Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-24
LOTS WIFE:
AND NOW SHE SAVED HIN.


began 10 diminish; somehow IL didn't seem to
s.PaH out" well. Our scanty washings of dust
grew scantier every day.
There was little chance for romance in the life
We led. We worked hard in the ''diggings" all
day, taking our cold snack at noon: and morn
ing and evening stock turns in our culinary
duties, and the keeping of our little shanty.
pom washing days-''few and far between
after wrestling nightly with soiled garments
and creek water, augmenting considerably
therein the alluvial deposit. we were wont to
lounge IN triune council. smoking our pipes OF
peace, ard viewing cOmplscently our renovated
apparel dripping and swaying upon the tops
Of the HeighbOring brush
The surrounding claims with the excep-
lion OF one adjoining, had been worked out and
abandoned long ago; but with pertinacity
born OF necessity. had chung 10 ours. We
had I,ut in everything We had, here; and IL must
lie a hard struggle which should cause to
throw II all il up, and leave empty handed.
The boys IN the next claim were either ''harder
mp OF more easily discouraged than we, for
after trying in vain to sell out they abandoned
their claim and left the mines entirely-all but
one man. who, for some reason best known to
himself. decided TO remain behind.
There were mother occupied .'claims'' within
space OF three miles; and our nearest point of
obtaining supplies being days journey out,
one can easily imagine that in our isolated stua-
fion the gam of a comrade was not a merely
nominal consideration.
TOInkiRs the newcomer, or "IOt," a. he
was Familiarity called, was a character. Origi-
nally New Hampshire man, and shiftless ~
only a de generate scion from the thrifty New
England stock can be, he had emigrated from
the Gland of steady habits" first to the west ,
and from thence to our American '' FL Dorado
Fated 10 disappointment, he had drifted about
hither and thither, led BY one freak and
another. until finally he had settled down in the
mines. Lot was a famous stOry-teller, abound
ing in legendary lore, and rich in store of quaint
Dld-time ballads. In the beginning of his life
with Us. he might have been often heard hlar-
iously chanting, in high-Pitched nasal
10ne:
The sand with golden dust is thick,
HO, boys, hOl
Pics nv Jumps as big as a brick,
OF Californy gold"
Humorous. easy. snd with a strong dash Of
egOji>m. combined with persistent good nature
and lively eredulity-such was Lot, as We irst
knew hin, at the mines. Eventually. however
his enthusiasm died out; for, as Lot himself
feelingly expressed it: The darn thing was
e'en-a- most gin eout.''
As have before stated, for some reason best
known 20 himself, Lot had considered it expedi
INT to remain behind, at the time his partners
abandoned the claim. Our explanation of this
was, that 10 his easy disposition it seemed less
difficult to "bear the ills he had" than TO subject
himself to the eyertiOn of seeking those he
'knew not Of Subsequently, however, con-
siderable additional light was thrown upon this
subject.
One afternoon-it might have been three
weeks after the exodus OF Lots partners-One OF
our neighhors engaged in mining three miles
further up the gulch. refined into camp on his
way back from the city. where he had been to
deposit his dust in the Miners bank, and get out
.'HsllOO. George, Chris. Here are letters for
you. he cried, tossing us the welcome missives.
Lot; lettering up with quizzical smile perpe-
frated his standing joke
well, sasy. We amt got nothIn' fur me, now,
amt ye:''
mo. guess not returned the other. with
peculiar twinkle beneath his bushy eyebrows:
'sbut thar's woman an four small children on
the way. asking fur just SIGH a looking Teller
YOU
Lots iocularity vanished in an instant; his
Jaw dropped. and with visible agitation he
blurted out -
Come. nsow. none of yer foolin- We don't
pull that on with me,''
"Fooling? Nary time, It's sober truth"
sickly pallor swept over the mans cot. :te-
nance, and he seemed to shrink within himself
until dwarfed much below his usual diminutive
stature.
What: what's that yeou say?" he stammered
wildly.
al say woman an four small children ar
csming this way, searching for husband and
father
sHow fur behind?'' gasped the anxious Lot,
whose legs were fast getting tremuious under
sob. a matter OF three mile, or thereabouts.'
and with nod and knowing glance, and mo
further news. boys to US, the little mule, an
s~ering to the spur OF his rider, struck into
out of sight.
Eulped awhile; but finally out with it,
THE fact Is boyS-Tm married,' And with
this lucid explanation, LIT, with raIid and
somewhat unsteady step. disappeared within his
After a few seconds, he hastily emerged, bear
ing in his hands pack of thumbed and greasy
cards a set Of dice, several worn ''dime novels
and an old "COmique SOngster."
81 guess, boys, i shant need these any
longer" he said, flushing paintully-slternately
weight 10 the other; 80 thought I'D iist clean
.em eout; Some wimmen folk is pertickerler,
Chris took the articles, and offered TO keen
them for him.
wal, il we've a mind TO. I'd be much OBJ
LEGGED to We. 1t mought be possible-barely
possible, We know-theyd come handy some
time" And Lot, his neck Just bending to re-
cetve the yoke, looked forward with q dim ex-
Ieetsncy TO dim chance OF future release.
Ptying the poor fellows evident discOmit-
IRE, we Iefrsined from joking or questioning
hin. and impatently awaited those looming
events" which had 80 unmistakably "cast their
shadows before"
just at shutdown, a novel train was seen wena
ing it, way toward the camp. Lot stood in the
door of bis cabin, while we, drawn together a
little in the back aground. watched for develop
ments. In advance rode a figure in female An
IaIel, rerched upon the back of a gaunt pack
horse a child just passed the threshold of N
fancy, ciasped by one arm, and another, also of
tender years, sitting astride the pillion its
limited embrace aspiring TO encircle the mater
nal waist. A tribe in the came a rough
wiehed between two children OF a larger growth.
The elder OF whom could rot have exceeded the
age OF ten years A mOn>trous dog of the ST.
rear.
Checking the beast within few rods of US.
che woman gave keen scrutiniz ing glance
Ground, which rested at last fHedly upon the
maintenance Of Lot.
.That's him." she exclaimed in strong. de-
0Ioed, though not unmusical voice, nodCilng
significantly TO the guide 'We'n stop"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing the
rms OF the other from about her waist down
De slid, 1.-the as a young girl; and in twink
ing had the three children on their feet and
NC youngest transferred TO the arms OF the ten
1ear-od.
Lot waited in an apparently detected mood.
Shile she settled With the guide from her own
pocket, With business-like dispatch. Then she
~ her little brood, followed closely by the dog,
- 20 the door Of our neighbours cabin.
"Weli, Lot, we've come
al see you have, Marier.'
And the door closed upon Lot and his family
On the ensuing morning we were able to ar
rive NJ more correct estimate Of the new
conner, whe early introduced herself to US as
Lots wife," She was OF fair Complexion.
short In stature; and very slim about the waist.
Her thin naxen hair WAS drawn smoothly hack
\ n ON prominent forehead, and fastened in n
q ght button-like knot AZ the back Of her necf.
i. kesfless blue eyes, q sharp nose, thin cheeks
Ind . frm, large mouth, flled with even vhifs