The Preacher of Cedar Mountain: A Tale of the Open Country
Page 48
CHAPTER XLVII
Back to Deadwood
Two days later Jim and Belle were again on the Deadwood trail. It seemedthat each new chapter of their lives must begin on that trail. They werein a new buckboard, the gift of Pa Boyd, driving Midnight in harness.That same morning Charlie Bylow had left for Deadwood with his team andwagon. The latter was loaded with gifts from Cedar Mountain friends,some of them sufficiently absurd--for example, framed chromos, a parrotcage, a home instructor in Spanish, and a self-rocking cradle--but therewas also a simple sufficiency of household furniture.
The buckboard overtook the wagon in the morning and arrived at Deadwoodby one o'clock. Jim was for going to the hotel and dining, but Bellethought it better to see the estate agent first, and within half an hourthey had deposited the first month's rent for the white cottage. Strangeto tell, though the cottage had stood empty and uncalled for during theprevious six months, there were two other applications on the afternoonthat the Hartigans secured their lease.
Their furniture arrived late in the day, and those who have watchednewly-mated birds carry the sticks and straw of their first nest, willunderstand the joy experienced by Belle and Jim in planning, arranging,and rearranging this first home. Whether it is larger bliss to carrysticks or to bill and coo cannot be guessed, and perhaps it does notmatter, for every stone in the perfect arch is bearing all the arch. Thefirst night in their own--their very own--home, with no one butthemselves, was a sweet contentment for the time and a precious memoryafterward. As they sat hand in hand looking from the little window downthe valley, where the golden west was blocked by the high, dark hill,they knew calm for the first time after many days of tempest, and Jim'sfervent soul found words in the ancient text: "Truly the light is sweet;and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun."
A very blessed thing is the sunrise on Deadwood. It means far more thanin most towns, for the shut-in-ness of the gulch makes night so verynight-like, and the gloom is king till the radiant one mounts to floodthe place with a sudden sunrise--a little late, perhaps, but a specialsunrise for the town.
It was their first real breakfast together. Jim rose and lighted thefire in the stove. Belle made the coffee and fried the eggs. It was alltheir own and there is something about such a breakfast that gives itthe nature of a sacrament, with youth and health, beauty and love,assembled to assist, and a special angel of happiness to bless it withhis shining eyes.
As their talk turned to future plans, Jim's idea was to settle down,find quarters for Midnight, then visit the Salvation Army barracks andwait in the crowd till an opportunity to speak should occur. After thathe had no doubt his pulpit eloquence would open a way to secure anappointment.
Belle's idea was totally different. "No, Jim, that won't do. If we enterthe town by the back door we'll always be back-door folk. I propose tocome in by the front way, and have a red carpet and a triumphal arch forour entry. Don't do anything until I have tried a plan of mine.Meanwhile, you look after Midnight."
Jim's curiosity was very large, but he smiled and asked no questions,and Belle set out for a visit to Uncle Collins. "It has to be done justright," she explained to that gentleman after an elaboration of heridea. Belle knew instinctively that all their fate in Deadwood wouldturn on the colour of their coming. Uncle Collins entered wholeheartedlyinto the plan and that week, much to Jim's amazement, the local presscame out with a column article:
DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS IN DEADWOOD
Our townsfolk are to be congratulated on the latest increase to our population. The Rev. James Hartigan and his beautiful bride, formerly Miss Boyd, of Cedar Mountain, have yielded to the call of Deadwood and decided to make their home in the mining capital of Dakota. They have taken the White Cottage on Southview Avenue (Muggins & Mawlins Real Estate Company) and will be at home Friday afternoon.
Dr. Hartigan was educated at Coulter College, Ontario, and won his spurs long ago as a pulpit orator. While devoting his life to the ministry, he is also a man of means and is likely to make important investments in Deadwood as favourable opportunities present themselves. In fact, it was largely the need of such opportunity that led to the selection of Deadwood as his future home.
