said, "Just stand pat," And off from his head came his old slouch hat, With a yellow fiver he made a bluff, And he said to the gang "dig up the stuff." Down went each hand and the money fell, For all of us liked the old parson well. We filled his pockets with gold galore. And asked him to call again once more. Not a game in the house but won that day, After the parson came in to pray. And preached from the text called "God is love." So we built him a church on the mesa above, And we bought him a bell that would ring and clang. And every Sunday the whole of the gang Would knock off dealing, leave all in the lurch. Shut up the joints and all go to church, We'd list while the parson preached and prayed. For he didn't give cant or rhodomontade. He was something like parson "Tom Uzzell," Stood pat on heaven, but "sluffed" on hell: His sermon was short and right to the point, Then we all went back and opened the joint, And we dealt and played and put up our rocks, And we nailed up a thing called the parson's box, 42 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER With a hole on top just to sHp checks through, When anyone won why he'd put in a blue, And some would drop in a red or a white According as luck had behaved that night. " When a man would cash in the dealer would say, "Pards, the parson's box is across the way," And when the games all closed for the night, We would cash the parson s checks all right. Now the parson lives in Durango still. And he knows "Sam, Harry, Tom, Jerry and Bill' By name, and if you would be in vogue, You must always speak well of old Parson Hogue. He draws his salary just the same From the parson's box in each faro game. At good short sermons he's dead in line, And with faith and virtue he'll always shine. He knows just how to preach and pray, And can teach a poor sinner the narrow way. Just one word more, and that's what knocks, There's always stuff in the parson's box. ^ AND OTHER STORIES. 43 "HE CAN-LIKE KELLY CAN." J. W. Kelly was my friend, he died a year ago, But when he was alive, there were few things he didn't know. He could write and sing an Irish song as good as anyone. And not a man could touch him on a story or a pun. But one thing used to bother me, when I'd his pres- tige claim, Some other man would tell me, that he could do just the same, Or else he'd point across the street and say, there goes a man. Who can tell an Irish story or a joke like Kelly can. He can — like Kelly can — he can — like Kelly can, And then I'd look at him and say, he can — like Kelly can. 'Twould make you laugh when Kelly sang, the "Songs my mammy sang," Or the song aboitt "TimToolan," when he was an alderman. He'd tell about a Dutchman and Patrick's day parade, And when he sang that "German Band," it put all in the shade. 44 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANN^R He never had a threadbare joke, no chestnuts did he throw, But the people all around would laugh, perhaps an hour or so. And after he had finished, some idiot of a man, Would say, why I can tell that joke the same as Kelly can. He can — like Kelly can, he can — like Kelly can, Now don't you all agree with me, he can — like Kelly can. AND OTHER STORIES. 45 There was "Throw him down McClosky," and "Comedown Mrs. Flynn,'' And that glorious old come all ye, called the "Old Lakes of Cool Finn," J. W. Kelly wrote them, and could sing them like a bird, And when he told about a bum, you'd laugh at every word, What's more he'd give a dollar to the needy and distressed. And many a lone widow, Johnnie Kelly's name has blessed. And now that he has passed away, I'd ask if any man. Can boast of half a million friends, the same as Kelly can. He can — like Kelly can. He can — like Kelly can, I've only one thing more to say, He can — like Kelly can. 46 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNKR r ^ ^^ «5j ^ ^ 4 r ^ X f ^ ^ ^ 4 r ^ CJi 1 ^ ^ t f ^ •f f J -I r "3 1 AND OTHER STORIES. 47 HIS LETTER. WAS conning over letters, of the olden, golden time, Some were cramped and business laden, Others breathed in song and rhyme. Some were delicately perfumed. Others faded with old age, And by chance I came upon the one, upon the other page. Just a business sort of letter, of chirography the best, From a man we loved to honor, In "the wild and wooly west." "Gene" Field, the great warm-hearted one, And here I wish to say They never knew his sterling worth, Until he'd passed away. And I closed my eyes and pondered Oe'r his jingles, and his rhymes, 'Till I seemed to hear the crooning. Of the Colorado pines. With "Winken" "Blinken" and with "Nod" I seemed to be afloat. Then I dined on Red Horse Mountain, At old "Casey's Table dHote'" 48 JIM MARSHALL'S NKW PIANNER I wandered into "Sorry Tom's" To pass an hour away, With "Hoover" and "Bill Gillam" A t the ' ' Conversazionay . ' ' I saw "Modjeskay as Kameel" Down at the "Tabor Grand" When old "Three-Fingered Hoover" "lyOwed that he would take a hand. When "Sampson" and "Bill Stapleton" Adjourned across the way, From "Hoover's gun, and dallied, With a green abs i nthe frappe "The clinking of the ice" One of the sweetest songs I heard, A sequel to the story. Of "a Bottle and a Bird." The little old "bench-legged fyst," The gang all used to know, Down on the old Missouri, In the City of St. Joe, Where "Colonel Will S. Visscher" From the town of Moberly, Came down to write the City up. And came in C. O. D. And the Children, Heaven bless them, How they loved him one and all. And how they'd all come trooping. At his friendly beck and call. "Polly," "Molly," "Dick" and "Charley" "Johnny," "Cherry," "Bob" and "Sue" How they listened to the story. AND OTHER STORIES. Of that sweet "Uttle Boy Blue." As I wander through the reflex, Of the ever-changing years, I know the ink was watered. With the poet's loving tears. God bless that dear Bohemian, God bless his rhymes and runes, God bless the nature that could drop, From Strawberries to prunes, And so I've kept his letter And I've placed it on the page. Where my eyes can always see it, Though they may grow dim with age. 49 50 JIM MARSHALL'S NKW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 5 1 "WALK." FROM JUDGE COLE'S STORY. •P the dusty road from Denver town To where the mines their treasures hide, The road is long, and many miles The golden sty re and town divide. Along this road, one summer's day. There toiled a tired man, Begrimmed with dust, the weary way He cussed, as some folks can. The stranger hailed a passing team That slowly dragged it's load along ; His hail roused up the teamster old And checked his merry song, "Say-y stranger!" "Wal, whoap," "Ken I walk behind your load A spell in this road?" "Wal no' yer can't walk, but git Up on this seat an' ride; git up hyer." "Nop, that ain't what I want, Fur it's in yer dust, that's like a smudge, I want to trudge, for I desarve it." "Wal, pards, I ain't no hog, an' I don't Own this road afore, nor 'hind. 52 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNKR So jest git right in the dust An' walk, if that's the way yer dined. Gee up, ger lang!" the driver said. The creaking wagon moved amain, While close behind the stranger trudged And clouds of dust rose up again. The teamster heard the stranger talk As if two trudged behind his van. Yet, looking 'round, could only spy A single lonely man, Yet heard the teamster words like these Come from the dust as from a cloud, For the weary traveler spoke his mind. His thoughts he uttered loud. And this the burden of his talk: "Walk, now, you , walk! Not the way you went to Denver? Walk , ! Jest walk ! "Went up in the mines an' made yer stake, 'Nuff to take yer back to ther state Whar yer wur born. Whar'n hell's yer corn? Wal, walk, you , walk! "Dust in yer eyes, dust in yer nose, Dust down your throat, and thick On yer clothes. Can't hardly talk? I know it, but walk, you , walk! "What did yer do with all yer tin? Ya-s, blew every cent of it in; AND OTHER STORIES. 