The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-24

kettle boils, we might about as well eat
our grub as to waste time talking.n
| gave him the messages, which were
received in silence, and when | handed the
package he only said, "I.ay 1t down.
We made ready for nm early start in the
morning, then | 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 | could see Bill at dis
tanee, bending over what proved to be a
hole in the ground, After while he
broke off some green bouglls, threw them
in, and then hastily threw in the earth.
lie came and sat down by the fire. l
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 oil, but | made an excuse to
return, and hurricdly 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
intr1stod to my care.
broke the string and found small
copy of "Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress"
II will keep IT," / said, "and when he
needs INC 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 faco 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 bis team, all hut
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 ont Of ON way five heard
Of a solitary miner.
After while he left off telling me to
leave MIN, and I think the companionship
made him feel more human. Once he
stopped q week when | seemed tired out,
but was restless and uneasy and declared
'anOther day would kill him.
"Tell me,n 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 you will go
on-let me help you; couldn't g.
NO." he answered, "and believe you
arc holding me back. have felt It ever
since | fiSt looked upon your face whcr |
found you half dead by those bushes that
day. wish had left you to die"
lie sprang up and confronted me, ~ will
have no more of this, | shall go on alone,
and don't you dare get between nc and
my work or I'll-"
Ills eyes fell before mine. "Do you
think | am afraid Of you? you, who
wouldn't harm even an insect. Haven't !
seen you 20 out Of your way, rather than
tread the life out Of crawling worm Q
Shall all those months Of unseliish care for
Others go for nothing, and your hasty
words make me leave you" Besides u
said |, II have a work us well as You"
He looked inquiringly at me. "Shall |
tell you what 1t s7n
lie sat down by the fire which he had
lighted.
"Kcep STILL" said he, "for one month
more, and then you may have your say"
In the morning when we started out,
the mir was heavy with smoke. When we
reached San Francisco, after day or two,
we found there bad been an extensive fire.
Bill was unwcarcd 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
lard which had promised them so much.
I felt that had never known half OF his
genuine goodness Of heart until those days,
and | left off watching him rs had done.
We were stopping ut one Of the places
digniicd BY the name Of "liotel,h aud in
those s'cariy timesn 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 "roomh a 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 jests, muttcred
or shouted in half broken language, re-
minded me Of terrible. description | lis
tened to when child, Of the abode Of the
lost.
The cleaning lights from the drinking
saloons and gambling hells only added an
other touch 10 the picture.
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 came round to our Eotel, ! found
had been sent for three times, and was to
remain there until the messenger came
again. waited two hours, and then saw
the bartender pointing nc out to Span.
lard. lie beckoned to me, and | followed
him without word. We went through
lanes and bypaths, until / lost all idea Of
locality. Finally we came to a cabin,
when he motioned me to conc round by
the side, then he pointed to mo to look
through slight aperture.
Two men lay on the floor which was
covered with blood.
| saw at glance that one was Bill, and
the other bore the same face had often
seen In my dreams.
I thought at first that they were both
dead, but n low groan came from Bill, and
| rushed to the door. knelt down by
him and spoke .
II did not do it," said he, "but meant
to-"
1nskcd him no question, only II he was
able to be moved. -
ayes, but never mind.n