The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-04-24

black hair, which fell IN curls upon his
shoulders. In his hand he carried a
small black bag, and he had the appear
ance of having travelled from a distance.
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 a moment in
speechless surprise, and then clasped
him in his arms. Come all the wav
from Down Yeast tew see his old uncle
Come yere, boys, come yere," The
boys ''came." and Uncle Tucker ad-
dressed them thus:
''Yere's, he, boys-Hiram Tucker.
An yere's my nevy, Joseph Tucker.
come all the way from Down Yeast tew
see ole uncle," And once more the de
lighted old man embraced his new-found
nephew.
Mot another stroke tew-day, Joe, 5"
said he, shouldering his tools and taking
the boy by the hand. ''Come to Hotel
Independence an tell us all about it :"
And they moved off. followed by such
exclamations as Fine boy" Good
luck, ole hoss,'' ''Sarves We rightr' &c.
Arriving at Hotel independence, it
was found full of children who were told
by Uncle Tucker to run home and tell
nanny that he had got a new nephew.
The tired boy was laid upon the rude
bed. and than he told his story What
he said We know not, as it was not in
tended for the general ear; We only
know that it was attended with some
tears and a great many consolatory re-
marks from Uncle Tucker.
Young Joe speedily became a favorite
in Poor Mans Gulch. His quiet, unas-
suming ways and cheerful disposition
won him many friends. He had a way,
too, of Frightening up the rough cabin,
putting punches of wild flowers here and
there, and making various useful orna-
ments. Games with cards were gradu-
ally abolished 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 moustache, which was vet
tn 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.
4 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 u Mexican half breed by the name.
of Pedro, but called ''Lobos" on account
of his evil disposition. 1t had often
been proposed to drive him and his
companions from the camp, but through
the wishes of Uncle Tucker they were
permitted TO remain. Better had his
kind interference been unheeded, for
the objects of his kind interference did
very little but sit in the sun and play
with their curious-looking greasy cards
One evening Uncle Tucker was re-
turning from his work when he met Joe
at the door, pale as death and all in
tremble. my boy my boy! what is the
matter" cried the astOnished old man.
Nothing, uncle; nothing of conse-
quence," returned Joe.
''But there Is, my son; yer pale and
tremblin'. Tell ole uncle"
"PedrO went in and frightened him."
squeaked youngster standing by.
Was he insultin' tew my bOyl' de-
manded Uncle Tucker, throwing his
tools to the ground.
Joe did not answer, and the now angry
man strode rapidly toward the back
shed. From there he procured heavy
blacksnake whip, and started down tile
gulch. He presently came upon Pedro,
lounging along but who saw him in time
TO lay his hand upon a revolver, which
was instantly wrenehed from him by tie
stalwart old miner. The blows from the
black-snake rained fast and heavy upon
the writhing victim; do what he could
he could not break from that iron grasp,
and he was only released when the arm
that welded the whip was thoroughly
tired out.
''Ther," said Uncle Tucker, throwing
him from him, ''cOme an insult my boy
agin, will ye! Ye yellOw-bellied scoun-
drel. What's thati Malidito! Ie will,
heyl Scoot now, git" And the half
breed moved off muttering.
''Some men mought er blowed his
head off for less; but thet's agin my
principles" said Uncle Tucker to the
assemblage, who were so taken aback at
seeing him in a rage, that no one lifted
hand to help him
my boy" said the old man that
night just before retiring, we've got tew
leave" Well go Yeast or strike fur
some other diggins on the Nevada side
It's hard tew leave ole friends, but we've
got to go, sonny"
'How would Japan do, uncle!"
Japan won't do, sonny. Iunderstan'
ther very much opposed tew furiners en-
thet kentry."
Uncle" said Joe, laying his hand af
fectionately on the old mans head, You
are unhappy on my account. l know
you are. and rather than put you out,
Joe will go back home-at least not
home-but will go away"
Ny child, said Uncle Tucker, laying
his hand on Joe's arm, don't We ever
speak thet way agin tew yer ole uncle.
In luck or out o luck, we're pardnerS.
What's mine is yourn, an what's yOuTn
is yourn. Favorite sister o. mines child,
Toe, an yer ole uncle loves We as he does
the apple of his eye. No, no; we'll light
out an go where no one knows us, an
start in different. You shell 20 tew
school, Joe, an yer ole uncle'lI see We
git a good eddication. Thet's settled,
my child. Good night" And drawing
the curtain that separated his bed from
the main room, he turned in.
The next morning Uncle Tucker was
off bright and early TO his claim; his face
wore happier look than it had worn
for some months. He had no apprehen-
sions of the half-breed, as he was a cool
ly brave man, and he did not think Pc
dro would molest the boy after the les
son he had received. Ii was his inten-
ton to sell out his claim, bid his friends
goodbye, and locate somewhere else.
Jimmy" said Uncle Tucker to a red
shirted Hercules who stood at his side.
''what'll ye allow for the claiml'
''Oh, sho! Uncle Tucker, replied JIM
my, you don't want TO sell out"
Don't know bout that, what'll We
givel"
to the old man.
"Yere's mer said he, turning to the boy
with his old smile.
Uncle Tucker. come up to the hotel.
quick! Somepins happen"
What is it sonnyl Fer Gods sake tell
me, Is it JoeZ'
Don't know, Uncle Tucker" replied
the boy; all know it, We heerd a n'se
in the shanty, and the mex thing some
one went by Oh the mule, maxim big
time"
Uncle Tucker waited to hear no mere,
but ran on for his house. There was
crowd at the door waiting for him. He
rushed in, and there, extended on the
bed, lay the lifeless form of his beloved