New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-08-17
THE GENI OF THE GOLD MINES.
HY 7. H. wHIPPI.E.

- A-A1'
Can dig peace wisdom from the mineo
Wisdom to gold prefer for it's much less
To make our fortune, than our happness.'' YOUNG
David Winters sat by the fireside one cold
clustering night. His armchair was drawn
up within a few feet Of the cracking wood fire.
and he felt in very comfortable drowsy, con-
tenlplative mood. -.-
What cared he if the wind did shake the case
ment and rattle the doors. as though it would
break through into his snug parlor. He only
gazed complacently around upon the comforts BILE
arrangements of his freside, and relapsed into o
fit of nlusing. Mr. Winters was not what one
might call rich in this worlds goods. He had
his comfortable house. few acres of good tilla-
bic land good barn. well filled with live stock, a
smart sprinkling of hens. ducks and geese and
he had another thing, which he priced as of far
greater value than all the rest, agood wife, and
two children-a boy and q girl My reader
will. perhaps say, learning this, is he not con-
tent with his lot can he wish for any greater
riches
am very sorry to say, dear reader, that he
was not. He was blessed with health in his
family, a loving spouse, and an easy, independ-
ent life, yet he was not satisfied Some of his
neighbors had been to the land of gold, and re-
turned with we'll filled purses He had taken
the Infection and wanted to visit that land him
self. Visions Of &c mountains of gold, gold dust
and golden ingots filled his BRAIN
Mary, his wife, sat on the opposite side of the
hearth, turning her spinning wheel, and con-
verting the shining fax into tough thread which
in turn was to be converted into garments for
David Winters, .jr., who was at that time en-
ioying himself in 4 delicious sleep beside his
mother.
Mary said Mr. Winters, suddenly break
ing the silence, and striking his open hand upon
his knee, as if he had an idea in his head-a
singular idea Mary, do you know what
was just thinking OFF,
La, me, David, no. How should know,
unless you were thinking how much more wood
it would take to melt the Old
'Pshaw, Mary nonsense broke in David
not waiting for her conclusion-'s was Just
thinking how much money, how much gold
would satisfy me-
'Gracious David, what man you are !
Have mt you got everything comfortable around
you; everything nice and conyenient' and can't
you be satisfied Well, how much did you
think would make you contented %
&c l thought. Mary, that if | had all could
place in the half bushel measure. would be
nearly satisfied; and, that if had all could
put in this room, should be perfectly salts
fed =
$ Dear me! what an avaricious man you are,
David You'll never be contented, I'm afraid,
if nothing less will satisfy your craving for
wealth l heard you tell Mr.. Wilson, to-day,
that you had made up your mind to go to Cali
fornia. You was not in sober earnest Uas you,
husband: Oh know you was mt How could
you leave little David, Jennette and | %
A tear trembled in the good woman's eye and
the hand that guided the faxed thread shook
nervously, She tangled the yarn around the
spindle-her hands then fell oher side, and her
head sank upon her bosom
son don't cry, Mary said David, almost
relenting his ambition. ssWhen | come back
with II heap of money, you will be as glad to
help to dispose Of it as anybody. Don't cry,
Maryn'
An hour passed, and the old clock recorded it
in its musical chimes. Mrs. Winters had re-
| sumeC her spinning, and David sat in his chair
almost asleep. The wheel buzzed merrily, the
fire cracked cheerily. the old cat upon the
hearth stretched herself lazily, and Dayid's eye
lids almost closed together.
| AS he sat there gazing into the bright fire.
| upon the glowing coals--he saw slight move
ment among them, and little fellow, all covered
with dust and ashes, leaped out on the heartl
and shook himself When Dayid's eye first dis
covered him he was not certainly bigger tnal
mans thumb, and might have been mistake,
| for 4 coal OF fire, he was so red in the face
| Gradually, he seemed to expand in form ant
limb, until his figure could hardly stand be
meath the ceiling of the room. As the figure i'll
| creased i'll size his face grew redder and redder
until it grew warm around him, and David fell
uucomfortably warm. lie did not feel at al
alarmed in the presence of the giant crea.
ture, but involuntarily inquired who he was.
Lam the Gen1 ot the Goid Mines" said
he, looking upon David with his great yellow
eyes 6 | am the spirit of the mines, and have
it i'll my power to make you rich. | can show
| I nil trao ospraI tpap
how to gain immense quantities OF gold
& And what do you require OF men in return
for this information !: =" said Mr.. Winters.
g | only require that they should give me full
sway over their bodies and souls-give them
selves entirely to my service the remainder OF
their lives When | call, they must answer
when | command, the. must obey; and when
death summons them hence, their souls are de-
livered up to my guardianship.
much and in the end gain nothing. Show me the
treasure, sir, and ri comply with your stipula
tions Give me gold galore and I'll serve you
through life, and make over to you Il quit claim
deed Of my spirit after death >
A smile curled the red Gcnii's lip, and he i'm.
mediately disappeared in the Goals from whence
he came David sat by the fire some minutes
; impatiently awaiting the return of the Genii
He had almost persuaded himself that it wa:
all dream, ana that the denn would never
return, when beautiful girl appeared before
him, as if by magic, with golden hair and th
deepest blue eyes; the pearliest teeth and tn
most bewitching little smile that he ever saw
She opened her ruby lips, and. in a mellow
flute like voice. that thrilled to his very heart
said:
Mortal, you see before you n servant of tn
Genii of the Mines. | am called Flora. | an
sent to conduct you to the presence Of IN.
lmaster -