The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-10-21
NUMBER 3Gt

That evening Shakes was missed ffosa
his Usual haunts, and il soon becams
generally known that he had left thS
Flat. Phis was an unprecedented
episode in Norway Flats history. Moth
ing had ever occurred before 70 disturb
its usifofm equanimisy. excepting fhs
shooting Of Red Aliek 55y Kassian Biif
in moment Of ffensied exeitemeut, pro-
duced in the heat Of discussion as 10
the merits Of the parties then engaged !.
in the Crimcan War. His departure
was the universal topic Of conversation
around every 6rcside aud In every kss
room in the camp. The speculatious d
to the cause were as varied as they aers
improbable. b
The Thermometer at Browns that
evening, indicated 150 below zero; but
no fears we're harborcd in the mind Of
any one as to the safety of the ono wfi6
had so Internationally left tie sasV
"homeward bound"
Weeks passed on, aud nothing had
been seen or heard Of Shakes since his
departure. Norway 6a had almost fog
gotted him. Brown, the landlord Of
the Occidental" was standing il hfs
doorway, eating abstractedfy at tlfe dis.
taut wiudiugs of the "down country"
trail. 1t was only the previous day that
prospective party had passed along b
from the Flat, dounb for the desarssa
mining camp of Diggcrs Delight, situs-
ted about ten miles distant. His
thoughts naturally rccurred 20 their DE-
partme and prospects. Suddouiy, his
quick eye detected in the distance
group of men slowly trudging toward
tho Flat, and was somewhat astonished
TO recognize in them the pfospectors Of
Diggcrs' Delight returning, bearing with
them heavy burden. The news SOON
spread that Shakes had been found dead
at Diggcrs' Delight. 1t was evident thss
night had overtakon him there, and that
he had determined to spend it In one of
tho deserted aiantics. The Gfc.pIscJ
had bsaa allna -, shirna ssesssss. g. ss;
ready for che match; but Il renuainsa
unkindled. Why, no one could aas9ss.
The verdict Of all VIII, heard the story
was that he had fallen victim Co tle
severity of the weather on The evenine,
of the day he left the as., O., as sAs5
expressed ii, "friz dead"
In an inBids pocket of a vest worn
underneath his ragged overshirt, q packs
ct of letters was found, all ofwhich were
written IN the same handwritiug, ana
addressed to "Jamos Wilkenson, Esq,
Norway Flat" Sundry photographs
were also discovered in Che same pocket
one of an aged lady, another ofa 90
man in the prime of Fife, ard tie xsse ~
three beautiful girls Of from ten tefe.
teen years Of age. ALI the letteks beae
the same post-mark, e, Me-" Each
envelope was endorsed in pencil mara,
Reed. (date,J ,. W." One of them
was indorsed, 'ReUa Novr. n, 1858.
j. W." That was the day shas Shakes
left Norway Fiat. Its contents explain
ed the mystery of his life and poverty,
| and ran thus:
-, MAINE, Aug. 80, 1859.
My dear James: Your last rs nifsncs
of $3.50 hus been duly received, aud che
mortgage on the farm is how paid. ~" .
Have you not impoverished YOURSELF Co.
keep US in comparative luxarys We
have wanted nothing. *~* Motives In
ailing and rapidly declining. Dassor
j '~.s us..svs po=s. .Say sSa
through the coming winter. She ioa,rp
to see you, James, before she aies- " . =
Emma, Annie, and Gerey are all seli.
So o, James, do dome homo ae once;
if not, shall sell the PLACID next spring,
and como to Norway Flat myself.
Your afectiouase wife,
ELiEx WnRaSsosn
The bright side Of Shakes character.
which he had So carefully eosiccagsi'
from the sight of bis fellow-nenr Gag
here revealed. And he had now gons'
to another home to receive bis rcEasd.---