Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-07-20

received in silence, and when handed the
package he only said, clay it down." "
We made ready for an early start in the
morning, then 1 rolled up in my blanket,
and with my feet to the fire lay down to
sleep. When ] walked up the blaze had
died down, but l could see Bill at dis
lance, bending over what proved to be a
hole in the ground. After while he
broke off some green boughs, threw them
in, and then hastily threw in the earth.
He came and sat down by the fire. |
watched him for an hour or so, but he
never moved, and when woke in the
morning, he had not changed his position.
We started off, but ! made an excuse to
return, and hurredly opened the ground
where had seen him working in the night.
do not know what / expected to see, but
| certainly was surprised when | found
under the covering of earth and green, the
little package, which had tearfully been
ntIusted to my care.
I broke the string and found small
copy of "Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress"
81 will keep it," I said, "and when he
needs me most he will need this too"
When we reached the first miners camp,
Bill walked up and was eager enough until
he had scanned the face of every man.
That day he looked weary, and it was the
first time he laid down when did for the
night
In the morning he sold his team all but
two horses; those he packed with blankets
and provisions, and we struck off down the
canon, stopping wherever any one was at
work, and going out of our way if we heard
Of solitary miner
After a while he left off telling me to
leave him, and I think the companionship
made him feel more human. Once he
stepped a week when seemed tired out,
but was restless and uneasy and declared
"another day would kill him."
"Iell me-" said |, one day, "why you
will not rest this life is wearing upon
you; you cannot endure half the fatigue
you could upon the Plains. Let's take up
claim and settle down, or if you will go
on-let me help you; couldn't 2"
no" he answered, "and | believe you
are holding me back. l have felt it ever
since first looked upon your face when |
found you half dead by those bushes that
day. | wish | had left you to die"
lie sprang up and confronted me, 81 will
have no more of this, | shall go on alone,
and don't you dare get between me and
my work or Pill"
His eyes fell before mine. "Do you
think | am afraid of you? you, who
wouldn't harm even an insect. Haven't |
seen you 90 out of your way, rather than
tread the life out of crawling worm =!
Shall all those months of unselfish care for
Others go for nothing, and your hasty
words make me leave you" Besides"
said |, II have work as well as you"
He looked inquiringly at me. "Shall l
tell you what it is ?"
He sat down by the fire which he had
lighted.
keep STILL" said he, "for one month
more, and then you may have your say"
In the morning when we started out,
the air was heavy with smoke. When we
reached San Francisco, after day or two,
we found there had been an extensive fire.
Bill was unwcarled in helping build tents
for the homeless, and his money went
freely TO feed the starving hundreds, who
were likely to find only a grave in the
land which had promised them so much.
I felt that had never known half Of his
genuine goodness of heart until those days,
and | left of watching him as had done
We were stopping at one of the places
dignifed by the name of "Hotel," and in
those "carly times" considered magnificent
in the way of accommodations, quite worth
the fabulous prices which were demanded
for them. But one parlor was the bar
room, and our Groom bunk, one OF
dozen or so in the same apartment, We
had been staying there perhaps three
weeks, when one night was awakened
from sound sleep by the fall of some
heavy body. listened, but there was no
repetition, then | CROPPED my way to BilPs
bunk. He was not there, though | had
seen him "turn in" when did.
| took my hat and passed out through
the bar-room into the darkness and night,
Drunken men of all nations and tribes were
to be met on the muddy sidewalks, their
horrid oaths and obscene iestS, muttered
or shouted in half broken language, re-
minded me of terrible description | lis
tened to when a child, of the abode of the
lost.
The cleaning lights from the drinking
saloons and gambling hells only added an
other tOuch TO the Oicture
! hurried on, peering into every place
where was light or sound, and | kept up
the search until the first rosy tints in the
East told of the coming day.
When 7 came round to our hotel, found
had been sent for three times, and was to
remain there until the messenger came
again. / waited two hours, and then saw
the bar tender pointing me out to Span
lard He beckoned to me, and | followed
him without word. We went through
lanes and bypaths, until lost all idea of
locality. Finally we came to cabin,
when he motioned me to come round by
the side, then he pointed to me to look
through slight aperture.
Two men lay on the floor, which was
covered with blood.
saw at a glance that one was Bill, and
the other bore the same face had often
seen in my dreams.
| thought at first that they were both
dead, but a low groan came from Bill, and
| rushed to the door, knelt down by
him and spoke.
II did not do it," said he, shut | meant
to-"
nrl1nd lin, No uunstion ONLY if he ras