Butte record., 1856-06-21
The Gold Mine,


log cables and hard cider in album
dance. One day a tall thin-visa ged
mortal was riding miserable apology
for a horse through the principle street,
and stopped at the sign of the ''Chain-
ed Bear" on Water street. He was
an 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, al
though the thermometer was high up
in the nineties. Buckskin inexpressi-
bles ornamented pair of legs that
had doubtless done the State some SER
vice in running down wild varmints,
and his cowhide boots appeared to be
made for the double purpose of protect
ing his toes from the SHOWS of winter,
and carrying water to extinguish fires.
Walking up to the bar, the strange
customer thus addressed the hotel
keeper:
''How much for my horse am me,
s'pos'n we 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; l know now as well as
if I'd wintered with you-and so here
I'll drive my stakes. AS for Black
Dick, he'll not trouble you much, old
feller, I've larnt him how to live on
short allowance. When | started
from the crossroads, put peck of
corn behind my blanket, and told him
he must get along with it, to which he
agreed, but it didn't last-so he hasn't
had a crib for two days; but no mat
trr-jest hand me that green bottle,
landlord-I'm as dry as rattlesnake-
skim
The red-eye was furnished, and
three doubloons ratified on the pine
counter, drawn from the mole-skin
purse Of the stranger.
''Now Tor some rib-timber and a
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 pertickler business
On hand"
eyes, sir,-yes; what's your name!"
"Bill Thompson, from Snake Greek;
good night"
The keeper of the Chained Bear"
was at loss to fix his customer, and
rached his brain to divine the nature
Of the ''pertickler business" he had to
transact On the following morning.
The bar-room loafers had their say
old Mrs. knowall her guess-and the
knowing ones their thoughts; but all
of them concluded to leave to Father
Time the solving of the mysteries Of
Bill Thompson OF Snake Creek.
In the morning the guest was missed,
but at breakfast he made his appear
ance, apparently in a very good hui
NOR with himself ard all the world
After breakfast he inquired for the
residence Of the Rev. Mr.. S., chem
ist of good repute, and sloped. He
soon stood at the door of the scientific
gentleman, and was invited to take a
seat in the parlor, by the accomplished
tenant.
Haven't time to stay, thank you
Just brought some Jumps with me l
found t'other day Oh patch of ground
| own, to see what it is," said the ap-
parently green 'un, at the same time
producing three Or four small Jumps of
metal.
The professor carefully examined
the humps, and Stepping into his Iabo-
ratory, soon returned with an anxious
expression of countenance,
you say you found these Jumps on
your farm ~
'sartain-picked 'em up one day
last week after thunderin' shower"
''Didn't take notice-plenty of 'em,
| s'pose; the boys have got lot"
''Well, sir, it is my duty to tell
you those specimens are pure gold;
but it is singular-nay, impossible, |
should think, that the precious metal
should have been found in such state
of perfection"
sDon't know any thing about it;
but I'm mighty glad you say the
Jumps are gold. | reckon | can find a
bushel of 'em. Good morning sir"
Of course the news spread Ike Wild
fire through the town that an ignorant
countryman had gold mine on Snake
Greek. The bar-room of the "Bear''
was thronged with anxious purchasers,
who resorted to variety of devices to
pull wool over the unsophisticated
owner of the gold mine. The humps
passed through the hands of thousands
the knowing ones, on hearing of the
stranger, expresseg doubts as to their
quality-others contended that they
were copper, and not few pronoun-
ced them stone.
The excitemen. hourly increased