We are proud of the tribute to our promise as a town, and the distinguished couple will find us ready to greet them with a hearty welcome.
Jim laughed joyously as he read it in the paper next day. "Sure, Belle,every word of it is true and everything it leaves you believing is alie. I never knew how far astray you could put folk by telling thesimple truth."
One or two meetings in the street and a few observations from AuntCollins, led Belle to expect some callers on Friday afternoon, but shenever dreamed of the reception that did take place. Fortunately she hadnotice, an hour before, to treble the amount of tea provided; then, in aflash, a great idea entered her head.
"Jim," she said, "this is going to be a very important event in ourlives, we are going to meet some people to-day who will shape all ourfuture. There will be men of business here and men high in the churches;they will be sure to make you some sort of an offer, many offers ofdifferent kinds. Encourage them, don't turn any of them down; but don'tdefinitely accept any of them. Now promise, Jim, you won't accept any ofthem."
"I wouldn't dare," said Jim, "after this"--and he held up the localpaper with a grin. "I'm in the hands of my manager."
It was well for him that he agreed. Mrs. Collins was there toassist--beaming with pride. Uncle Collins came late and looked bored anduncomfortable. Belle was in her glory. She was of that delicate typewhich changes much with varying circumstance, and now she seemedradiantly beautiful. All the guests that day agreed that they were farand away the handsomest couple that had ever come to Deadwood, andsurely they should have known, for all Deadwood came. The mayor camebecause he felt a fatherly interest in the couple he had married; andbesides, they were an important accession to the population. "Hartigan,"he began, "If I had your money I'd make a deal with the NorthernPacific. I tell you their new president is a live wire. He's ready toclose on any good idea," etc., etc. The ministers came because they hadheard of Dr. Hartigan's accomplishments and wished to pay theirrespects; and Dr. Hooper, of the Congregationalists, said he would beglad if Dr. Hartigan would occupy his pulpit the coming Sunday. The Rev.Dr. Mackenzie, of the Presbyterian Church, offered his pulpit; and sodid the Rev. Dr. Jowley, of the Evangelicals. To all of these Jim madegracious and happy replies, deferring definite answer until he should beable to consult his date book and complete certain other arrangements.
The Presbyterian also took the opportunity of privately whispering toDr. Hartigan that he, Dr. Mackenzie, had "just discovered a rarebusiness opportunity--a whole block of staked and patented gold claimson the same lead as the 'Homestake'; the owner was compelled to sell outowing to family troubles, and would take ten thousand dollars cash for49 per cent. of the stock--an absolute certainty of a million within ayear! Dr. Mackenzie would turn over this unique and dazzling opportunityto Dr. Hartigan for the modest sum of one thousand dollars, which wasless than 10 per cent., if expenses were included...." and so on, atmuch length.
The head of the Bar-Bell Ranch called because he had heard of the famousracer, Blazing Star, that was bred in the Hartigan stables, and he wouldlike Dr. Hartigan to visit him and see his horses.
The insurance companies also were represented, and Bob Davidson--hedeclined at all times the "Mr."--managed to get in a word privately tothe effect that he hoped that the Reverend Hartigan would make nobusiness alliance until he had been to the Davidson office and seen thepossibilities of one or two little schemes that needed "only a verylittle capital to pay----"
The reception lasted three hours and the account of it in the paper nextday covered several columns. The impression it left on Jim was pleasing,but confusing. The single immediate and pleasant result was when thelocal lumberman, learning that Hartigan wished to erect a stable for hisown
team, volunteered to send round one thousand feet of the specialsiding, of which he was exclusive agent, together with the necessaryamount of tar paper, on condition that the stable should bear thesignboard:
------------------------------------- | SQUELCHE'S SPECIAL MATCHED SIDING | | JOHN JOHNSON, SOLE AGENT | -------------------------------------
So the siding came and Jim built the stable with his own hands andgloried in every nail as he drove it. Midnight was thereupon withdrawnfrom a livery stable and installed with due pride and pomp.