Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1871-10-12

iH HDam,d fl don't make tracks fur
hmm, - be suddenly exclaimed, and as sua-
denly bade farewell to Norway Flat ana
Its surroundings.
That evening Shakes was missed from
his usual haunts, and it soon became gen.
orally Known that he had left the FIAT
This was an unprecedented episode IN
Norwg Flats history. Nothing hao
ever occurred before to disturb it's uniform
equanmity, excepting the shooting of Red
Alick by Russian Bill in moment Oh
frenaed excitement, produced in the heat
Of discussion ais to the merits OF the par
ties ther, engaged IN the Crimean war
His departure was the universal topic OF
conversation around every fireside aad in
eye.v bar-room in the camp The speeu-
latbns as to the cause were as varied as
ths were improbable. "Jtgs ~" 49, :. :
The thermometer at Browns that even
ins, indicated 150 below zero; but no fears
wee harbored in the mind of any one as
tothe safety of the one who had so uncer-
enormously left the camp s'homeward
tound."
Weeks passed on, and nothing had been
seen or heard of Shakes since his depart
ure. Norway Flat had almost forgotten
him. Brown, the landlord of the "Occi-
DENTAL - was standing in his doorway,
gazing abstractedly at the distant wind
ings of the ''down country trail. 1t was
only the previous day that a prospecting
party had passed along it from the Flat,
bound for the deserted mining camp of
Diggers' Delight, situated about ten miles
distant. His thoughts naturally required
to their departure and prospects. Sud-
denly, his quick eye detected in the dis
tance group of men slowly trudging to-
ward the Flat, and was somewhat aston
ished to recognize in them the prospectors
of Diggers' Delight returning, bearing
with them heavy burden. The news
soon spread that Shakes had been found
dead at Diggers' Delight. 1t was evident
that night had oyertaken him there, and
that he had determined to spend it in one
of the deserted shanties. The fireplace
had been filed by him with wood, ready
rvr the match; but it remained unkindled.
Why, no one could answer. The verdict
Of all who heard the story was that he had
fallen victim to the severity of theweath-
er on the evening of the day he left the
Flat, or, as they expressedit, 'friz dead"
In an inside pocket of a vest worn un-
derneath his ragged overshirt, a pocket of
letters was found, all of which We're writ
ten in the same handwriting, and address
ed to "James Wilkinson, Esq, Norway
Flat" Sundry photographs were also
discovered in the same pockst-one of an
aged lady, another of woman in the
prime of life, and the rest Of three beauti.
full girls of from ten to fifteen years ofage.
All the letters bore the same post-mark,
&, Me-" Each envelope was indorsed
in pencil mark, "Recd. (date,) j. W."
One of them was indorsed, Greed. Novr.
II, 1859, j. W. That was the day that
Shakes left Norway Flat. Its contents
explained the mystery of his life and poy-
erty, and ran thus:
-, MAINE, Aug. 80, 1859.
My dear james: Your last remittance of $3.50 has
been duly received and the mortgage the farm
paid. Have you not impoverished yourself to
keep in comparative luxury? We have wanted moth
ing. - Mother is ailing and rapidly declining.
Doctor says she cannot possibly live through the coming
winter She longs to you James before she dies
Emma Annie, and Gerty are all well. 0,
James do home once; if not shall sell the place
next spring, and come 10 Norway Flat myself
Your affectionate wife,
Ellen WILKINSON.
The bright side of Shakes's character,
which he had so carefully concealed from
the sight of his fellow-men, was here re-
vealed. And he had now gone to another
home to receive his reward Overland