Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-05-03


Tsmkins, the newcomer, or "Lot," as
he was familiarity called, was a character.
Originally New Hampshire man, and
shiftless as only degenerate 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 "El Dorado" Fated
to 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, abounding in legendary lore, and
rich in store of quaint old-time ballads. In
the beginning of his life with us, he might
have been often heard hilariously chant
ing in ahigh-pitched nasal tsne -
"The sand with gold dust Is thick,
Ho, boys, hoi
Pick up Jumps as big as brick,
OF Californy goldl'
Humorous, easy, and with q strong dash
of egotism, combined with persistent good
nature and lively credulity-such was
Lot, as we first knew him at the mines.
Eventually, however, his enthusiasm died
out; for, as Lot himself feelingly ex-
pressed it,: "The darn thing was e'en-a-
most gin eoutI''
As have before stated, for some rea-
son best known to himself, Lot had con-
sidered it expedient to remain behind, at
the time his partners abandoned his claim.
Our explanation of this was, that to his easy
disposition it seemed less difficult to "bear
the ills he had" than to subject himself
not Of" Subsequently,, however, consid-
erable additional light was thrown on the
subject.
One afternoon-it might have been
three weeks after the exodus Of Lots
partners-one of our neighbors, engaged
in mining three miles further up the
gulch. reined into camp on his way back
from the city, where he had been to de-
posit his dust in the Miners bank, and
get out lot of supplies.
"Halloo! George! Chris Here are
letters for you ~ he cried, tossing US the
welcome missives.
Lot, lettering up, with quizzical smile,
perpetrated his standing joke -
"Wall, saay, We amt got nothin' fur
me, now, amt ye?'
mo, guess not" returned the other,
with peculiar twinkle beneath his bushy
eyebrows? "but thar's a woman an four
small children en- the way, asking fur just
sich looking feller as you"
Lots jocularity vanished in an instant !;
his jaw dropped, and with visible agita-
ton he blurted out:
"Come, naow. none of yer foolin'! Ye
don't pull that on with NE ~
i" Fooling? Nary time! It's sober
truth"
A sickly pallor swept over the mans
countenance, and he seemed to shrink
within himself until dwarfed much below
his usual dim'nutive stature.
"What? what's that yeou say?" he
stammered wildly.
ar coming this way, searching for hus-
band and father"
How fur behind?" gasped the anxious
Lot, whose legs were fast getting tremu-
lous under him.
"Oh, a matter of three mile, or there
abOuts!" and with a nod and knowing
glance, and "No further news, BOYS -
to us, the little mule, answering the spur
of his rider, struck into a brisk gallop.
which speedily carried them both out of
sight.
There we stood, inquiringly facing Lot.
He gulped awhile; but finally out with
it:
1.-THE fact is, boys-I'm married !"
And with this lucid explanation, Lot,
with rapid and somewhat unsteady step,
disappeared within his cabin.
Afier a few seconds, he hastily emerged,
bearing in his hands pack Of thumbed
and greasy cards, set of dice, several
worn "dime novels" and an old " Com.
ique Songster."
81 guess, boys, l shan't need these any
longer" he said, flushing painfully-al-
ternately standing on one foot, and then
shifting his weight to the other; 80 i
thought I'd clean 'em eout. Some wim-
men folk is pertickerler, ye know"
Chris took the articles, and offered to
keep them for him.
"Wal, If ye've mind to. I'd be much
obleeged to We. 1t mought be possible
barely possible, We knOw-they'd come
handy some time" And Lot, his neck
just bending to receive the yoke, looked
forward with vague expectancy to a dim
chance of future release.
Plying the poor fellows evident dis
c0mfiture, we refrained from joking or
questioning him, and impatiently awaited
those looming events" which had so un-
mistakably 'cast their shadows BEFORE"
Just at sundown, novel train was seen
vending its way toward the camp. Lot
stood in the door of his cabin, while we,
drawn together little in the background,
watched for developments. In advance
rode figure in female apparel, perched
upon the back of gaunt pack-horse, a
child, just past the threshold Of infancy
clasped by one arm, and another, also OF
tender years, sitting astride the pillion,
its limited embrace aspiring to encircle
the maternal waist. A tri1e in the rear
came rough mountaineer, in the capacity
of guide, sandwiched between two chill
dren of larger growth. the elder OF
whom could not have exceeded the age OF
ten years. A monstrous dog of the st.
Bernard breed formed, successfully, flank
and rear.
Checking the beast within few rods OF
us, the woman gave keen, scrutinizing
glance around. which rested at last fixedly
upon the countenance of Lot.
"That's him!" she exclaimed, In a
strong, decided, though not unmusical
voice, nodding significantly to the guide.
"We'n STOP"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing
the arms of the other from about her
waist, down she slid, 1.-THE as a young
girl; and in twinkling had the three
children. on their feet, and the young
est transferred to the arms of the ten-year-
old.