The Shasta courier., 1867-10-12
NUMBER 80.

so forth. lheres motto on each. On the
vase was written, To the brave, devoted
Smith On the stomach of that harmour.
was, Tribute to death-defying 'ardibood IN
the person of the noble arted Smith And
SO It's in all of 'em. Somehow, though I
couldn't bring myself to believe that Proll
was laughing at me in her sleeve, | knew it
would set those fellows off, so | scratched out
the writing on the harmors stomach. and
wouldn't let no one look too close at t'other
things, you see. Now what | want you for
to do is this" continued the invalid, raising
himself on thepillow ''0' course this is ali
CANNON. PrUll must be lunas.c. | never
did her any service. How could /, as have
lived quiet here since | was born | feel as
if I'd been taking money and gimeracks all
my life from Proll's family, which may
want 'em. There may be old Prolls, or lit
tie Prolls, or, in Short my good friend, 1
have made up my mind to leave a humping
legacy to Proll, at all events, and you must
find her out if you can. | know you will try.
And, If you can't" concluded the speaker,
family, for he was getting wearied with his
long speech, . there shall be clause pro-
viding rewards for other brave chaps like me,
you know" he smiled, $50 that, perhaps.
somehow, after all, the right j. S. NAV
come in for one of ProlPs pretty thingum-
bobs
Later the same evening, as Slade again
sat beside his friend, awaiting the solicitor
who was to receive instructions for the in
tended legacy, the curate quietly revived the
subject OF ProlFs mysterious gifts.
. You are quite certain-think, now, John
that you have never been in position to
render some extraordinary and timely SER
vice to this Proll?'
Never, on my word" said Mr. Smith,
emphatically.
" 1t is very singular" resumed Mr. Slade
pondering. . Do you knOw-but tell me,
first, has any event of real Importance, such
| mean, as would remain among the best re-
membered incidents of an ordinary expe-
rlence, ever occurred to you, that might in
directly, perchance, connect itself with this
enigma? Think"
John reflected.
Except, that-in June, 'forty-two-I
" Yes?" cried his friend. eagerly, observ-
ing that he paused. - You landed. How?
Where ?"
L" In the pool, below the weir," replied
Mr.. Smith, family. 81 landed HMM
twenty minuteS-with a single gut-brown
partridge fly. lie weighed nine pounds and
a hounce !"
Mr.. Slade fell into another reverie. Sud.
denly be resumed
(" 1t occurs to me, Smith, as not little
remarkable, that every one of these offerings
contains some reference to an OK"
:" A hox !" calculated the invalid
" Hox ~
Or bull. 1t is an ancient sacrifice, a
bull-fght in the arena, or even crest or
device, as in the armor instance Now that,
to my mind, has decided significance Did
you ever-say in your reckless youth, my
friend-haye misunderstanding with q
bull %
"Ir' exclaimed poor Smith Stay
though. With hox, 'ad."
Hap said the curate, Frightening up;
" How was that ~
was walking quietly down Hollow
cross lane, when there come a bellering be-
ind me and man rushed past, crying out
that hinfuriated hox 'ad broke out, and
was coming down the lane ~ | heard him
tramping, and ran on but there was O
quickest hedge each side, and no gate-
" So | made a tremendous leap, and got
over"
And were IN safety"
Why, no." replied Mr.. Smith. "The
haggravating beast had previously adopted
similar course, and was in the field before
me. | saw his great broad forehead, heard
a shrek, and, being knocked down insensi-
L
own 'ouse, with Hannah bathing nv ed.
''Then the matter is as unaccountable as
ever" remarked the curate, with disap-
pointed sigh.
The conversation was never renewed, for
poor little Smith was beginning to sink, and
two short days comprised all that was left of
his inofensive life.
More than scrupulously did the friendly
executors endeavor to fulfill the duty I'M
posed on them but their quest of Proll was
unsuccessful. They had ceased the hopeless
inquiry, and had begun to consult as to the
best mode of carrying out the alternative
measure provided by the will, when, one
morning, a visitor sent in his card to MIR.
Slade.
Colonel Commerell"
The Colonel, who appeared about forty
five. and whose countenance was bronzed by
an Indian sun, was man OF stately presence,
and frank, vet gentlemanly manner.
81 am Just returned, sir" he said, /" from
long period of foreign service, during the
latter part of which my communications
with home have been somewhat Irregular
Nv attention has only now been directed TO
vonr advertisement, addressed to . Proll."
:. God bless me ! are you Proll?" exclaim-
the eurate starting from his seat
The Colonel laughed.
Well, no. he repled. NY WlIe lS. At
her desire | am here to explain what, judg-
inc from the terms of your advertisement,
has remained too long mystery. SO, poor
Mr.. smith is gone? Well Peace to the
brave"
Yes"
Enthusiastically, worthy of the brightest age
of cbivalry."
..You don't say-that is, do you think
?" said Slade cautiously.
Indeed | do. But let me relate, in a few
words what you don't know of this matter"
I" You might relate what do, in fewer
still, f" thought Mr. Slade.
When | was a jolly young cornet," con.
tinued his visitor, g had the good hap to
engage the affections Of one who-God be
praised lis still the blessing of my home
She was an only child +; heiress, in prospect,
of very great wealth. Her father looked to
unite her to member of the noble house to
which he was already distantly connected,
and, having some suspicious of our attach
ment, hurried Rosina off, for time, to the
rasidaroo Of n rala t;,o ,rho I,vad in a raouan.