Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-01-30

and yellow leaves, but stirred them quietly.
The experienced old dog thrust his nose
against every tree or stump as the journey
progressed, but no sharp bark of his an
nounced the presence of game.
On, on the solitary twain Travelled, until
they reached a small plateau covered with
green and waving grass. A clear and
sparkling jet of water came tumbling from
a rocky fissure, forming miniature cata-
ract, scd then it wound its way quietly
over the sandy soil aud through the fresh
green grass.
Gregory divested himself of his edIip-
ments, and sat nloadi!y down by the purl-
| ing streamlet, watching the little wavelets
as they danced over the pebbles. The
black vulture sailed majestically in the air,
and the fierce bird-hawk swooped noise
lessly through the underground in pursuit
off prey.
The solitude of the place impaired its
gloominess to the heart of the ill starred
farmer, and he began to think what
splendid spot it was for a man who was
tired Of buffeting the stormy pillows of life
to end his troubles. The bird that SCARED
! above him was free in the boundlcss space
around him. Oh, how he would ike to be
that bird
Again he watched the little stream of
water that made sad music at his feet.
The pebbles danced about in the golden
sand as the little wavelets came along.
Some of them were very bright and beauti-
ful, and sparkled brilliantly in the light of
day. He had heard that the Blue Ridge
mountains that walled the valley of the
Shenandoah contained inexhaustible min
eral treasures. Why might not some of
these treasures be under his groundsP
The sparkling pebbles danced on to the
soft music Of the singing brook. He took
one of them from its limpid home, and
placed it in the palm Of his hand, holding
it up to the rays of the sun. 1t emitted a
beautiful flood of prismatic colors-white,
blue and yellow light. 1t ,oos a diamond
it must be a diamond How could COM
mon glass get half way up the mountain
His heart beat quick. Those precious
stones had been washed from the bowels of
the mountain. Good luck had crossed his
path for once in his life, and he was made
man
He gathered several of the brillian.s,
none of them larger than pea but, for all
that hn ta1 thai,- rl-ot -
least one hundred dollars each.
With a light heart and busy imagina-
ton, he retraced his steps towards his
home. He had brought no game, it is true,
but he had secured the talisman that could
create the smiles of joy and gladden. the
weary heart.
Susan, you trudging chicken ~ exclaim-
ed he, as he placed his gun on the pegs,
where it usually rested, ''you shall work
no more; put down that dirty mop, seat
yourself on that rickety old chair, and lis
ten to me''
"Why, Gregory, have you killed deer?"
asked she, staring at him.
mo, not wild deer but am afraid l
shall kill my little home dear with th good
news l am going to give her," and as he
spoke he gave his buxom little wife hearty
kiss. Here, fetch me some cool water !;
I'm tired, and want a good pull Of whiskey
before make you as happy as l am.''
The good wife scowled little, bat it was
only little and she then brought him the
water in a gourd, and, when he had almost
emptied the flask, she handed him the wa
ter, IN order that he might quench the fire
that had gone down before.
"Now, Susy, my sweet duck, shut the
door,
She did so, wondering at the mystery
that surrounded him.
He then took from his pocket the seven
shining pebbles he had found in the brook,
holding them so that the light of the declin
ing sun might fall full upon them.
Susan's eyes dilated at the sight of the
sparklers. and she raised her plump red
hands in wonder and admiration.
They're splendid, amt they, wife p
asked the husband waving them in the
light; worth at least hundred dollars
apiece"
Mercy OH US, Gergory, where did you
get them ?''
"nlenty more where they came FROM"
was his proud reply land on my land,
too What do you think of that, old wo-
man p
Dear, dear, how lucky - replied she,
clapping her hands. Il told you sol
told you not to give up to despair. l said
there was a good time coming. Jennie
shall have new dress now.''
"Yes, a dozen OF them if she wants
them,'' said he, rubbing his hands ''and
what's more, she shall 60 to fashionable
boarding school, and Andy shall 60 t o col
! lese.'
Gregory and Susan built many air castles
that night, and formed many excelitnt
plans for the future. They were now i'm
mensely rich, and could afford to indulge
in the luXuries of life ; so an order was sent
TO the crOss-road store for groceries, dry
goods, and even a new carpet of modern
pattern. Gregory took care to let the
neighbors know that he had at least struck
| vein of good luck, and was, of course,
for the time being, 4 man of some conse-
qucnce. He did not inform them, how
ever, of the source from which his vast
wealth was derived ; no, he was too cum
ming for that.
The diamonds were placed away under
lock and key his bench aud working tools
were slowed away in the hay-lofs of the
stable and, having an unlimited credit,
the house was furnished with every luxury
Mrs. McCampbell held her head above
her neighborS, and Jennie sported a new