53 Got drunk, got sober, got drunk agin. Wal, Walk, ! Jest walk. "What did yer do? What didn't yer do? Why, when ye war thar, yer gold dust flew, Yer thought it fine ter keep op'nin' wine. Now walk, you , walk, " KtM f YVAIK mm YOIJR LOAD "Stop ter drink? What — water? Why thar Water with you warn' t anwhere. 'Twas wine. Extra Dry. Oh, You flew high — Now walk, you walk. "Chokes yer, this dust? Wal, that Ain't the wust. When yer get back whar the Diggins are 54 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER No pick, no shovel, no pan; Wal, yer a healthy man, Walk — jest walk." The fools don't all go to Denver town, Nor do they all from the mines come down. Most all of us have, in our day — In some sort of shape, some kind of way— "Painted the town with the old stuff," "Dipped in stocks or made some bluff, Mixed wines old and new, Got caught in wedlock by a shrew, Stayed out all night, tight. Rolled home in the morning light. With crumpled tie and torn clawhammer, 'N' woke up next day with a katzen jammer," And walked. Oh , how we walked Now, don't try to yank every bun, Don't try to have all the fun, Don't think that you know it all, Don't think real estate won't fall, Don't try to bluff on an ace. Don't get stuck on a pretty face. Don't believe every jay's talk — For if you do you can bet you'll walk! And other stories, 55 "GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE." HE Devil has always been sorely abused, Of all of earth's evils he has been accused. And search where you may you can find but a few Who are willing to give to the Devil his due. Most people have always supposed it was right To slander the Devil and treat him with spite, To such the idea is entirely new Of honestly giving the Devil his due. Though preachers and bigots who think they are wise, Insultingly call him the father of lies, Yet they fail in the proof that their statements are true, Now be honest and give to the Devil his due. Therefore I suggest that we travel more slow, And give the old gent a fair kind of a show, Resolved in the start to keep justice in view, And give to the Devil whatever is due. 56 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER He taught our first parents to open their eyes, He told Mother Eve how she might become wise, And as every assertion on record proved true, Be honest and give to the Devil his due. He invented the telescope, put it in shape, And rung Galileo into a scrape ; And his eyes were put out by the bigoted few. Charge that to the church — give the Devil his due. He speckled old Job when he got on a spree, But the Lord took a hand as well as did he. 'Twas a scurrilous job put up by the two. And only one-half to the Devil is due. True, in this one instance he did very wrong. But the Lord was in with it, he helped it along, Just size up the Devil, his faults are but few. And when you have finished just give him his due. AND OTHER STORIES. 57 A BLACK HILL'S SERIVION. iROM Deadwood? well, yes sir, I reck- on; I've been just a year on the tramp, Not missin' a railroad excitement, or skippin' a good mining camp, I've sampled the country all over, and took in the "diggins" all 'round. And at last I've fetched up with the "Webfeet" way down here on old Puget Sound. Yes, Deadwood is dead, sure enough, sir ; as we say — "Too dead for to skin" — And there's not an old timer remainin', except a few stiffs that's snowed in. But there was a titne in that country, when every- thing was in full bloom. When licker was sold for a quarter a throw, and minin' was all on the boom. It was just about then that Tom Miller was grinding his little "Show Mill," With that partner ot his, Billy Nuttall, that the knowing ones called "Lanky Bill ;" It was thar, in their "show shop" one Sunday, that I heard a quaint sermon begun — The preacher "an old reformed gambler," and the . text he gave out, "The Prod Son." 5^ JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIKS. 59 The Prodigal Son was intended to call all these sin- ners to God, But the Preacher wa' n't partial to diction, so he just cut it down to "The Prod." He remarked that the "Gospel shark" dealin' this game is not present to-day, And he asked me to "shuffle a hand up so all of you suckers could play." "And right here," he continued, "this racket's a new game to me in this town, So just play it through; there's no Jimit; you'll never be told to take down. You will find in the big book there somewhere, just where I don't know yet myself — For at home we had one of them volumes, but we kept it laid up on the shelf — But you'll find the 'Prod Son' was a 'Young Kid' whose 'Ole Man' was pretty well heeled. He had plenty of 'stuff' in his 'leather,' and long horns and sheep in his field. It occurred to the kid that he'd tackle the old man for his little bit. And then he would pack up his grip sack and quietly get up and git. He asked the old man just to give him a portion of what he had got, And he wouldn't stay home there a waitin' till Death opened up a 'jack pot'; And the old man did give him his divy right down to an old postage stamp, 6o JIM MARSHALL'S NKW PIANNER And the kid hollered 'over the river' , and ducked for the first mining camp. And he gathered 'the gang' all around him, all the bo3"S and girls he could see, And ever}^ one on em' got 'loaded,' and they had a great blow out and spree. They played the thing up to the limit, and took in each snoozer and bloke. Until they had run all the gamut, and the 'Prod Son' of course he was broke. The Good Book don't say, nor does history state, the game that he played in that place. But it's safe to suppose, my itinerant lambs, that 'his Prodship' got steered agin brace. Be that as it may, it just bust him, and sent him right down to the dogs, And the very next thing that we hear of the 'Prod', he is livin' on husks with the hogs. It occurred to him then that his racket was hardly a one that could win. So he thought he'd go back to the old man, and try to blow him in agin. Now perhaps some on you unbelievers don't think that he welcomed his son, You may think he unchained the bull-dog, and just double-shotted the gun. But he didn't; he just killed a yearling to feed this durned ungrateful scamp, And he bought him the best sheeney suit of new clothes to be found in the whole miniu' camp. AND OTHER STORIES. 6l 62 JIM maRvShall's new pianner And he got a blow-out and shindy, and everything went off slam bang. He invited the boozers and snoozers, the hobos and all of the gang; And the wine and the whisky flowed freely and they danced 'till the gray break of day, And the 'Prod Son' stood solid again boys, and further the Good Book don't say." Just then a big gambler, uprising, remarked, "Now, my friend, by your leave, There's a part of that old 'Prod Son' racket, that I cannot hardly believe; For there ain't in this camp a two-dealer, or man that will shake chuck-a-luck. If a sucker goes broke agin either, they won't give a case for his chuck. So that place in your sermonizing which says, 'He went down to the dogs, 'And when he was needing a squarer, he had to eat husks with the hogs.' Don't seem to me just orthodoxy, and unless you say you was there, I don t mind telling you cold, pard, you're yarn isn' t on the dead square. ' ' The preacher just straightened himself up, and said, "Then you think that I'm preachin' a lie." And a forty-five cracked in a minute, and the big gambler s turn came to die. There were many old "blood purifiers" and "ex- pectorators of lead around." AND OTHER STORIEvS. 