Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-08-17
Sketches Of the West.
THE GOLD MINE.

city vi tie west was thriving village win log
cabins and hard cider in abundance, tall, thin
vlsaged mortal rode miserable apology for a
horse through the principal street and stopped at
the sign OF the "Chained Bear" on Water street.
lie was original in every respect. His COON
skin cap was drawn over his small gray eyes,
and his nut.dyed coat was buttoned up to his
chin, although the thermometer was high up in
The nineties. Buckskin inexpressibles orna-
mented a pair of legs which had doubtless done
the State some service in running down some
wild varmints, and his cowhide boots appeared
TO be made for the double purpose of projecting
his feet from the SHOWS of winter; and carving
water 10 extinguish fires Walking up to the
bar, the strange customer thus addressed the
landlord.
! "How much for my horse and me, landlord
-spose stay short time!"
"We charge SO much day for you, and so
much day for your horse" replied the concise
and intelligent keeper Of the 'Chained Bear
"All right know as we'll as if I'd winiered
you, and here LII drive my stakes. AS for black
Dick, he'll not trouble you much, old fellow
I've learnt him to live on short allowance
| When | started from the cross roads, | put a
| peck of corn behind my blanket, and told him
he must get along with it, 10 which he agreed,
but it didn't last, and he hasn't had crib for
two days--but no matter. just give me that green
bottle, landlord--Pm as dry as ra,ilesnake's
skim"
The re9-eye was furnished, and three doub-
looms ratified on the pine counter, drawn from
the moleskin purse of the stranger
"Now for some rib timber and spread, said
the out-and-outer, "and do you hear, landlord,
leave hole for me to get out Of early in the
morning, for I've got some mighty particular
| business on hand"
eyes sir--yes sir-your name is"-
"Bill Thompson, from Snake Creek-good
night"
The keeper Of the Chained Bear was at a
loss TO fix his customer, and racked his brain TO
divine the nature of the mighty periicular' bus
mess he had to transact the following day. The
! bar room loafers had their say-old Mrs. Know
all her guess-the knowing ones their thoughts
but all concluded it would be better to let old
Father Time reveal the future doings of Bill
Thompson from Snake Creek
| In the morning, the CUES! was missed, but he
made his appearance at the breakfast table, ap-
parenlly in very good humor with himself and
all the world After the repas, he inquired for
the residence OF the Rev. Mr. S, chem
| is. of good repu;e and sloped He soon stood
at the door of the scientific gentleman, and was
invited TO take seat in the parlor, by the afa-
bic and accomplished tenant.
"Haven'ttme stay, thank you---jus brought
some humps with ME found toiher day on a
patch of ground own, to see what it is" said
the apparently green 'un, at the same time pro-
ducing three or four small Jumps of metal
The professor carefully examined the Jumps
| and stepping into his labra,ory, soon returned
with an anxious expression of countenance
"You say you found these humps on your
farm?"
"Sartain--p picked 'em up. one day last week
after rhunderin' shower"
"Did you observe any similar pieces?"
"Didn'liake noiice--plen'y of'em spose---
the boys have got a lot"
"Well, sir, it is my duty TO tell you these
specimens are pure gold; but it is Singular
nay, impossible should think, that the precious
metal should have been found in such a state
of perfection"
"Don't know any thing about it, but Pm
mighty glad you say the Jumps are gold.
reckon can find bushel of EN-. Good morn
ing, sir"
OF course the news spread like wild fire
through the town, that an ignorant countryman
had gold mine on Snake Creek. The bar
room Of the Bear was ,hronged with anxious
purchasers. who resorled TO variety OF devices
to pull wool over the eyes of the unsophistica-
ted connryman. The Jumps passed through
the hands Of thousands---the knowing ones on
hearing Of the stranger, expressed doubts as TO
their qual;iy---olhers conlended they were cop
per, and not few pronounced them stone!
The excitement hourly increased--yarious of
fers were made for the Snake Creek farm---but
the owner did not appear the least disposed TO
sell. Five, ten, and twenty thousand dollars
were offered for land not worth hundred, but
the clodhopper was inilexible; he didn't care
about selling out his gold patch At last he
was offered by company Of enlerprising spec
ulaiors thirty thousand dollars for it, on the nail
on his assurance that ''ihe boys" had gathered
pile of similar looking Jumps. The bargain
was closed--the cash forked over.--the eager
purchasers shown the "gold patch"---but no
more lumps were foundi Men were employed |