Nebraska advertiser., 1868-03-19
F6A VtmhIE ShiUlng.E

0eplOFA6i6 scarce faEtlcl6t anu llS hfoi-
ey 10 purchase il, when found, was equal
" hard TO obtain. Among The cid Rang
eFs, corn Juice was considered dis neces-
sary to subsistence as co~rndodgers I; but
having received no pay for a period, The
small stock as funds had entirely run
cut. 10 The meantime. an old dealer had
succeeded in raising two barrels of the
comfortable liquid, and erected a small
shaniy near the camp, where ashin lie,
ia chaIked capitals declared that Wins
key is arrive at six sences a sue" Major
Murdoch one of the old veterans, had
for two days. in a wofully parched state,
been searching in his 'kiverin'' for a
stray bit he knew was somewhere about
him, but his efforts 10 chase 1t up app ar
ed unavailing-so many patches on his
hunting shirt, it was impossible TO find
the one he had made a pocket TO contain
The precious coin, and OF last he had
given it up. He tried to gel trust for
two drinks. till he could find it, but the
owner of the shanty knew better than to
trust any one in that crowd.
Try again, major" said a dry crony,
who knew, the circumstances never
give up in a good cause. A shillin' In
silver now is worth gold another time. I"
The major did Try again, and a; last,
down in the seam of the tail, the major
discovered the little joke, and perhaps
be hailed The discovery with a yell of sat-
isfaction.
Nov, Bill said be, swell give that
old f~eller's barrel a rip for two invigora-
tors, and no dispute"
They accordingly adjourned to the
shanty, and called for the medicine. !"
The owner at the major looked doubt
fully, but when he displayed the bit. hes
itation vanished-he instantly drew the
"Stick," handed them over, and took the
change. The frs; taste frightened the
major as an Indian. He observed,
while drinking, that the dealer placed
the money on a little shelf behind him,
and Just above his head; it was within
reaching distance, too, from his stand be-
side the temporary counter. Upon this
discovery be at once acted.
well, really SAID he" that stuff
is suthin' like; thar's a body to it that
tickles vitality at the extreme pints.
Bill" he added, II could fight Inguns
at half wages, eff they'd only feed me
from such cows milk as in that barrel.
1 think Wen 60 another"
Bill signIfied assent, but looked at the
major with some surprise and inquiry in
bis counlenance, as to where he would
fad another BIT; but the cd Ranger soon
opened bis eyes wide. The dealer bad
40 sooner stopped to draw from the
barrel, than the major picked the shilI-
ing off The shelf, and paid it ver again
for the drink.
II knoved you had money, major, ,
said the dealer, "ef you could only con
sent to she'll il out; but you'er getting
consumed close-fsted in your old days.
The major laughed at the remark, as
he replied
"Well, you're a cunnin' sarpent, 10.
and bound to makelsuthin' out of US fell
Iers. l declare, that Ticker is so trem.
enjus that it's soi me Cravin'in my in.
nards!"
Don't give it up yit, major" chimed
in thesdealer.
"There's more where COME from. and
the same brewin. / XII ov you have been
sufferin' fur these few days past. cause
you didn't like to open and I hated
precious bad to refuse you; but whiskey
costs a powerful sight afore it gifts here.'
well, we will tate another atom OF
a drink, and then lumber" says the will
ing Ranger.
The shilling was picked off the shelf
and went through the samkprocess again
with equal satisfaction. after swallow
ing another round, the Ranger smacked
hiselips, and made a move towards the
door. and turned back again
81 thought you'd think better of it,
MAJOR" said the dealer;'such stuff as
that don't stay long in these diggins.
You'll go another, l guess"
"Well, jest one more" says the major.
'I7declaIe, | think it war some sech
ticker that tempted Adm instid of an
apples as the SeripIur Hsez., Il is all
sufficiently enticin' to coax a coon out of a
boiler log, if the dogs were arter him"
In reaching for the shilling this time,
the major was so eager, and a litIe ex-
cited withal, that he dropped it down
right before the owner of the shanty.
"Helloo!" says he; "that thar shelf
must be gettin' crowded, when they are
droppin' of-or is II is yours, major?"
"It's yours now" answered the Rang.
err, -" for these last drinks and, 10, yer is
wishln' yer may git BIT so often"
"Thanky, major. thanky," said Joe.
.'Ill drink that myself" And so he did.
The major and Bill retired with the
honors, and as they were passing through
the door, 10 was feeling on the shelf
for his shilling; but the hunting shirt coin
was all that the search produced.
But, by thunder" exclaimed be.
And coming to the door, he shook his
fist after the old Ranger, exclaimlng,
al might hev knowed a pizen old Ingen,
killer like you had no money-you shan't
have another suck out of this barrel, if
your old melt and (gizzard was freezin'
inside on you"
But the major had had his dram.