63 And when quiet was shortly restored some fifteen or twenty were dead. Then the preacher resumed, "Thar' 11 be preachin' next Sunday, at just 10 o'clock, We're gom' to run scripture teachin', right thro' here from soda to hoc. My text is the first Lord's commandment, and this is the rule I've laid down, To run this game easy and quiet, if I kill every sucker in town." ^\\ ^ ^^^ti^ 64 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNKR AND OTHER .STORIES. 65 'CEPTIN' IKE. TO LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR LAL'GHTON. HAR wuz Si, thar wuz Hi, thar wuz Alicand Dan; Martha, S}^manthy, Matilda an' Fan, Eliza, Mirand}^, an' Flora an' Belle, An' they all got along most uncom- monly well, 'Ceptin' Ike. Somehow or 'nother Ike never could work, Didn't cotton to nothin' exceptin' to shirk. All of Sprague's boys an' his gals had some spunk. An' he bragged that none on 'em nobody could skunk, 'Ceptin' Ike, Thar wuz Si, could split rails, an' Dan he could mow. Thar wuz Alic could harvest, an' Hi he could hoe; Martha, Matildy an" Fan could spin yarn An' every one on 'em could work on the farm, 'Ceptin' Ike. So old Sprague allowed how as Ike wuz no good, He wouldn't fetch water, he couldn't split wood; 66 JIM marshai^l's new pianner He'd hide in the barn an' be readin' a book — You could find all the others whenever you'd look, 'Ceptin' Ike. Mother Sprague she would scold, an' old Sprague, he would cuss, An' swear Ike must work, or must go an' do wuss. Fur he warn't goin to harbor a book readin' drone, An' they all had to work to help keep up the home, 'Ceptin' Ike. So Ike packed his budget an' bid 'em good bye! An' he started for town with a tear in his eye — Old Sprague allowed of the city he'd tire, As all of the gals and boys sot 'roimd the fire, Ceptin' Ike. Wal 'twas more'n five years after Ike had lit out. No one ever hearn of what he wuz about. Some 'lowed he wuz dead, some believed him in jail; An' no one once doubted in all things he'd fail, 'Ceptin' Ike. The gals they all married; the boys settled down. Some on 'em kept farmin'. an' some moved to town. Old Sprague an' his wife they wuz left all alone; Each one of their children had moved to their home, 'Ceptin Ike. One day Sprague wuz readin' about a big ball To welcome a Senator at the town hall. AND OTHER STORIES. 67 68 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER His name it wuz Sprague — S — p — R — a — g — u — E; An' he thought of all men of that name that could be; 'Ceptin' Ike. But he made up his mind, if it cost him a leg, That he'd see that great man that the papers called Sprague. So he harnessed old Bess, into town he wuz whirled, A-thinkin' of all of the Spragues in the world; 'Ceptin' Ike. An' when he walked into the door of the hall, An' saw all the big bugs dressed up for the ball, He crowded along this great statesman to see, Ole Sprague liked to fainted, fur who should it be 'Ceptin' Ike. ''My boy! my poor Ike," ole Sprague hollered out loud. The Senator, elbowed his way through the crowd, An' he hugged the ole man just the minit he spoke, An' all the fine folks thought the thing was a joke, 'Ceptin' Ike. That night Ike he told his ole mother an' dad Of all of the ups an' the downs that he'd had. How he'd worked an* bought books, how he'd study an' read, An' no one once thought he would ever succeed, 'Ceptin' Ike. AND OTHER STORIES. 69 Ike's got just as fur as he ever can climb. He sits up in the senate, an' draws his per diem. All the rest of Sprague'sboysan' his gals jog along, But none of 'em's mentioned in story or song, ~ 'Ceptin' Ike. yo JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 7 1 HORSE PHILOSOPHY, E ancient Car horse stood at the curb, adown Fourth Avenue. Awaiting his turn to take up again, the burden of I^ife anew, And he pondered and mused on the problem, of Hfe from whichever side it was viewed, And he marveled much at His Master, man, and his base ingratitude, They tell us that man is a master mind and the acme of all that's grand, The noblest work of a noble world, that the great Creator planned. If this is true as I'd fain believe, then why am I here to-day, To work and sweat and to worry and fret, my poor old life away. When I was young I was called high strung, and could go at a lively pace, I carried a Jock to the winning post in many a hard fought race, I was petted, caressed, extolled and blessed by men both young and old. For I was the fastest in the field, and have won my weight in gold. 72 JIM MARSHAIX'S NEW PIANNER I remember the day at Louisville, when I won the Handicap, There wasn't a horse in all the field but me, upon the map, And the Brooklyn cup with a fortune up I ran it in splendid style. And I took first place in the Gloucester race. And carried away the pile. At the mystic down in Boston, the Twin City Park out west , At the Hawthorne track in Chicago I have proved myself the best. I was called the King and the Emperor, was show- ered with flowers and fame, But this was before I was broken down, and a loser in life's game. There came a day, a fatal day, the track was heavy and I, Well I was not in any form so ill that I feared I'd die, But the money was up and I had to start though I carried the world on my back. And 1 11 never forget how I labored and sweat, around that old mile track. I lost of course and from that day on I have never known renown, I dropped from a King to a nameless thing, worn out and broken down. Next day I was sold to a milk mati old, who thought me strong and stout And I learned the door of each house and store, as I drew the cans about. AND OTHER STORIES. 73 Next a garbage cart in the City Mart, I drew from door to door, And next I came to the street car man to toil for evermore, I sometimes wonder and ponder as I see upon the street, The faces of some old sports that it has been my luck to meet. If ever they recognize in me here broken down and old. The Gilding Young who was fit to run for twice his weight in gold. And I notice that some look downcast and some of them ga}^ and bright And some are moody and silent as if things warn't just right. And mayhap they have their troubles too, as well as a horse like me, Though this is a thought that has never occurred in my horse philosophy. But my life has taught me one grand truth that's not to balk or shirk, For what you have been doesn't count as long as you cannot work. And the yesterday is forgotten in the race of the bright to-day, And you cannot depend upon what you've been. you must always play or pay. But when I repine for the olden time and bemoan my fate as hard, I am better to be drawing car than a ca.se for the old boneyard. 74 JIM MARSHALIv'S NEW PIANNER I have this, its true to look forward to That thoughts of gloom dispel, That when I'm called on to cash in I've did my duty well, And this advice I give to man and its all that I have to give. Be honest and true in whatever you do as long as you may live, Your place is kept and it will wait, believe me this is true, And try to do to others as you'd have them do to you. Remember that no star is lost that 3-ou might once have seen. Remember that you always may be what you might have been. No matter what 3 our task in life be sure you never shirk, Hallo, here comes my driver and I must be off to work. AND OTHER STORIES. 