The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-11-17
THE WRECKER'S WAGER.

wild and desolate than the mining dis
tricts of Cornwall. Nature, as "a coun-
terpoise to the treasures which she has
lavished on this region, has given to its
external features a most forbidding as
pect. The eye takes in a prospect of
bleak and barren plains, with neither
tree nor shrub to protect the traveller
from the wind that sweeps across them,
and presenting danger at every step,
from the numerous shafts by which
they are intersected 1t is truly an in
hospitable country, and the nature of
its inhabitants quite accords with its
unfriendly characteristics. They are, to
great extent, repulsive in appearance,
torbidding in manners and cruel and
cunning by natural disposition, and
seem hardly to have risen much above
the barbarous state Of their ancestors.
1t was late in the autumn when | visi-
ted this region, and toward the close of
gloomy day that found myself at the
residence of Capt. Thomas-so | shall
call him-a man whom had met in Lon
don, and who had persuaded me that the
only sure way to make fortune was to
invest trifle of ready money in a copper
mine. He held the rank of captain, 10y
the custom Of the country, as mine,
like ship, is conducted by captain
and officers. The captain was rather a
decent specimen of his class; for, where
there is so many combinations of miner,
smuggler, wrecl<er, and consequently
ruffiian, a man of even tolerable man
ners and address is something. My
worthy friend, however, had one be-
setting weakness, which | afterward
discovered. He would have considered
it quite admissible to have robbed his
own father rather than not have robbed
at all.
Our supper being over, he proposed
an adjournment to the cred Dragon "
or red something-it is so long ago
have almost orgotten-where he as
sured me | would meet with most
respectable society Of gentlemen, and
where | might be able to pick up much
valuable information. They were all
particular friends of his, he added,
captains and pursers Of mines. 1t was
a dismal night when we sailed out, a
thick mist was gathering round, the
sea was breaking against the huge,
rocky cliffs Of the coast with deaten-
ing roar, and at times was heard the
distant thunder. 1t was then, with a
most comfortable feeling that i found
myself safely housed at the rendezvous
of these choice spirits of the mines.
The party to which l was introduced
were seated at long deal table, in an
apartment half kitchen, hall tap.room,
at the upper end of which appeared a
blazing fire. On one side of the room
door opened into small parlor, and
in the corner was bar, to enable the
worthy host to dispense to his Gus.
toners their various rotations from his
struggled treasures. The arrival of
Capt. Thomas was hailed with marked
satisfaction. We were soon seated, and
in twinkling a large tumbler of hot
brandy and water was placed before
me and a pipe thrust into my hand.
The conversation, which was rather
loud when we entered, was now sud.
denly hushed, and intelligent glances
we've quickly interchanged, which saw
related to myself Thomas understood
them and said: "This gentleman is a
friend of mine and great patron
of the mining arts" / then begged to
assure the company of my veneration
for miners and mines and all connected
with them. There was visible bright
ening up at my declaration, and, doubt
less, at that moment various were the
plans Of rascality that were Matched to
put my devotedness to the proof. "a
likely night, this, Capt. Thomas" said
a beetle-b owed, short, muscular man,
whose dark eyes peered from beneath a
brow of peculiar ferocity. "Uncom-
mon likely" returned the other, "and
if we should have bit of luck tonight
it would not be bad beginning this win
ter" "Ahp said the first one, who
answered to the name Of Knox, "my
wife thinks Providence has deserted our
coast. We haven't had anything worth
telling about these two years past. I've
seen the time when we've had q dozen
wracks a season." "Well, never mind,
Master knox," said pert-looking, snub-
nosed fellow, named Gray, whom | ut
first took for an attorney, but afterward
found that he was a mining agent.
"Never mind" Master Knox," said he,
ingling bunch of seals, which peeped
from beneath the waistcoat of that
worthy. on nave Hdue the mOsl OF
your luck, and if you don't get any
more YOU won't harm"
"Why, yes" said the fellow, drawing
out a handsome gold watch, which
hardly seemed in keeping with his
coarse attire, 4" don't complain Of the
past, and yet had narrow escape
with this. If it hadn't been for my boy
Jim, should have lost it," He's a
cute child, that boy of yours" remarked
one. "There never was a cutter. I'll
tell you, Sir" said he, addressing me,
"it is two years ago, come December,
on a Sunday, when we were all at
church, that we had news of a wreck.
Well, off we all started, and the parson
not the last, to see what God had seat
us. We found, on coming up, that it
was French Indiaman. She had gone
to pieces on the rocks, and the goods
were floating around like dirt. / wasn't
long in making the most of it, and Jim
was lest going off for the cart, when l