The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-05-10

WIZ p'ANlit+o~' @Ai' '|t'~A'4+D''j ''N'' -
being pressing, l agreed to mention the
matter to Sam DrinLwater, who l knew
would be glad of such an opportunity,
though | doubted extremely whether he
could find the purchase money. So with
this understanding my visitor took his de-
parturc, having arranged to call upon ne
again in the afternoon.
| Now the fact is, tLat l Lad lurking
doubt Of Mr. Shannon, lie was 50 very
polite, My conviction was, that the CON
slant smile which illuminated his dusky
countenance, was but habitual contrac-
ton Of the muscles, and, like the big pic
ture over a penny-show, no guide what
ever to what was going on within. Sill
/ hate to be suspicious without cause, and
| never had real cause to suspect Mr.
Shannon of anything dishonest. He was
an uncxceptionable ncighbor when sober,
and very amusing after little whiskcy /;
and | don't know what more one could cX-
pect under the circumstances.
According to my promise, l went after
dinner to Sam Drinkwater, to tell him OF
Mr.. Shannon's liberal offer, ! found Sam
t with his hands in his breeches pocket sea-
ted on the trunk of tree, and whistling
r proianely. He nodded shortly in reply to
my salutation, and went on whis.ling. lie
did not even offer me pipe, but fixed his
eyes, and seemingly his attention, on the
fragments of a pick, which he had smash
ed the day before. Mr.. Drinkwater was
evidently very miserable. After some
trouble, overcame his UiS inertiG, and
got him up to my tent, where | unfolded
a to him what the reader already knows
: Ny narrative did interest him a little, and
a he stopped whistling, until l mentioned the
b demand of three ounces, vixen hewhistled
=, louder than ever,
'Ofcourse, l knew there was something,
/. said Sam, getting up excitedly. why
haven't got one ounce; much less tina!
l.; three.
Y 'Did't you make anything last week
l inquired.
Just as much as will pay for my ren
and washing he replied. The reader is
O no doubt, aware that these items deman
ded no outlay from Mr. Drinkwater.
e 4 am sorry for it, Sam, said /; 'but
think Old johnson will lend YOU the mon
N ev, ifvou uchoose-Here comes Shannon.
w That gentleman entered..lh as tentI spoke
and having prevailed upon him to take
IF seat, l explained to him the sad state c
n, my friend Sans finances.
,e Upon my conscience, l wish l coul
d, give him the hole--so do l. observed MI
n. shannon; but travcling's mighty dear i
er this country, and what with the -four all
at tea, and other combustiblcs for the journey
of we'll want every penny we can get.
4 suppose you'll let Sam wash a tub
IS, try the hole 2 said l.
of course we will, but the gold wi
is be ours
se 'Oh certainly. Well, Sam, what d
YOU say? We can manage it somehow
| can get you three ounces where | mel
w. toned, on security of your tent and tools
,ht and one days hard work, if the hole keel
good, will free you again
asst MY traps are not worth three ounces
wo said Sam.
". Never mind, III be your security
Why, you'll pay the money in two da.
lad you know at the latest
.ou All right said Sam; 4 expect b
io- I know how it will be, Directly get i
to the hole, and the gold will have disa
ire peared'' :.
to What do you mean by that?' erie
Shannon, looking very red. 'lfyou me-
aid to say tha! I'm deceiving ye'- j..
hat 'Oh brother, said l; Sam means tn
aw his luck is 50 bad, that when there is 60
2ok in hole he can't find it,
me yes that's it, said Sam.
, | was rather surprised that Shann
i'm sbould have excited hmselfs fso needleSSl
rth nor could | altogether account for
of passion lie exhibited. However,
matter was arranged, and it was agre
Mr. that Sam should try the hole next MOI
do ing; and if the trial proved satisfaction
we he should pay the money at onee' "
? it so enable Shannon and his partner to
&C. off for the new diggngs at Korong
dI. On the following afternoon, about ic
1t O'Clock, finding my labor very unprod'
ght live and feeling, Therefore, very lazy
it, strolled down to the site Of Sans II
by purchase, to see how he was getting
Passing along the gully. l was hailed
it? the individual before alluded to as
rice Johnson. He was thin copper.colo
can old man. who picked upg living on
diggins without the labor of using a PI
med He kept a sly grog-shop,' or in OF