75 THAT QUELNc HE Judge was a Christian, and played on the square, But he figured the cards pretty close ! He could call off your hand every time to a pair, And lay down a " full 'when he chose. The Colonel could play a more difficult game, — I don't mean to say he would cheat, But he held the top card when the big betting came, And some hands that couldn't be beat. Coming home from Chicago the two chanced to meet — They were very old friends — on the cars; And as neither the other at poker could beat. They played euchre, five points, for cigars. The cards ran along pretty evenly, too. Till the Judge turned a moment his head, When the Colonel, in shuffling, slipped the deck through And the Judge cut a cold one instead, 76 JIM MARSHALL vS NEW PIANNER Twas euchre, of course; but the Judge was amazed, When he lifted four kings in a lump; But the Colonel, not seeming a particle dazed, Turned up a red queen for a trump. " You say — do you pass, Judge?" the Colonel called out; " lyook here," said the limb of the law, ■' I've mighty queer cards; if you're in for a bout, We'll play this one hand out at draw." The Colonel considered and wriggled his neck — " I, too, have a very odd hand; If you'll give me that queen from the top of the deck. We'll play out the cards as they stand." " Agreed," said the Judge, for he saw at a glance The Colonel had one of two things — A full, or four queens, and he hadn't a chance To rake the pot down from four kings. The Judge chipped with fifty, the Colonel came back; The Judge answered him with a raise; Of the bets the two made I could never get track. But they piled up, like gals in a chaise. At last says the Judge, " Here, I'm hunting no more — Four kings; reach us over that pot." " Hold on," says the Colonel, " I, too, have found four, And they're four little aces I've got." AND OTHER STORIES. 77 The Judge took the cards and looked over them well, Fetched a breath from his trousers' waistband — " Well, what I'd like to know just now is, what in h— 11 The queen had to do with that hand." 78 JIM MARSHALI.S NKW PIANNER AND OTHKR STORIKS 79 NO OPEININC.-WRITE AGAIN, A THEJATRICAL AGENT'S STORY. [NoTK. — This Story is told by an agent to an actor when he calls for his letters at the office.] |0 you read my " Not in the Pro- gramme," eh ? You liked it? Oh, of course. - Profesh could understand its points, And I fancy some are worse. 'Twas a true story, badly told, my boy, More like a novel old. But it winds up good, and that's the Bright side of the story told. Here's two letters and a card That came for you to-day. I hope they bring good news, my boy, With an opening, right away. So while you break the seals and read, I'll write this "ad" up here. I wish that " biz " would pull up a bit. For things look devilish queer. 8o JIM MARSHALI^'S NEW PIANNKR There was poor Jim Rhodes, the heavy man, He was in here twice last night; But that piece ain't on at the Standard — If it was, he'd be all right. And there's I^a Dieux, she's been here too; It's tough with her, poor soul; An invalid mother at home to nurse, And no wealth to get food or coal. Theatrical agencies are no good; Why! two or three years ago, When I went in the biz, graft was immense, But it's different now, you know. I've got more people booked, my boy, Than could play a week in a year, And fill each minstrel hall and Each variety theatre here. What! kicking again? Well, what's up now? Bad news — I see it plain. From Shelby, eh, and Stetson, too. " No opening — write again." The same old story, you say. Oh, pshaw ! See here, what would you do If you had a wife and kids to feed And no snap for a month or two ? Why, bless you, I knew a poor fellow once, It was only a year or two — Just give me a light while I fill the old pipe, And I'll tell the story for you. AND OTHER STORIES There's nothing doing at all to-day, So we'll just chat awhile, And then we'll take a skip down town And indulge in a friendly smile. It was only a year or two ago. As I have said before, When ' ' Tony ' ' was on the Bowery, And Karl Klein, he kept next door; While Poole was down at the Comique, And things with us were fair, I was sitting, one morning early, Right here in this very chair. When a fellow I knew — an actor, too. Not one who deals in cheek. Or one of those Talma' d Romeos For six and a half per week, But a scholar and a gentleman — Came in at that very door. With a woe-begone and weary look I never saw before. " Why, what's the matter, George?" I said. For I noticed, right away. That something had gone wrong with him; " You're looking glum to-day; Wife and the kids all well, I hope." He smiled a ghastly smile, -But I noticed a sharp twitching Of the under lip the while. " Come in, old man, come in," I said; " I've half an hour to spare, 32 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER I want to chat about the times — Be seated — have a chair. The postman will be in here soon; His calls of late, it seems, Are like Pat Rooney's serial tales, Quite ' few and far between.' " What's that ? 'Twas Campbell wrote that line. But then, of course, you know That plagiarists are cheeky chaps — At least I find them so; Originals are not so thick Just at this very time, As Beautiful Snow's authors, or The poets who wrote ' Crime.' " He studied and then asked me If "I'd anything to do For him." He hadn't worked a tap For near a month or two. And when he spoke of the folks at home, I pledge my word to you It kind of made me weaken. But what was I to do ? I told him to drop in again In perhaps a day or so. And something might turn up — of course To brace him up, you know. But I noticed something curious In the look of his bright eye, And when I said good-afternoon, He answered me. " Good-by." AND OTHER STORIES 83 When he'd goue out I turned my thoughts To business right away, I had some correspondence With customers that day. But somehow — it's d — d funny, I scarce can tell you why — Instead of ending with ' ' Truly Yours, ' ' I'd Wind up with " Good-by." Did you ever have a feeling That things wasn't just in place A kind of idea that your " Nut had got off its ' kerbase' ?" Well, so it was with me that day. No matter how I'd try To keep from thinking how George looked When he said to me " Good-by." It was no use — I ' * piked ' ' around, I couldn't do a thing; I couldn't read, I couldn't write, I couldn't talk or sing, So I put on my hat and coat, and Said I to myself, " I'll go 'cross town and hunt George out And I'll spare him a little wealth." Now Brother De Witt Talmage said that Actors never could Sneak in at the gate of heaven Or do a bit of good. 84 JIM MARSHALI^'S NEW PIANNER But De Witt, he ain"t acquainted yet, For I know some of the boys. Who do a good thing once in a while And don't make any noise. But that's nothing to my story and De Witt is not my style; You let him alone and he'll come home, I reckon, after a while. If he don't — why, I sha'nt worry, for he Would not go in To ' ' the little church round the corner, ' ' If you or I " cashed in." Well, to proceed: I went 'cross town, to A place perhaps you know, A tenement house in Chrystie Street, In a place called " Lover's Row," I climbed up three long flights of stairs, And at last I reached the door. And I knocked, with a dread feeling I never felt before. I knocked again, no answer came, I listened — all was still, And over my whole being there crept A deathly chill, I called aloud— "the neighbors came — We bursted in the door; We entered, and the man I sought Was kneeling on the floor. AND OTHER vSTORIES. His wife and little children were Stretched upon the bed, And close beside their wasted forms This actor kneeling — dead. Dead of a broken heart, because That wife and little babes Had starved in this great city, With no friendly hand to aid. " Dead of a broken heart '" — good God Can such things ever be. In this great heaving, throbbing world, And no one there to see ? They say, old man, that there is One, Who " notes the sparrow's fall," Whose loving eye is ever on the Sinner, saint and all. There was a postal card beside him, I stooped and picked it up. It told the old, old story — It had overrun the cup; For on one side I read the actor's Residence and name, And on the other were these words, " No opening — write again, * A little ray of sunshine stole Athwart the attic floor, lyighting the tear-stained faces of The neighbors round tlie door. 86 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNKR Gilding the silken tresses of the lyittle folks he loved, Alike unto a messenger from That bright home above. They'd gone away from us, old man, Up to that good old home, Up to the One who bade us " Suffer little ones to come:" To that bright land where there's no more Of sorrow, care and pain, To a manager who never said, " No opening — write again." AND OTHER STORIES. 