Middletown transcript., 1869-07-31

determined to work out the golden prob
lens of the dark ravines, and bid defiance
to the ghost of the past. The old mines
were partially closed (; and rather than
seek for unknown veins, they began the
task of opening them anew. But for
weeks they toiled patiently on, without
any reward for their labors. One night
as they rested around their camp-fres,
they were awakened by the ominous roar
of mountain storm, and soon the rain
came pouring down in tropical food,
while the heavy thunder rolled from peak
to peak, and the lightning flashed along
the gray rocks, or smote the lofty trees
near their encampment. Awed, and per-
haps frightened, by the unusual power of
the tempest, the little group looked silent
ly on as the vivid lightning revealed the
damage that was being done to their
works. But as the wind wrestled with
the mountain pines, or swept through the
dark ravincs, they fancied that woman's
shrek was borne on the blast that wild
scream of exultation mingled with the
voice of the tempest, or moaning cry
sounded beneath the gale. But few
hours the storm rolled down from the
heights and swept away to the prairies and
woodlands below The morning sunlight
found the miners undecided what course
to pursue. The more superstitious were
in favor of abandoning the enterprise !;
but under the strong influence of one con-
trolling mind and the fair morning sun
light, the majority grew bolder, and it
uoo doo;dod to vyorly hro yo1,, ON ,,b 4o,a.
obstacles lay in their pathway. Deeper
they forced the sinking shaft, but long
they toiled before their eyes rested upon
the shining sands that gave promise of a
rich reward.
Richard Armsdell was the leading spirit
of the enterprise, and the only one among
them who was entirely free from supersti-
ton. He had led his comrades on, by
alternately reasoning with them and laugh
ing at their ghostly fancies, until they felt
more than half ashamed of themselves.
The fearful storm they had witnessed, and
the wailing undcrcurrcnt of its deepest
notes would have driven them back, but
for the brave heart and clear head of
Armsdcll, who held them by his superior
courage and by the strong magnetic power
which even an ordinary mind will always
obtain over a weaker one.
Now, boys" said he, " one of you
must start in the morning, before daylight
and 60 to the Corners for supplies. Who
will volunteer to do the work ?"
No one answered and, looking around
the group, his eye rested upon the man
who could best be spared from the works,
and he said, " Bill Nelson, you had bet
ter 60"
The man thus addressed started, as if
half frightened by the request, and an
swered, No, sir, l can't GO"
Why can't you?" pursued Armsdell.
Because to tell the truth, l don't
fancy the idea of starting off from these
diggins in the night, and maybe meeting
that woman in her gravcclothes.
"Ha" sneercd Richard, =" afraid you'll
meet woman in her night-dress, amt
you? Well, let somebody else try it."
But in vain he reasoned with their fears.
Under one excuse or another, every one
of them positively refused to go.
Now look here, boys, amt you a.
shamed of yourselves ? I'll go myself;
and mind you don't get scared while I'm
gone!"
Take care, Dick Armsdell," said an
other; "you were the first man that at
tempted to open these mines, and the
Northern Avenger" may be upon your
track"
I" Yes, fancy Isee him" replied Arms
dell " but l reckon these will take the
vengeance out of him !" and he pointed to
a pair of heavy pistols in his belt.
The next morning, while yet the stars
were flashing above the dark trees, the
brave Texan started upon his journey.
Mounted upon a mustang pony and lead
ing another, he began the descent of the
mountain. His lonely pathway led through
the darkness of the evergreen forest that
crowned the summit, and down the deep
defles. The morning light was flushing
the eastern sky with its beauty, as Arms
dell rode slowly down through the long
green asiles, beneath the spreading oaks
and walnuts, where grape-vines were
climbing the lofty trees to hang among
the waving foliage their clusters of fruit.
He crossed the infant Colorado near its
source, and far away across the wide prai-
ries patiently followed the trail, while
around him vast numbers of wild cattle
were roaming at will, and away in the
distance herds of horses galloped over the
plain. After few hours his pathway lay
along the course of running stream, and
the banks were lined with deep beds of
wild honeysuckle. Armsdell was so ac-
customed to these scenes of beauty that
he rode on, scarcely needing the luxu-
rance around him. He soon entered a
region of Understand and passed through
occasional thickets, where the underground
was close and almost impenetrable. Once,
the high bushes we're carefully parted be-
hind him, and dusky faoe peered eau
tiously through the opening, while ma
licious grin overspread the hideous fea-
lures. But it was quickly withdrawn,
and the traveller passed on, unconscious
Of the shadows that haunted his pathway.
He had expectad To reach. the littla vii