Butte record., 1854-12-30
YELL, BUTTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 30,

long time at the woman, who still con-
tiusd her reading, and then silently ad-
vanced. She heard his step, and lifted
up her head, and looked in his face with
out saying word. Such face, so pale
SO agitated, l never in my lie saw.
"We shall go tomorrow" he said; II
have got some money as I expected"
And with these words he laid three gol-
den guineas on the table before her
Still she said nothing, but watched his
countenance with her lips apart.
'Tell ye what '' said Tom, "that's
the money. Is that the man :"
Il don't know yet, till l see his eyes,
In the meantime the conversation went
on below.
II borrowed these pieces from FRIEND
as if in answer TO the look she bent on
him; "a friend, I tell you I might
have had more, but would take only
three. They are enough to carry US to
Liverpool, and, once there, we are sure
of passage to the west. Once in the
west, the world is before us. can work,
Mary. We are young-a poor man has
no chance here, but we can 60 to Amer
lea with fresh hopes"
"And good conscience - said the
woman in whisper, like lady Macbeths.
The man was silent At last he SEEM
ed TO grow angry at the steadiness of
her gaze. "Why do you look at me in
that manner : tell you we shall start
Tomorrow"
''And the money "said the woman.
81 will seHd it back to my friend from
whom borrowed it, out of my first ear
nings. took only three, in case it
should incommode him to lend Inc more :"
II must see that friend myself" said
Mary, "before 1 touch the money"
"Tell ye what! Is it the man - again
asked Tom.
"Hush y 1 said, ''let us listen.''
II recognized a friend of mine in the
Melheld Bank. l give you my word l
got the COINS from him'
"Tell ye what he confesses," said
Tom; Let us spring on him by sur
prise-an ugly rufian as ever I saw ~
''And with that sum- he continued,
''see what We can do. 1t will relieve US
from our distress which has come upon
us--Mary, You know l speak the truth
in this-from no ether fault of mine than
too much confidence in a treacherous
friend. | cannot see you starve.
cannot see the baby reduced from Dur
comfortable keeping to lie on straw at the
end of a barn like this. cannot do it,
| will not do it ~ he went on, getting
more impassiored in his words, "at
whatever cost, l will give you chance
of comfort and independence"
"And peace of mind :" replied Mary
''Oh, William, must tell you what ter
rible fears have been in my heart, all
this dreary night, during your absence {;
l have read, and prayed, and turned for
comfort to heaven. Oh, William, give
tire money back to your friend L say
nothing about the loan, take it back,
cannot look at it; let US starve, let us
die, if it must be so but take that mon
ey away"
Tom Ruddlc gently put down the cock
of his pistol, and run the sleeve of s
coat across his eyes
"Let US trust, William" the woman
went Oil, "and deliverance will be found.
The weather is very cold. There seems
no visible hope but cannot altogether
despair at this time of the year. This
barn is not more humble than the man
gei at Bethlehem, which l have been
reading about all night"
At this nroassnt great clang of bells
pealed from the old church tower; it
was so near that it shook the rafers on
which we sat. and filed all the room
with the sharp ringing sound
clark - cried the man. startled,
"what's that -
''Is is christmas morning." said the
woman, "Ah, William, William, what a
different spirit we should welcome itwith;
in what different spirit we have well
coRaed it, many ahd many happy time.
He listened a moment or two to the
bells. Then he sank on bis knees and
put his head on her lap and there was
perfect silence except the Christmas
music. ''Tell ye what - said Tom, Il
remember we always sung hymn at this
hour, in my fathers house. Let us be
wouldn't disturb these people for a
thousand guineas."