TALES OF TRAIL AND TOWN 

THE ANCESTORS OF PETER ATHERLY 

CHAPTER I 

It must be admitted that the civilizing processes of Rough and
Ready were not marked by any of the ameliorating conditions of
other improved camps.  After the discovery of the famous "Eureka"
lead, there was the usual influx of gamblers and saloon-keepers;
but that was accepted as a matter of course.  But it was thought
hard that, after a church was built and a new school erected, it
should suddenly be found necessary to have doors that locked,
instead of standing shamelessly open to the criticism and
temptation of wayfarers, or that portable property could no longer
be left out at night in the old fond reliance on universal
brotherhood.  The habit of borrowing was stopped with the
introduction of more money into the camp, and the establishment of
rates of interest; the poorer people either took what they wanted,