Tag Day at Silver Gulch

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When the Rev. John Asher and his pretty daughter, Ruth, arrived at Silver Gulch mining camp they were not greeted very cordially by the miners. However, the minister and Ruth were not discouraged. In the course of a few days a tent-church had been set up, but this didn't cause any falling off in attendance at the First Chance saloon. As the congregation didn't come to him, the minister decided to go to the congregation and began holding meetings outside of the saloon. Bill, one of the miners, finally enlisted in the cause, attracted probably by Ruth. It was determined to build a church. A "tag day" was set aside when all the inhabitants would be solicited to subscribe, each subscriber being decorated with a tag after making his contribution. Hearing of this, the miners painted a sign: "Notice: We ain't goin' to have no church. Buy a tag and git plugged." The Silver Gulchers weren't very swift to contribute because wearing a tag meant about the same as wearing a sign, "Please shoot me." Bill saw Ruth disappointed and downcast. So he bought the first tag, tied it on, pulled out his "shooting irons," walked into the midst of the miners and, before they knew it, had the ringleaders covered with his revolvers. But the minister appeared and put a stop to Bill's plan. Then he took off his coat and proceeded to give Hank, the ringleader, the licking of his life. After this little ceremony Hank showed that he was a true sport. He and Bill sold the tags like hot cages. If any man felt doubtful whether he needed a tag he was quickly "persuaded" that he just couldn't live without one. Of course, Bill became the minister's son-in-law.