87 ^M^doaH^ To "Jack" Cor win, OF THE "Chicago Tribune." Come and sit beside me Johnny, I have something I would say, That, perhaps, may interest you. Throw that cigarette away ! I will tell a little story Of a man, well known to fame, Who eschewing all vain glory, Almost canonized his name. 88 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER Martin L^uther, saith the legend, Seated in his study grim, Conning some old Biblic story When Old Nick appeared to him, Neither gun or pistol had he To oppose the one he feared, So he threw the inkstand at him. And the Devil disappeared. Now, my boy, just take this lesson To your heart, and hold it fast. Fight the Devil with the inkstand, Take my word, he cannot last. Every ill and every evil. Every falsehood, every lie. Can be vanquished like the Devil, With the inkstand, if you'll try. Never mind the dynamiters, L,et the Czar of Russia die. Tyranny still makes the exile In Siberian dungeon lie. Anarchists are idiotic, Teach them what they are about ; Throw the inkstand at 'em Johnny, It will surely knock 'em out. Let historians boast of Nero, And on Caesar's fame descant, Edison's a greater hero Than a Sherman, or a Grant. AND OTHER STORIKS. I'hey, but freed the slave for glory, His will be a grander goal, Children learn by song and story How to free the mind and soul. Printer's ink and education, Tinged with irony and song, Sap away the strong foundation Of each monumental wrong. Make intelligence your motto. Never mind the shot or shell. Throw the inkstand at 'em Johnny, Cut 'er loose, and give 'em h — 1. 89 90 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 9 1 "TWO LITTLE BUSTED SHOES." A TOUCH OF NATURE. S'^'^^HE Orleans Club at Jimtown,* Colo- rado, '92, -;-5, Was a joint where you could play all ^ games from a split up to a blue. And the gang that hung around the club I'll say, 'twixt you and me, Would hardly cut a figure at a Methodist Pink Tea- There was "Big Ed Burns," and "Crazy Horse," "Jim Sanford," "Windy Dick," "Tom Kady," the shell juggler, "Joe Palmer,'' pretty slick, "Joe Simmons, who could deal the bank and never lose a check, "Pete Burns,'' "Jim Bolen," and "Jeff Smith," all high cards in the deck. It was in the gray of morning, and the heterogeni- ous gang Sat worrying the barkeeper with nonsense, guff and slang; All "kidding,'' "chaffing," "guying," ina smooth, good natured way, About the incidental bosh that happened yesterday. *The lower end of Creede Caiup was called Jimtown. 92 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER Sometimes (in easy tilted chair one of them d try to snooze, And then someone would "loosen up and order up the booze," Some break -of -day boy would come in and give the bar boy "guff," And learn without politeness that he'd "have to have the stuff." Then one of them would tell the tramp to "go and soak his head," And say if he "drank water he'd be found some morning dead. ' ' Theyd ask him why he didn't send to papa for a check So he could purchase barb wire booze to lubricate his neck, And after they had kidded him until he couldn't talk. They'd fill him up with Red E^^e and tell him to take a ' 'walk. ' ' Not by any means bad fellows, but they loved a little lark. And they'd give up to the needy quicker than a gospel shark. I happened in one morning to investigate my trunk; I'd left it in the barroom, for I slept up in a bunk. For sleeping berths were limited, and I could name a few Who have stood up in the corner in Jimtown in '92. Pete Burns remarked: "Get on to him; since he stopped getting drunk, AND OTHER STORIES 93 He's saved up all his money for a Saratoga trunk?" And they gathered 'round me each of them, with laughter, josh and kid, To investigate m>' wardrobe when I opened up the lid. It happenea now that "Jersey" (ye see "Jersey" is my wife, And no man ever had a better partner in his life), But "Jersey" when she packed the trunk before she closed the lid Had just thrown in a souvenir to 'mind me of the kid. And as each fellow cranes his neck the first thing that he views Is two tiny little stockings and two little busted shoes. Right here on top they rested and in fancy seemed to say "Now, papa, don't forget us when you're wander- ing far away. Not a single word was uttered by the gang that stood around. And I knew that I the secret to each great rough heart had found. And I knew that each was thinking in the early morning gray Of their wives and little darlings who were praying far away. Praying for those great rough fellows who would give their very life 94 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNKR That those wives and Httle children might be spared all pain and strife, Might never know adversity or what it was to lose The father, who would purchase them those little busted shoes. I knew their thoughts in retrospect, flew o'er the western plain. To their patient wives and little ones they might not see again. And I knew the violet splendor of the hills whereon they roam, Was mingling with the unshed tears for little ones at home. Not a single jest was ventured, not a word was spoken loud. As a flood of golden sunshine poured it's glory o'er the crowd. Could an old and master painter touched his palette's varied hues, He'd have gathered inspiration from those little busted shoes. I said they were not bad men, and I mean just what I say, And I hope that I may meet them all upon some future day, May meet them where no memories may conjure up the blues, With their little ones around them wearing little busted shoes. AND OTHKR STORIES 95 I closed the lid and locked it, hardly knowing what I did, But each seemed to breathe the freer when those little shoes were hid: Some one said "let's irrigate," each to the bar drew near. And seemingly each hand went up to dash away a tear. The glasses clinked, adown the bar the bottle passed along. And "Big Ed Burns" proposed that we should have a toast or song, But after each had filled his glass with "Old Mc- brayer Booze," We drank to wives and children and those little busted shoes. CrKEde Camp, Colorado, March 8, 1892. 96 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PLANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 97 TEN MILE OR BUST. A IvONG WAY AFTER LONGFEEEOW. |"^*'/HK shades of eve were falling fast, As up through I^eadville village passed, A "Mick" who bore through mud and vice, A hickor>' shirt, with this device, "Ten mile or bust." His hat was slouched, he'd one cock eye, That "piped off" every passer-by. The bootblack shouted "have a shine?" The "Mick" replied, "111 hunt a mine," "Ten mile or bust." Beware the pine tree's withered branch. Beware a "deadfall ', called Chalk Ranch, Was "Hoodoo Brown's," last good night, The "Mick" replied, far up the height, "Ten ir.ile or bust.' 98 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER The dance house girl said, "stay and try A Httle glass of Dance House Rye, I'll be your Darling Dear Gazelle." The "Mick" replied, ' Oh go to —well," "Ten mile or bust." Next morning as the "Ten mile stage," Was going up the "Narrow Guage" A hickory shirt hung on a rail. With these words painted on the tail, "Ten mile or bust." AND OTHER STORIES. 