Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-09
NO. 214.
(From the Overland Monthly
LUMLEYB PARDNER.
a STORY OF EARLY CALIFoRyIA TiAEs.

STORY OF EARLY CALIFoRxIA TIMEs.
have forgotten the name he brought
with him from the tcs, for nobody here
ever called him anything else but "Lum.
leys Pardner."
We miners have familiar knack of re-
christening. and name once altered
| sticks to man as long as he sticks TO the
mines; SO, even after Lumley had thrown
up his claim and left the diggiugs, good
three years ago, Lumley's Pardner still
remained: finger post to trace the dis
tance back. After all, John Jones, or
Lumley's Pardncr. what mattered it, in
that doubtful tide of Immigration setting
in toward the wild regions. where the first
confidential question, after intimacy seems
to warrant the liberty, was invariably
Say. comrade, what was your, name be-
fore you came herep' s
You see, l knew Lumley's Pardner
when he first came into the mines. Twas
up at Woods diggings at the time he and
party of two or three more came around
prospecting. remember thought what
fine stalwart young fellow he was,
straight as young pine tree, and no fool
ishness about him either, for he had been
roughing it year or two down on the
Texas border. l never saw the boys more
downright pleased over new conner
than when he bought claim and went In
with us. He was not q man to talk much
about himself, nor one you would feel free
to question but their was honest square,
dealing looking out of his clear gray eyes,
for all the trouble and unrest laid up be-
hind them
Lumley was as different as man could
be. have often noticed that men take to
unlikes in mating among themselves, as
we'll as in choosing mates for life. He
came into the diggingsa week or so later,
and they some how fell in togather. Lum-
ley was what you might call an extra
clever fellow. He looked scarcely more
than boy--these fair-skined people never,
show their age-with his handsome wom-
anish face, bright blue eyes and trim
built figure but had confidence until you
could not rest. plenty Of the gift of CAB.
and something about him-people call
it magnetism-at least, when you were
with him you believed just as he did and
then wondered at yourself atterward for
doing it. ~
Lumley always had knack of twisting
folks round his little finger, for all that
the lines Of firmness were quite lacking
about his mouth. Lumley's Pardner, now
with his close-set lips. and square massive
jaw-you might as well hope to move
mountain as him against his will. He
would be strong to do or bear; you could
easily see that. 4H@As
do not know as it was exactly fair 1
never meant to evesdrop, but It happened
in this wise: One night l went over to
Lumley's shanty-it was amazing strange
now soon his name got tackled to every
thing-to see about a broken pick he want.
ed mended. As | opened the door. saw
there was no one in, and being tired with
my day work, dropped down on log
just outside, lit my pipe, and sat leaning
against the pine boards waiting for Lum-
ley to come back l guess l must hare got
drowsy and fallen asleep, for the first thing
heard was voices, and Lumley's Pardner
speaking out bitter and short, In a way he
seldom spoke. s$a $as
81 reckon its no use to ask if there's any
letters come to my name, he said, 'sthere
is no-one TO write to me-" s@@@ a@a'
/ rubbed open my eyes and saw two
CLEANS OF light streaming through the
open door and the one window, and then
l knew Lumley and his Mate had passed
by and never seen me in the twilight.
Raising myself up, I saw Lumley through
the window, sitting down to the pine table
beside tallow dip. with two or three let
tiers lying before him, and one open In his
hand. Then it flashed across my mind
that one of the boys from camp beyond
had gone in to the station and was due
with the mail that nighg. ~~@~s~
Lumley's Pardncr satoser the far side
of the table with = gloomy look in his eye
Being in the same boat myself, l knew
how lonesome it was never 10 have news
from home, and wondering how manly,
fine looking fellow like him should be
without wife or sweetheart wait
ng with woman's pride in him some
where.
Lumley was busy reading his letters. /
thought had better stay outside. He
was that intent at first that he seemed not
to have heard the others words. but alter
moment he lifted his face with one OF
the proud. bright looks that were Lumley's
own. "Ay, comrade!" he cried, cheer
lily; "and don't tell me it isn't your own
fault. Don't dare envy ME my wife and
child" taH
There was no reply; but saw a bitter
sorrowful look on the face Of Lumley's
Pardner, and stood and watched and
pitied him. heard Lumley read aloud
words of love and trust. and of happiness
in him and the child. He might be weak
man, but he loved the woman and child.
From the last letter dropped carte de
viste. Lumley caught 1t up with boyish
eagerness.
"Old pard." he cried, "you shall see my
two treasures. Here they are--Lulie and
the boys!n
He tossed the picture across the table.
The other picked it up. saw man die
once. stabbed through the heart. just
such look came into the face OF Lumney's
Pardner, as he glanced at that picture In
his hand. Lumney, bending over his let
ter. never saw it. When he had finished
reading. he held out his hand. The other
did not even raise his eyes, but kept them
fixedly on what he held.
II. too, once thought to have wife and
child" he muttered presently. less to
Lumley than to himself
The words. following that iook. were .
whole book OF revelation TO me. Happi-
ly, Lumney did not notice. His face
showed some surprise, mingled with that