Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-01-31

be staked off for them, and every one on the
Bar should give half-days' work each week
for their benefit
A committee was appointed, of which our
before mentioned Irshman was one, to COM
municate the proceedings of the meeting to
the ladies in as delicate q manner as possible,
in order that their feelings might not be
wounded by this offer of aid.
The delegation on Monday morning pro-
eeeded in form on their errand, but the in
quisitiye Yankee had been in advance of
them, and the objects of their charity were
advised Of the intention, and so were prepar
ed for the reception.
After great deal of talk about the wealth
er, prospects in various localities and other
topics in general, Jim began to fear he had
been deceived as to the cause of their visit,
and the ladies had become quite nervous, when
the little Irishman mustered courage to break
the ice.
An sure" says he, eve have bin instruct
ed to make dilcate offer to the ladies, an
hope the'll not be afther Citing offended"
Bob and Pete, or Belle and Nelly as they
had been called, both made an effort to blush,
while Jim answered,
That certainly the girls would not be Of
Tended, as such gentlemen could not say any
thing that would wound the feelings of anv
lady"
After much pretended hesitation The offer
was accepted with many protestations of
gratitude, and the committee left to make the
needed arrangements.
The boys were rather nonplussed at having
to continue their disguise so long, but they
were in for it, and so, determined to do their
best, and trust to luck.
Things went on smoothly enough for three
or four weeks. Their claims were rich, and
the weekly gain was such that they were in
high hopes. They had fiddler on the Bar,
and place having been smoothed over on
the ground, almost every evening they had a
dance at which the girls went the rounds of
all those who had ever joined the "mazy
Dance" and several who had not hitherto in
dulged, were not proof against the tempta-
ton, and took hand, mean a foot, in the
saltatory amusement.
Had it not been that the Misses favored
each of the miners with their attentions, un-
doubtedly some rather ungallant remarks
might have been made in regard to immodest
pigeon wings and robust ankles; for although
Belle and Nelly endeavored to sustain their
parts, yet they were guilty of some rather
unladylike actions.
But affairs at last came to a crisis. A
man came on the Bar who knew Jim in the
States, and it was fortunate for the Bgrleys
that his meeting with Jim was not in COM
pany AS it was, Jim, in order to prevent a
catastrophe explained to his acquaintance the
whole deception, and extracted promise
from him not to expose them.
He kept his word but his mirth was so
excited that he could not, when in the pres
ence of the ladies', restrain his laughter; and
when speaking of them to Others he indulged
in some rather vague illusions to their being
too soaistful to suit him, which coming to
the ears of some of their admirers, stirred
up their ire, and he was called to account for
it. This appeared so ludicrous, that altho'
he attempted to apologize, he only made the
matter worse by putting wrong accent on
the latter part Of Miss Bellies name, and
making ldpsus Hngua in speaking that of
Miss Nelly. The result was challenge in
due FORM Ccrporeal punishment was con-
sidered too vulgar in such cause.
Here was fix Jim was called on to
straighten the matter and the sol disat la
dies we're brought into the consultation to
decide what to do.
Of course Jim's acquaintance would not
leave as be had a good claim; and neither
would he fight. AS to a further apology;
that would only brand him with cowardice,
so it was decided that he should postpone the
duel till the next day, when the impostors
would try to be out of harms way, and then
he was privileged to get out of the scrape by
revealing the whole deception.
That night the boys doffed their feminine
fxings and beat an ignomnious retreat
| Tho nayt morning the partias met for tho