99 Buy Roger! Why, stranger, jer crazy, Yer a little bit off yer kerbase ; That dog is a regular dais}^ He's got the first place in the race. He's travelled the kentry all over, From Dodge City down to the sea. An' thar ain't enough dust in 3'er trousers To purchase old Roger from me. Do ye know what he done? Well, I'll tell )er, What, drink! I don't care if I do. Straight pizen (here's how), but to sell yer My dog, that's too cursed bran new. XJ JIM MAKSHAL,!. S NEW PIANNER When Big Kd Silk, that was my pardiier, Was runnin' a place in the mines, An' grubbin' like blazes to keep up His end, in some cursed hard times ; We'd bin up all night in the dance hall, An' closed up the shanty all hunk. We'd took our last "ball" in the mornin' An' each tumbled into his bunk ; We'd forgot all our joy and our sorrow. Each was snoozin' as sweet as a lamb, Not a thinkin' of trouble to-morrow. An' none on us carin' a d — n; When a racket wuz raised in the castle, As if all the devils in hell Had thundered around tlie old Bastile, And dropped in upon us, pell mell; But I was so sleepy fromboozin',— For the licker'd got into my head, That I couldn t be woke from ni}^ snoozin' Till Roger .sprung onto the bed. With a yell like the scream of a human He tore off the clothes with a roar, An" nailin' me right by the collar He tumbled me on the floor. I grabbed for my shooter — confound me, I staggered. Ole man, I'm no liar, The roof an' the walls all around me War blazin' with seethin' red fire. AND OTHER STORIES. lOI With a howl (like a wounded hyena) He sprang through a hole iu the wall, An' I followed blindly behind him, Each minnit' expectin' to fall. Right thro' where the smoke was the thickest, Barkin' loudly the whole of the way, Went Roger; I'll never forget it. If I live till the great judgment day. We'd just cleared the front, I an' Roger, When ia fell the roof with a crash, That sounded as if "Hell's half acre'' Had tumbled upon us kermash; An' Roger was prancin' around me. With a look just ez much as to say, " Ole man, if I hadn't hev found ye. The turn would come Jack Box, to-day." Since then we've been pardners together, Some days we get wheat, and some chaff, But whether its chicken or feathers. Old Roger's entitled to half. Ask Batt Masterson or Jean Johnson If " Roge " knows the lay of the land. He can find ev'ry Appache Tepee, From Tombstone to the Rio Grande. An' if ' ' tenderfoot ' ' should abuse Roger When one of " the gang " is in sight. Take my word for it, stranger, that codger Had better get ready to fight. Not a place from the worst to the finest, I02 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER A hotel, a shanty, or ranche, From the San Juan down to Guynias, But Roger hez got a carte blcDiche. I've seen many friends in my travels, Some friends whom the world would call game, But the friendship of my old dog Roger Vv^ould put all the others to shame. They weaken when sorrow and trouble Comes on you — they are not true blue. But, stranger, right thar is a pardner Who'll stick through it all staunch an' true. vSo put up yer " leather " thar, Ole Man, An' hoist in some licker with me. I've prospected from Butte, Montana, Plum down thro' to old Santa Fe, An' thar ain't a man in the whole kentry, No matter how much he would give, Could purchase my dog thar, old Roger, (Here's to 3'er) as long as I live. AND OTHER STORIES. 103 AN oij) gambler's soliloquy on a dirty card. Mud-Stained and torn, iipou the sidewalk lying-, Stripped of the beauty of your regal parts, Yet still the old whirl of fortune's wheel defying, I find this morn the tattered queen of hearts. I04 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER Where now (I wonder) are your old companions, The fifty-one inseparable friends — In beer saloons, or Rocky Mountain canons, At sea, or at the earth's remotest ends? Like Israel's tribe, they're tossed about and scat- tered. Even the very kings might prove unclean. But you, old queen of hearts, tho' mud-bespattered. Every moment prove yourself a queen. Who knows but sometimes jeweled fingers shuffled The pack in which you held a solid place; Who knows what placid tempers j^ou have ruffled At whist, b}^ trumping an obtrusive ace. And when the higher honors all were hoarded. And you were queen indeed of all the pack, How proudly did you take the last trick boarded, How like a woman did you win the Jack! And then, how fondly was your face regarded By him who first beheld the crimson blush Of you, when he had doubtingly discarded A spade, and drawn to hearts to "fill a flush." And then, they say that cards are Evil's marrow, And card players sometimes commit a sin. But you, old girl — yes, you, when turned to faro. You sometimes caused "stack of blues" to win. I might recall the evenings blithe and merry We passed beneath the sparkling chandelier; You plaj^ed high up with rouge et noir and sherry, But you drooped at last to pinochle and beer. AND OTHER STORIES. 105 And then, ah! well, no sermon need I utter, Enough to know you lost your winning arts, And poor and helpless sank into the gutter lyike many other luckless queen of hearts. A TRAGEDY. IN ONE ACT. THE Spring poet entered the sanchitn. He prated of flowers and doves, The editor, toyed with the dumb bells, And fondled the boxing gloves. The "Devil" unchained the yaller dog, The "compositor" loaded the gun, The casket cost fifteen dollars And the funeral occurs at one. 106 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNKR (( AND OTHER STORIES I07 THAT BEAUTIFUL SNOW. A PARODY. H the snow, that beautiful snow," That flies in your face, wherever you go, That's twisted and whirled in some ' ' dizzy ' ' old street Till it blinds your poor eyes and freezes 3'our feet. It's all very fine, that " beautiful snow," If you've cash in your pocket and somewhere to go. But the poet was born in summer, I know. That finds something pretty in " beautiful snow." " Beautiful," is it? Humph ! " Beautiful snow," When " it falls on a sinner, nowhere to go." It seems to me. now (I'm a practical man, I'm no love-sick damsel or innocent lamb. Therefore I cannot be expected, you know. To stand on my head about " beautiful snow ") — It seems to me, now, that this sucker should go And bury himself in his " beautiful snow." " Beautiful " is it, eh? — " beautiful snow," The thermometer just ten degrees below. Your overcoat " hocked," not a cent in your "kick,'' And " beautiful snow " till you can't see a brick io8 JIM marshaIvL's new pianner In the sidewalks, around in some ' ' tart ' ' country town, And that " beautiful snow " is still coming down. Why, if I had a room with a fire all aglow, I could envy the ' ' crank ' ' who wrote ' ' Beautiful Snow. ' ' " Beautiful snow from the heaven above, Pure as an angel, gentle as love." I wish they would keep it in heaven, not throw vSo much down on earth of that " beautiful snow." Gentle as love ? how can they say so; See how it sticks, it never will go. March, April and May may come and may go, And still we'll be blessed with d d "beautiful snow." 'mmi'H v,.^,..yiMi&-'- AND OTHER STORIES. 109 «« JEFF AND JOE." A TRUE INCIDENT OF CREEDE CAMP, COLORADO. NOWED Joe Simmons? Course I did. Knowed him 'fore he up an' sUd 'Cross the range that blustery day. Did he slide ? Well I should say ! Not the way you mean it, though, Up the hill we toted Joe, An' we laid him neath the rocks. Death had called the turn, " Jack Box." 