Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-04-01

| "a BiCooiOus lHC vi uUiu9
good turn for the honest-hearted kindly
old man was ample compensation for lost
time--not counting 10 the look of graft.
tude he gave tkem as he retired from view
Uncle Tucker located a claim. had his
declaration filed. aud manlully went to
work. His first assay was encouraging ;
being reported as equal to ten dollars a
ton, which Uncle Tucker said it was the
best he had done III dogs age, and he
could afford to pat himself on the back
for 1t.
1t was right cheerful sight to see the
old man grnbbing away iu the warm sun
Iight-his bald head glisteuins with the
highest polish, and the clods of moist
earth flying III showers behind him. He
looked so happy and contented that those
about him would sometimes rest on their
picks to gaze ou him, aud when he looked
up they would fall to work again. The
women aud children loved Uncle Tucker,
and Sunday afternoons the old man would
take party oflttle ones, and they would
90 away upon the hills and gather huge
lunches of delicious grapes, whicc had
been planted by the Franciscan monks IA
century ago.
Uncle Tucker had been nearly year
at Poor Mans Gulch when another stran.
ger arrived. Not that it was unususl for
strangers to arrlve-and 90, too, for that
matter--but this was stranger Of i'm.
portance. IL was this way. Uncle
Tucker was working in his claim one cay.
when his eye caught a youthful figure
coming towards him, The figure seemed
to be that Of a boy Of about fourteen
years of age. He had a fresh, clear com.
plexlon, fine, dark eve, and black hair,
which fell iu curls upon his shoulders. In
his hand he carried small black bag.
and he had the appearance of having
Travelled from distance lie walked
straight up to the old man, who regarded
him III perplexty. He whispered to the
miner, who d'opped his pick, stared at
him moment in speeehless surprise, and
then clasped him 10 his arms 'Come all
the way from Down east tcw see his ole
uncle Come yero, boys. come yere
the boys "came," and Uncle Tucker ad-
dressed them thus:
"Yeres y. me, boys Hiram Tuckerl
An'yere's my nevvy, Joseph Tucker. come
all the way from Down Yeast tow see his
ole uncle!' and once more the delighted
old man embraced his found nephew.
met another stroke tew.day. Joe.
said he, shouldering his tools and taking
the hoy by the hand. "Come tew Hotel
lndepeDdendence an tell us all about it,"
And they moved off, followed by such ex-
clamations as "Fine boy I" Good luck,
ole hoss!" "Sarves ye right !" &c.
Arriving at Hotel Indcpendence.it was
found full Of children who were told BY
Uncle Tucker to run home and iel nam.
my that he had got a new nephew. The
ii, ed boy was laid upon the rudo bed and
then he told his story. What he said we
know not, as it was not intended for tile
general ear; we only know it was attend.
ed with some tears and great many con.
solatory remarks from Uncle Tucker.
Young Joe soon became favorite in
Poor Mans Gulch. His quiet, unassum-
ing ways and cheereful disposition won
HIM many friends. He hsd way, too,
of Frightening up the rough cabin, put
ting bunchcS of wild flowers here and
there. and making various useful orna-
mcnts. Games with cards were gradually
in Hotel independence, and in.
stead Jon read to the guests from books
which his uncle sent to s.Frisco" for.
Then sometimes thej would Joke Joe
about his moustache. which was yet to
come, at which joe would blush and laugh,
hough at his own expense. a.-r
Two years passed away. and then
young lady residing IN the Gulch took it /.
nto her head to fall in love with Joe. A
,hangc came over Uncle Tucker from the ,
ime OF the discovery Of this passion. He
lid not lose any of his good traits-he
vas the same good-hearted old man, but
lie was more silent. Some said things !.
lidn't pan out as they should; but that
,ould not be the reason. as he was getting
llong very we'll. Something weighed !;
leavily on his mind, at all events: and !,
Ice seemed to have the same frame of
mind as his uncle. This was source Of !,
|istress to their friends, as they would
ouiide IN no one, and so could not bo ad.
Used. oep r
Among the lower class at the Gulch Il
vas Mexica half.brocd by the name Of ]
Pedro, but called "Lobos' on account Of a
lis evil disposition. 1t had often been Q
roposed to drive him and his companions (
rom the camp, but through the wishes Of