San Andreas independent., 1858-12-18
CHAPTER VI.


lighted Likelihood, its attendant homestead re-
collections of stockings full of toys, miniature
horses and carriages and houses, acds come
again TheStreets of Tumbletown were noisy
with the Sounds of dollar drums and shilling
trumpcts, beating and braying in merry dis
cord; and at the table ia the large hall Of the
new mansion, were assembled happy and |
joyous crowd as ever was found together
Simpkins was there, and Meineka was there,
and every lady in the place had lent her pres
ence to grace the assembly, save the widow
Coffin. Even krantz was there, standing
aloof apparently admiring a painting in the
corner. Mr.. Revere, with face joyous with |
smiles, was seated at the head of the table, |
welcoming his guests.
{" There they set" soliloquized the money |
lender, wasting their hours in idle gossip
Where's that poor proud woman that spurned |
me when | spoke of wedock. The writ she |
received from the sheriff, must have spoiled |
her relish for the banquet Egad, | hope it |
has. Fool that she is, she might have saved
her cottage, aye, and been the mistress ofthese
halls, perhaps. Smile away, you extravagant !
fools your time is short for wealth and honor.
You've built a fine house, and treat your
ncighbors well with borrowed funds. All, !
now he comes. Ha, la, mine host has ran his |
race.
A well known officer entered at that mo-
ment, and politely placed in Revere's hands
writ of attachment, covering the new house
and furniture, and all the other property real
and personal, known to be in his possession.
Revere composedly placed the paper in his
pocket. Krantz chuckled and was about to
leave the apartment. But Revere, in his ur-
bane manner insisted upon his staying to par
take of the vands, which the money-lender
awkwardly and reluctantly consented to.
"Ladies and gentlemen" exclaimed Revere,
&c hope you will pardon me for little harm
less deception. l have been only the super
intendent in the construction of this beauti-
full ediice. Allow me to introduce to you its
venerable and worthy proprietor" And Bones,
entering at that moment, politely saluted the
company
Ter tuyful," muttered Meineka. and with
only these audible words, with his eyes, began
a hundred rapid interrogations. Simpkins
placed himself within reaching distance of the
door. The whole company were embarrass-
ed-almost panic stricken. Bones was attired
in sable suit of broadcloth, which he wore
with the grace of well-bred gentleman
There was the same frosty beard though
somewhat "curtailed in its proportion; - the
same snowy hair the same prominent cheek
bones and sunken, lively eyes-that unmsta-
kins was not slow to recognize.
After satisfying the company by the most
&. positive. .ess<srance. that heswas man of flesh
just what he appeared to be--ne began an
explanation Ladies and gentlemen-I am
happy to meet, in my new home, so many of
the good citizens of Tumbletown. | had been
among you several years, struggling to obtain
a competency for my old age, but fortune
seemed shy, and as my &c crept on, the dread
fnl anticipation of becoming superanuated and
without home, made me uncommunicatve
and unhappy was, like many of us miners,
born to wealth and luxury, and had acquired
keen relish for the social and intellectual
pleasures of society. Deprived of these enjoy
ments, away from friends and without money, |
my life had become gloomy void As you
all know, with my own hands had performed |
miracle Of labor. In fact in the uninterrup-
ted exercise of my physical strength, did find |
an only solace. Striking my pick, one day. |
deeply into the side of the shaft | found a |
natural drift, or cave. | entered, crawling
upon my hands and knees, to prospect the |
cavern. found it rich, exceedingly rich in
gold. Following along, perhaps half mile,
in this subterranean passage, found an open
ing into dense thicket on the bed of Stony
Gulch Along this passage are several capa-
cious apartments surrounded with walls of
stalactite, and beautifully studded with yell
low substance resembling birthstone Into one
of these | removed my furniture, and made
my residence; | have seldom had occasion to
leave my comfortable and cozy quarters, but
occasionally, after the labor of the day was
over, have refreshed myself with walk into |
the delightful evening air. l have been fire.
quently observed, | am aware; and on one
particular occasion, while ascending the steep
bank of Stony Gulch, was suddenly confront
ed Dy two OF our citizens; when, TO save the
annoyance of disclosure, suddenly retired"
"'Taint so very strange after ALL exclaimed
Simpkins, leaving his position near the door,
and advancing with assurance toward the
speaker.
Yer pet pin nichs mitout ter poty, by SHIN
miny,' muttered Hans.
Ladies and gentlemen; little over year
ago had visitor" continued Bones, advan-
cling toward an inner door, and leading in Mat
Coffin, followed by his delighted little wife
(" Now" said Bones, "you can congratulate
him on his safe and successful hermitage.
Amid the embraces and attendant commotion,
the dishes of the table and furniture of the
hall were in imminent danger rofdemolishment. of
Boys" said Mat, after he was freed from
the squeezing salutatonS ofhis friends, boys,
where's old krantz? Call him up. Mr. Bones,
be so kind as to read that document Krantz /
stood like before tribunal for sem ,
tence; and Bones, taking from his pocket ,
paper, read as follows:
"This indenture, made the 5th day of No
vember, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty - between Do {
mingo Sanchez of the first part, and Sylvester !
Bones and Matthew Coffin, of the second part.
witnesseth-that the said party of the first !.
part, for and in consideration of the sum of
ten thousand dollars to him in hand paid. by
the said parties of the second part, the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath bar
gained and sold, and by these presents do
bargain and sell. unto the said parties of the
second part, all that portion of his grant lately
confirmed and patented, upon which the town
of Tumbletown is situated and
am not worth apenny," exclaimed Krautz
as he tottered towards the door not pen