'Fore he cashed in Jeff Smith come, Asked if nothin" could be done. Jeff, yer see, thought well of Joe — Knowed him thirty years or so, no JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER Pal'd together down below. Joe liked Jeff and Jeff liked Joe, An' through all the changin' years, Sheered each other's smiles and tears. "Worked together, tooth and nail, Punchin' cattle up the trail ; Dealt the old thing; tackled bluff; Each one blowed the other's stuff, An' when one got in the hole, T'other just dug up the roll. So the gang all come to know Joe liked Jeff an' Jeff liked Joe. When the big excitement came Every man that played a game, Square or sure, that could succeed. Packed his grip and went to Creede. Gamblers, miners, suckers, marks, Spieler, niacers, bunco sharks, Men of money, men of greed — Every one fetched up in Creede. An' with all this human show To the front came Jeff and Joe, Opened up the " Orleans Club," Slept on tables, cooked their grub. An' commenced to " cop the dough,'' Till old Death showed up for Joe. Jeff dropped in to see the end Of his staunch old pal an' friend. For, yer see, he wished to know The last wishes of poor Joe. AND OTHER STORIES. " Hallo, Joe, yer gainin' ground," Jeff remarked, a lookin' round, But Joe answered : ' ' Yes, the change Soon' 11 take me 'cross the range. But, old pal, before I go Just you answer, 5'es or no, If I ever throwed a friend, Didn t I stay to the end Through the toughest of the tough? Did I ever take a bluff ? Did I, through my whole life long. Ever do a friend a wrong ? Ever treat a poor cuss mean ? Haint I anteed my last bean ? Can you show me airy place Where I weakened in the race ? Tell me, Jeff — my race is run. ' And Jeff answered: " Nary one." " Well,'' said Joe, " I m glad of that; It comes easy to stand pat. When 5^ou know that you ve done right. Even Death itself looks bright. So, old bo3% don't preach or pray; Keep the gospel sharks away — It's no use to call them late Just to boost me through the gate. IvCt the boys just gather 'round When I am planted in the ground. From each bottle knock the neck, Fill each glass with Pommery Sec; 112 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANM:*.! Let each staunch friend drink this toast: ' Here's to old Joe Simmons' ghost !' In hereafter, if there be Such a place for 3'ou and me, lyct the gang, all hand in hand, A Jol^Yj good an' jovial band, Open out, an' all in line. Sing together ' Auld Lang Syne.' " Jeff said: " Joe, it shall be done." And Joe answered: "Let her come !" Ma^^be 3'ou don't think that we Kept in all sincerity Jeff's last promise to poor Joe ! Up the hill through blinding snow Came the wagon with the box. Up the mountain, 'round the rocks, John Keneavy, Hugh Mohan An' old boy Jeff led the van; Up the mountain, through the snow, Till they reached the grave of Joe. There, with heads uncovered all, Jeff Smith opened up the ball An' asked if anybody there Could say Joe Simmons wasn't square, Or ever yet a wrong had done To friend. All answered: " Nary one." " Well," Jeff replied, "This is the end Of old Joe Simmons, my best friend. I promised him I'd do my best. An' with the gang lay him to rest. AND OTHER STORIES. 113 Now fill your glasses, fall in line, An' sing ' The Days of Auld Lang Syne.' '' They drank an' sang. The pure white snow Fell softly on the grave of Joe. '^^^m iAG'!^ a-^y'wi^ An' as for Jeff — well, I may say. No better man exists to-day. I don' t mean good the way you do — No, not religious — only true. True to himself, true to his friend; Don't quit or weaken to the end. An' I can swear, if any can, That Jeff will help his fellow man. An' here I thank him — do 3'ou see ? ]?or kindness he has shown to me. 114 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER All' this I'll say, when all is o'er, An' Jeff has crossed to t'other shore, I only hope that you and me May stand as good a chance as he. The big Book says — that is I think It says — that ' ' whoso giveth drink And food to even one of these," The Saviour he is sure to please. An' sky-pilots say this is so, But then, of course, I do not know That either they or I can learn A sinner how to call the turn. But this I do know, every time, (An' you can bet I'm dead in line,) That whoso giveth up his pelf For charity will please himself. I've heard it said, time and agin, That charity can cover sin. But then, of course, I do not know If this applies to Jeff an' Joe. I know that I'm a wicked chap Of course, an' I don't care a rap About these Christians — do you see ? — That's catalogued as " Pharisee," Or who repent on the last day, Then get their wings and soar away. I'd rather (if I was allowed) Fall in with the poor sinners' crowd. I am not stvick on those that teach, Or who don't practice what they preach. AND OTHER STORIKS. II5 No man can tell me where 1 11 go When I cash in my checks, and so I know that I am prone to sin But when I*m called on to cash in I hope I'll have an equal show With sinners just like Jeff an' Joe. Creede Camp, Colorado, March 27th, 1892. ri6 JIM MARSHALL'S XEW PIANNER V '" P. O. E. AND OTHER STORIKS. II 7 B. P. 0. E. B. P. O. E. , what a great world of meaning Contained in these letters, to each one who knows The power of affection, the great depth of feeling, The good to the world, which these trifles disclose. How they shed the sunshine through the invalid's window. They comfort the mother, the sister and wife, And soften the grief of the widow and orphan. Who seem to have given up more than their life. B. P. O. E., who is there that's not welcome To join in their sports, at reception or ball, And who has not met a beneficent greeting. At the Sunday night socials within their old hall ? Who (ere he went home in the grey of the morning) Has stood 'round the room in that glittering line. And — cordially grasping the hand of a brother. Has echo'd the chorus of dear "Auld Eang Syne ?" B. P. O. E., who has stood in the circle With glass in his hand, in that stately old hall. And tossed oflf a bumper "To Our Absent Brothers, ' ' But felt that (in spirit) he was with them all, That the souls of the dear ones we love most to honor, Il8 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER The absent ones, far o'er the billowy sea, The sister, or wife of some dear absent brother, Was blessing that talisnien, B. P. O. E. B. P. O. E., a bright halo of glory Surrounds the Elk Antlers, thy escutcheon's claim, And the deeds of thy brothers are echo'd in story, From the Pacific slope to the old State of Maine, Wherever the weary, the poor, or afflicted. Have stretched forth a hand, thou wert ever found near. To assuage the deep grief of the widow and orphan. To soften the heart, and to chasten the tear. B. P. O. E. , all the world must applaud you, And honor the precept that leads in the van. Be upright and noble, no power can withstand you, You represent love to your dear brother man. And when each shall pass o'er the dark blue y^gean, And stand on the shores of yon shimmering sea, May the grandest of epitaphs brighten his record, Those Hieroglyphics B. P. O. and E. And other stories. 