American humor in which it now appears due
credit is given to Sam Davis, who was brought up in the same
atmosphere which gave life to the genius of Bret Harte and
Mark Twain. Mr. Davis was for several years editor of the
Virginia City _Enterprise_ and the Virginia City
_Chronicle_. He is now the State Comptroller of Nevada and
the proprietor and editor of the Carson _Appeal_.

"The First Piano in Camp," as here printed, is taken from
"Little Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor," edited by
Thomas L. Masson, and published by Doubleday, Page & Co.

In 1858--it might have been five years earlier or later; this is not a
history for the public schools--there was a little camp about ten miles
from Pioche, occupied by upward of three hundred miners, every one of whom
might have packed his prospecting implements and left for more inviting
fields any time before sunset.

When the day was over, these men did not rest from their labors, like
honest New England agriculturists, but sang, danced, gambled, and shot one
another, as the mood seized them.

One evening the report spread along the main street (which was the only
street) that three men had been killed at Silver Reef and that the bodies
were coming in. Presently a lumbering old conveyance labored up the hill,
drawn by a couple of horses well worn out with their pull. The cart
contained a good-sized box, and no sooner did its outlines become visible,
through the glimmer of a stray light, than it began to affect the idlers.

Death always enforces respect, and even though no one had caught sight of
the remains, the crowd gradually became subdued, and when the horses came
to a standstill the cart was immediately surrounded. The driver, however,
was not in the least impressed with the solemnity of his commission.

"All there?" asked one.

"Haven't examined. Guess so."

The driver filled his pipe and lighted it as he continued:

"Wish the bones and load had gone over the grade!"

A man who had been looking on stepped up to the teamster at once.

"I don't know who you have in that box, but if they happen to be any
friends of mine I'll lay you alongside."

"We can mighty soon see," said the teamster coolly. "Just burst the lid
off, and if they happen to be the men you want, I'm here."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and then the crowd gathered a
little closer, anticipating trouble.

"I believe that dead men are entitl