Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-05-08

breakfast, she glanced at Lion ard the
infant, rolling and gamboling togs.ber
in the deep. warm sand. "Never tould
bear enc, until Lion there, then oily a
half-grown pup saved my first laby.
lie Just weeny, toddling thing. got
out of the door. and down 10 the cresk
and the first thing l saw was the Dig,
bringing him out, strangled and dip
ping, IN his mouth. wouldn't part
with that dog for his weight in golal"
Whatever Lots inmost mind or Sc
cret repinings, his outward life bore
evidence of marked revolution 20
ward the side of fruitful and yirtueus
industry. No more loiterings at tasks
or levity of demeanor: no judicial
magnate ever clothed himself in dign.
ty and reticence more severe than
characterized Lot under the new adj
ministration. at whose head stood his
brisk little wife.
To us. the advent OF Lots wife
marked the commencement of new
era, wholesome food, tidy cabin, and
above all, no more darning of SOCKS,
or washing days. The wilderness had
/ begun to blossom. We even attained
to, now and then, the luxury of abi
ed shirt We were opening up new
I and richer vein in our claim, and pros
| perity and contentment smiled upon
! us.
1t was an evil day that dawned up
on our camp in the gulch, when one of
the boys, ten miles above us, turned
IN on his way to the city, almost pros
trate from sudden attack of mountain
fever, and with money TO pay a note
which had become due on quartz
mill. He wanted TO know if any of us
were going in, as he could make it
worth our while TO do the errand for
him, he remaining at our cabin until
the messengers return. AS it happen
ed, we were not intending to go for
several days, our stock Of supplies on
hand being considerable, and not hav-
ing enough dust TO pay for carrying to
the bank.
Lots wife, however, on learning the
state OF affairs, was observed TO CON-
munlcate some instructions to the ten
year old, who immediately ALT out" in
the direction of his fathers claim. A
few moments, and Lot himself came
liz. lie was willing TO accommodate.
and would go TO the city. His claim
wasn't paying him much and he might
as well look about little. All of
which familiar terms might have been
translated TO mean that his wife was
not at all averse TO earning the some
thing before intimated which should
make II worth his while" None of
us questioned Lots honesty, and we
made haste 10 get him of as soon as
possible.
1t was after nightfall of tho ensaing
day when he was seen riding fnriously
toward the camp, looking neither right |
nor left, batting neither breath nor
speed. until, opposite his own threshold /
he leaped TO the ground, dashed inside |
the cabin. and slammed to the door.
We had scarce time TO wonder at
this strange and unusual proceeding,
when there swarmed upon us a party f!
Of men-armed, and stern, members of |
vigilance committee.
Their errand was soon made known;
they were in pursuit of the unhappy |
Lot.
\ party instantly surrounded his |
cabin. Then the whole of the uniur- !
tunate affair came out. Lots spirit, |
released from its accustomed restraint. |
had rebounded like balloon that has |
thrown over its ballast. "Mariers' |
last words were useless as the wind |
against this sudden and overwhelming |
elation, born of renewed liberty. His |
journey Furnished him golden oppor-
tunity, though brief, for the renewal of |
those harmless indulgcnces of late SO /
religiously foregone.
\ chance acquaintance, met just in |
the edge of town, easily led the way to |
friendly tipple in the nearest saloon.
Ihls exchange of good-fellowsbip |
eventually resulted in many more,
under the combined influence of which, |
no Rothschild ever felt richer than did
Lot with the trust money in his hand. |
What occurred thereafter, passed to /
Lot like troubled dream. There was
vague remembrance of all hands at
the bar, scufile, pstol-shot or two |
and thea the mad race home, a trust
betrayed. the stain of blood upon his
hands, and the "Vigilantes" close upon
his heels
They were sure enough of him now
twelve men to one, and he trapped
like prairie dog in his hole.
Lion. the huge ST. Bernard, came
smelling at the garments of the invad-
ers. looking up with large, inquring
eyes. Half unconsciously, the leader
patted the rough head caressiaEly, as
it rubbed against his hand. The dog,
friendly TO the friendly, reared upon
his hind legs and placed his fore paws
on the leaders Notwithstanding a
half head taller than the man himself.
Meanwhile, neither sound nor light
came from Lots cabin. Lion, going
over pushed at the door with q low
whine. Speedily following, the leader,
with three of his men, knocked for
admittance.
straightway in the door appeared
Lots wife.
Gentlemen, what will you haveY'
"We have business with your hus-
band, madam. Will you ask him to
step outsider"
my husband is not able to attend
to business tonight" 3
"But our business is important, and
cannot wait. If he does not come out,
We must come in"
"Gentlemen you cannot see INV hus-
band to-nisht ht| Her voice was firm,
even decisive; perhaps q little more
decisive than usual.
The dog, crouching at her feet. gave
low growl.
"Woman, We have no time to handy
words (! Let US pass''
The dog rose partly up, with a