Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-08-20
like to hear a good story"

Why was 1t Oncle' Oily was so
much interested in these strangers p
ANY one standing on the boat as he
did when they leaped aboard would
have made the remark that he did,
but he knew the moment he heard
them call each other by name, that
they were from Vermont, and that he
had known their families well, for that
reason he was much interested in
them. Still he was willing to hear
what they had to tell, now that he
knew.
at isn't much of a story, Mr.. Fland-
ers. In the beginning, my name is
Charlie Farnham, and my friend here
is George Withers, His father is
a farmer, in easy circumstances, and
has given him good common school
education, besides q little practical
farming My father is a mechanic
and has taught me to shoe a horse as
well as any one of my age. We were
both born in the same month OF the
same year, and have always been called
twins from our close resemblance to
each other, and we have always borne
to each other the affection Of broth
ers, and are bound by traternal and
masonic ties"
That's right, boys, stick to each
other. I tell We, lads, teller needs a
brother out here, in California. Ye1l
see times, before ye leave this State
that ye will be as dear ter each other
as if born of one mother. Yes, boys,
stick to each other and don't let any
thing ! art ye. Stick to the light and
put yer t,ust in God, and my word for
it yell make yer mark in the world.
How the time has slipped away
Here we are within two miles OF
Sacramento-almost home. Never
made so quick a trip from Frisco
before, and | was goin' to show ye
where they catch the salmon, too, but
never mind. There is one place that
will never be forgotten by a Californl-
an; right down there where ye see
that long bit of Tulle is where the
boat Washoe bust her biler. That
was the worst thing ever happened in
this country. Pears Ike there were
some seven hundred folls aboard, and
less nor hundred come out alive
Yer see the fare was down to fifty
cents, and everybody took advantage
of it.
(NoTE.-The author does not dis
tiuctly remember the exact number on
board that night, for it was long
time ago, but he was on the other boat
YOSEMITE. He had a ticket on the
Washoe, and tipped four bit piece
(5Oc) with friend to see which boat
to take, and though he lost his fare he
probably gained his life.)
Twas hard to see the poor critters
scalded aud tom to pieces-twas cruel.
But here we are at last. | suppose
yer don't care where ye stop as long
as ye are strangers ?"
"No, sir. Lead on and we will
follow. We shall hencefolth look up
on you as our guardian"
"Thank ye, my lads, thank ye. I'll
try and not lead ye astray. Well let
!. the baggage be on the boat till day
light, for we shall be off again at nine
o'clock, and it's now two" Here
Uncle Billy took out massive gold
watch, which looked rather costly fol
a man of his cloth to carry. $50 ye
see we shall not have much more than
time to wash up, eat breakfast and
perhaps look round a little. Now, il
yer ready we'll 90 up to the Globe
tavern and see what we can raise for
breakfast, for I'm powerful hungry"
Let us leave them enjoying their
bountiful breakfast, and look in on
Uncle Billy's home.
On the road from Grass Valley to
Nevada and before you reach Eureka
mine, stands fine farm house, with
all the outbuildings necessary for the
comfort of man and beast, and this is
the home of Uncle Billy. The interi-
or was furnished with all the luxuries
and elegancies for his daughters en-
ljoyment. Gertie, the youngest and
the pet of the old miner, was neither
too tall nor too short, with bright
sunny face, which always bore soft
sweet smile, and had a kind word for
every one. Lottie, the elder by a
year, was the opposite of her fair sis
ter, with her ruddy complexion, ruby