The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-04-25


flying in showers behind him. He looked
so happy and contented that those about
him would sometimes rest on their picks
to gaze on him, and when he looked up
they would fall to work again. The wo-
men and children loved Uncle Tucker, and
Sunday afternoons the old man would
take party of little ones, and they would
90 away upon the hills and gather huge
punches of delicious grapes, which had
been planted by the Franciscan monks
century ago.
Uncle Tucker had been nearly year at
Poor Mans Gulch when another stranger
arrived. Not that it was unusual for
strangers to arrive-and go, too, for that
matter-but this was a stranger of import
ance. It was this way. Uncle Tucker
was working in his claim one day when
his eye caught youthful figure coming
toward him. The figure seemed to be that
of boy of about fourteen years of age.
He had fresh, clear complexion, fine,
dark eye, and black hair, which fell in
cur1s upon his shoulders. In his hand he
carried small black bag, and he had the
appearance of having Travelled from dis
lance. He walked straight up to the old
man, who regarded him in perplexity. He
| whispered to the miner, who dropped his
pick, stared at him moment in speech
less surprise, and then elasped him in his
arms. ''Come all the way from Down
Yeast tew see his ole uncle! Come here,
| bows, come herei" The boys" 9" came,"
| and Uncle Tucker addressed them thus
Yere's me, boys-Hiram Tucker! An
yere's my nevvy, Joseph Tucker, come all
| the way from Down Yeast tew see his
ole uncle!" And once more the de-
| lighted old man embraced his new-found
nephew.
| he, shouidering his tools and taking the
boy by the hand. "Come tew Hotel Inde-
pendence an tell us all about it." And
| they moved off, followed by such excla-
nations as Fine boy n's Good luck, ole
hoss " "Sarves ye right - etc.
Arriving at Hotel Independence, it was
| found full of children, who were told by
| Uncle Tucker to run home and tell MAN.
my that he had got new nephew. The
| tired bov was laid upon the rude bed, and
| then he told his story. What he said we
know not, as it was not intended for the
general ear; we only know that it was
| attended with some tears and great
many consolatory remarks from Uncle
| Tucker.
Young Joe speedily became favorite in
| Poor Mans Gulch. His quiet, unassum-
ing ways and cheerful disposition won
him many friends. He had way, too, of
Frightening up the rough cabin, putting
punches of wild flowers here and there,
and making various useful ornaments.
Games with cards were gradually abol-
ished in Hotel independence, and instead
Joe read to the guests from books which
his uncle sent to " Frisco for. Then
sometimes they would joke Joe about his
mustache, which was yetto come, at which
Joe would blush and laugh, though at his
own expense.
Two years passed away, and then a
Young lady residing in the Gulch took it
into her head to fall in love with Joe. A
change came over Uncle Tucker from the
time of the discovery of this passion. He
did not lose any of his good traits-he was
the same good hearted old man, but he was
more silent. Some said things didn't pan
out as they should but that could not be
the reason, as he was getting along very
well. Something weighed heavily on his
mind, at all events and Joe seemed to be
in the same frame of mind as his uncle.
This was a source of distress to their
friends, as they would confide in no one,
and so could not be advised.
Among the lower class at the Gulch was
a Mexican half-breed by the name Of
Pedro. but called s'Lobos on account Of
his evil disposition. 1t had often been pro
posed to drive him and his companions
from the camp, but through the wishes o.
Uncle Tucker they were permitted to re
main. Better had his kind interference
been unheeded, for the objects of his gooC
offices did very little but sit in the SUI
and play with their curious-looking, greasy
| cards.
One evening Uncle Tucker was return
ING from his work when he met Joe at tn,
| i oil q f1nr
| ssMy boy my boy! What is the matter?'
, cried the astonished old man.
Nothing, uncle; nothing of conse
/ quence," returned Joe.
"But ther is, my SON; yer pale ant
: tremblin'. Tell ole uncle"
, PEDRO went ID and frightened him,
> squeaked youngster, standing by.
WAS he insultin' tew nv boy?n de
manded Uncle Tucker, throwing his tool
a to the ground.
Joe did not answer, and the now angr
E man strobe rapidly towards the back sheo
e From there he procured heavy black
: snake whip, and started down the gulcf
e He presently came upon Pedro, loungin
i along, but who saw him In time to lay n
. hand upon revolver. which was instantl
i wrenched from him by the stalwart oil
t miner. The blows from the blacksnak
& rained fast and heavy upon the writhin
s victim; do what he could he could nc
! break from that iron grasp, and ne Wa
only released when the arm that wielde
|. the whip was thoroughly tired out.
= "Ther,'' said Uncle Tucker, THROWN
him from him, sscome an insult my be
g agin. will We? Ye yellow-bellied seoundre
d What's that? Malidto? Ye will, hey
V Scoot now, git!'' And the half-bree
moved off muttering:
It "Some men mought er blowed his hea
/ off for less; but thet's agin my prime
e ples,'' said Uncle Tucker to the assembling
IS who were so taken aback at seeing him
!, a rage that no one lifted hand to he
e him.
d "My boy" said the old man that nigl
!. lust before retiring, we've got tew leav
/. lWe'll go Yeast or strike fur some 9th
K diggin's on the Nevada side. It's hal
: teW leave ole friends, but we got tew g
d sonny"