119 CHARITY, JUSTICE, BROTHERLY LOVE AND FIDELITY. From East to West, from North to South, we gather Our loyalty to prove To sister, mother, brother, and to father, A harbinger of lyove. And meeting here within this hall, this evening, Abroad we send To all mankind, upon the morrow greeting, A Brother and a Friend. What recks us if the Kings and Queens now reigning Make pride their boast; What recks us if the tyrant. Love disdaining, Leans on His host. Though all the world, with pride so unrelenting, Lead in the van, We stand within this Circle, representing Man's Brotherhood to Man. With Charity to all, go tell the story Throughout the world, I20 JIM MARSHALL S NEW PIANNER That pride of birth , power, wealth, deceit, vainglory, To nothingness are hurled, We take cognizance of no man's position; Our only school To gauge the worth of pauper, or patrician, Is the Golden Rule. And Justice, that blind Goddess, like no other. She rules our land, Decrees that all the faults of our weak brothers, Be written on the sand. Their virtues ineffacably written On the page of memory, Comes to us like the silver sheen of moonlight Aslant a summer sea. Brotherly Love ! Ah, what a recollection, It brings to all A grand, far-reaching wealth of pure affection Holds us in thrall. Fill high the glass, while "Auld Lang Syne " we're singing. In roundelay; And let the toast up to the roof go ringing: " Our brothers far away.'' Fidelity embraces all the others; If each one knew And practised that fidelity to others. Staunch, firm and true. This world would be the better for it, surely We'd all be just, And in each station that we fill so poorly. We'd rule in trust. AND OTHER STORIES. 121 And, Brother, when you leave a Lodge of Sorrow, With aching heart, And go again within the world to-morrow, To play a part, Take each with him unto his Httle haven. In cot or hall, By memory on each faithful heart engraven: ' ' lyove conquers all. " And thou, poor mother, for a lost Elk weeping. By sad Atlantic laid. Or distant Sacramento, wildly leaping. Beneath its orange shade, Lament him not, no love can make immortal The span of life; And never hero entered heavenly portal From grander strife. And glories greater than heraldic splendors His house may claim. When Charity shall speak of her defenders She'll breathe his name. 122 JIM MARSH AI^L's NEW PLANNER AND OTHER STORIES. 123 A CASE EQUAL. PARSON and Gambler got in a tangle on the increase of crime, and how souls could be wrecked, gt^l^ While "The Man Up a Tree" didn't mix in the wrangle, but listened, and thought about cause and effect. Each one seemed wrapped up in his own small dominion, and neither the other's shortcomings could see, And each one was righteous, in his own opinion; At least so it looked to "The Man Up a Tree." "You admit," said the parson, " that gambling is vicious, that it leads to suicide, lying and vice. That playing at cards is at all times pernicious; that its ultimatum by no means is nice. While true Christianity, pure and undying, enno- bles the earth with its lesson of love, And all its disciples, with each other vying, befitting themselves for the mansions above." "Yes, true Christianity, on the dead levels a mighty good game when its plaj^ed on the .square, But once in a while 3'ou will find that the devil en- sconses himself in the 'lyookout's high chair,' 124 JIM MARSHAI^L'S NEW MANNER The barefooted Saviour in charity's labour, I alwaj'S admired for his hatred of pelf, And this nice little game about loving your neigh- bor, why don't you ' stand pat ' on that, Par- son, yourself?" " I do," said the parson, " I do love my neighbor ; I preach the good tidings that God is all love ; I send it abroad by my own loving labor, as Noah from the ark sent the carrier dove, ' Be kindly intentioned one toward another with brotherly love ' is my favorite text. And ' love one another,' we do this, my brother, no matter how sorely our souls may be vexed." ' ' Of course ' Old John Rogers ' was burned for affection and 'Old Michael Servitus ' killed just for love, While ' Joan of Arc ' was another selection in 'paving your way to the mansions above.' 'John Wycliffe,' 'JohnHuss,' and poor old 'Sara Dyer,' and 'Scotland's young queen ' was ac- cursed by ' John Knox, ' And those ' Salem witches ' you burned with slow fire — pray was it for love that their turn came 'Jack-Box?' " " Oh, well," said the parson, " mistakes injudicious are made in all lands, in old age and in youth." "I know,'" said the gambler, " but it is pernicious to 'copper the turn, ' that is known as plain truth, Don't play 'single out' — give each man his opinion; in each of our paths there's a big stumbling block A.ND OTHER STORIES. 1 25 But truth soars above us, ou shadowy pinions, so let's play it out, right from ' soda to hoc' We're each of us gamblers, while I may play poker, and you have your Bible, your sermon and 'guff,' I may win my money by ' hiding the joker,' while on human defects you can ' get in your bluff.' We're both non-producers, and instead of giving a thing to this world it is our little plan To calculate how we can each make a living upon the defects of our dear brother man. This world is a good one, my dear Christian brother, if every man does what he thinks is just right. All men are created to prey on each other, and no man should stand in another man's light; Of God's holy love, of the Christian's bright heaven, you claim to know all of these good things you teach , While I am imbued with a little weak leaven, and only can practice just what I can preach." And each went his way on his life's little mission; to ' ' the man up a tree ' ' they were both lost to sight. Who mused o'er the basis of each proposition ; and thought that both Parson and Gambler were right. If each one in this world would " love one another," and neither the other's short-comings could see, 'Twould all be ' ' case equal ' ' to man and his brother — at least so it looks to ' ' the man up a tree. ' ' 126 JIM MARSHALL S NEW PIANNER OH, WAT T' 'ELL PPETITE SAM. Not wuth a dam, N the gang said, " Better be dead." Alius 'd shirk All kinds of work. Regular snooze, Punishin' booze; But, I don "no, Might git a show, Never can tell Oh! wat t' 'ell. Thro' every camp. All. called him scamp, Duffer 'n cheat. Dead on the beat: Not a good word Ever was heard From any man 'Bout Appetite Sam. Old ne'er do well. Oh, wat t' ell. AND OTHER STORIES. 127 Once an ole sport, Of the right sort — Daniels, by name, Fly 'n dead game — Dropped on the street, Used up, dead beat; Sam took him home. Nursed him alone, Treated him well. Oh, wat t' 'ell. Toted 'm 'round, Where one was found, You'd see the other, Just like a brother. Tom Daniels knew Sam was true blue; Nursed him for years, Shared all his tears. 'N wen Tom died, vSam only cried, Buried him well. Oh, wat t' 'ell. Sam can be found Wanderin" 'round, Silent, alone. No friend, no home; Walkin' the street. Called a ' ' dead beat, ' ' "Stiff," ''■ Ne'er do well," Oh, wat t' 'ell. 128 JIM MARSHALL'S NEW PIANNER Mebbe, some day, Who '11 dare to say, Wen the Great One Asks wat we've done; Wen Pharisees, Thicker 'n bees. Tell of good deeds. Boast of their creeds. Appetite Sam Says, " Here I am. Played out, no good, Did best I could." Will it be well ? Oh, wat t' 'ell. AND OTHER STORIES. 129 SPOKANE. RADLED midst the beryled hills, Musical with gushing rills, Midway in the Cascade's span In her beauty lies Spokane; Nature ne'er vouchsafed to one Product of our Washington, Town or city, known to man, Blessings that she did Spokane. Speeds the river's silver sheen, Onward from the Cceur d'Alene, Wildly dashing o'er the span Called the falls of Mad Spokane; Rushing, gushing, surging wild, Fearless, pure and undefiled. Dashing, flashing everywhere, Playing, spraying here and there; Whirling, pearling, hurtling. Foamy froth encircling. Roaring, pouring, tumbling down, Racing, chasing thro' the town. 130 JIM MARSHAT^L'S new PIANNER. Spurning e'en its rocky ban, Dancing, prancing, wild Spokane. Here the hardy pioneer Greets you with a hearty cheer, Welcoming the coming man To a home in sweet Spokane. Here the Siwash — nature's child — All untutored, free and wild, Wonderingly views each plan To embellish sweet Spokane. Specimens from everywhere. Old and young, false, fair and square, Miner, blacksmith, partisan, Products cosmopolitan ; Here a banker in his bank, Here a sage and there a crank, All a jumble, rush and jam, There you have it — that's Spokane. ii-ii^''