The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-05-07
A California story.

81 In the early days i'm Cariiornia
there stood mt the foot of the hill, not
many miles from Nevada, one of
those rough built gaming-hOuses so
common throughout the mining Sec
tions of the territory. A description
of this structure and its surroundings
will convey to the reader better
idea of the incident / am about to re-
late. The building contained but one
room, the entrance to which was sit
uated ut one end, with large adobe
fire place in the other end, nearly Op-
pOsite the entrance. On the large
stone hearth burned wood fire,
giving to the room q cheerful appear
ancc. On tho front, at tho right of
the entrance, was q well filled bar,
around which was cOngregated repre-
sentatives of different nations some
specializing on the success OF various
mining operations, while others were
discussing the general topics of the
day. "A long the rear side Ofthe room
extended Il row Of tables around
which WAS seated company of min
ers playing poker and stalking large
sums OF gold with as much GOODNESS
and apparent uncOnccrn as Ii they
were partaking of their evening meal.
A rude seat occupied the space around
the fireplace, and the front portion OF
the room beyond the bar. The cabins
of the settlers extended some distance
to the front of the spot, while the I'M
settled portion Of the country lay to
the rear.
The hill before mentioned rising
abruptly from this, thlckly interspcr-
sed with sage bush and thick bushes,
afforiing II temporary hiding place
for fugitives. AS the evening wore
on the patrons of the saloon became
more numerous, while the chiliness
of the atmosphere caused those most
Interested in the games at the table to
gather round the fire. The cOnversa-
tiOn which ut this time was becoming
animated, was suddenly interrupted
by tho entrance of tall raw-bOned
Yankee, bearing in his hand long
rifle around his waist he wore a belt,
from which was suspended powder
flask and bullet pouch.
Advancing TO the fireplace he de-
posted his rifle i'm the corner, and
after accepting the scat cOurteously
offered him BY one of the company,
he seated himself by the fire, resting
one elbow on his knee, and dropping
his chin into his hands, he sat gloom
ly watching the fire asif omemighty
grief was preying upon him. He
mumbled incOherently at times, and
sat without changing his position.
The attention Of the company was
called to the stranger, and all occa-
sional glances from those at the table
was directed to where he sat. He at
length broke ont into such lamenta-
tions as these;
81 am tired of life. My claim has
failed and l am without friends or
money. have not even enough to
purchase supper. / have been out
all day hunting, ami have killed
nothing"
He addressed no one personally, and
no one seemed to sympathiZe with
him in his disturbed condition. He
sat In silence q few minutes, then
raising his head he exclaimed:
- man may as well be dead as
out of luck. I will take my own
life.
Then taking from his side the flask
be unScrcwed tho cap from the top,
and poured from 1t into his hand
some apparently fine Hazard powder,
then pouring ii carefully back he re-
placed the cap, and screwing it firmly
on, yelled:
"Yes, j will die myself, and all
around me shall die also"
He then flung the flask upon the
burning Goals, The tumult that
followed was almost simultaneous
with the rash act OF the stranger.
The Yankee sat calm spectator till
the last occupant had made his exit,
then with the rapidity of lightning he
sprang to the tables and scraped from
them the shining piles Of gold which
had been left by the gamblers and
deposited them in his hat, escaping
through one OF the rear windows.
With desperate strides nc assembled
to the hill, and jumping upon fallen
tree, turned to survey the multitude
below. All were waiting brcathlessly,
watching the building, expecting
every moment that the contents of
the heated flask would blow it to
atoms, when the shrill voice of our
hero rung out on the clear night air
"Don't he afraid, gentlemen. There
Is nothing but black sand I'm tho cam"
Then springing from his perch he
disappeared among the chaparral,
completely eluding the pursuit of the
gamblers, who returned to the saloon
to find the tables all cleared of the last
vestige of their treasure.