The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-02-17
THE POSY OF SANDY GULCH.


was hard to understand why, for it was
full of rocks, apparently. There was
not sand enough visible to scour pan
but then, pans in Sandy Gulch were not
secured. There was deeply bronzed
and heavily bearded set of men, heavy
drinkers all; and there were no women,
at least until Phoebe arrived. Slim Jim
was the autocrat of the place; he kept
the New Orleans Saloon. Liquors were
dispensed in the front room, and faro in
the rear.
Phoebe lived ga smart piece" above
it, in rough place, half canvas and
half logs. What old Langsdale had
brought her there for no one could i'm
agine; she had been the only woman on
the ship when they made their weary
six-months' voyage from New York, and
now she was the only woman in Sandy
Gulch.
Phoebe was twenty-most girls are
pretty at twenty, if they are ever going
to be pretty; Phoebe had hazel eyes, and
ROUNDED, rose-pink cheeks, and the
prettiest pouting mouth in the world
The Sandy Gulchers thought her god
dess, and adored her accordingly.
Old Langsdale took the best of care Of
his daughter. When he moved his
claim he moved his cabin, too; and al
ways kept near enough for Phoebe to
hear the sound of his pick. When the
digging5 gave out in one place, the
cabin was "toted" to where they had
not given out. He never lacked help in
moving his cabin-there were always
plenty OF Sandy Gulchers anxious to
lend hand; they even quarreled about
it, and Langsdale obliged them to take
turns. You see, they called it helping
Phoebe"
There were not many loafers in camp;
the people had come there to make o
fortune, and could not afford to loaf; but
there were q few, O couple of Mexicans-
Greasers," the miners called them--and
two or three of the stamp of Slim Jim.
They were always busy enough at
night; in the daytime they hung round
the New Orleans Saloon, and they would
have liked to have visited Phoebe, but
old Langsdale would not have it. He
borrowed q pot of black paint and q
brush, and painted over his door,
"Nor1oK No LoAFKRs WANTED"
He thought that this would do, but
one day he came home and found Apo
doca there. Phoebe was sitting on an
empty butter keg, the rose-pink in her
round cheeks deepened little, and the
pouting mouth was as smiling as you
please.
Old Langsdale was mad; he called
Apodoca out, and pointed to the notice
on the door. Apodoca planted his feet
firmly on the ground, placed his arms
akimbo, and gazed intently at the letter
ing for some time; then, turning to
Langsdale, he said, in his politest ac-
cents
"No sabbee."
'You no read3" interrupted Langs.
dale.
''Me no sabbee read Inglis," replied
Apodoca, taking his sombrero from the
bush by the door which caught the hats
of most of Phebe's visitors; once in q
while hat was taken inside, If it chanced
to be new, and kicked under the table for
safe keeping.
"Well, said Langsdale, "I'n read il
for yer: Notice l'"-he said this in
laundering tones, which increased in
volume as he went on--"No loafers
wanted. That means, Git ! You sabbee
that 2'''
"Si, Senor," replied Apodoca, with a
aardonic smile, as, after most profound
bow to Phoebe, he placed his sombrero
on his head, and walked serenely away.
"I'll horsewhip that fool, Of ketch
him yere agin," said Langsdale, frown'
ing at Phoebe.
why, papa, don't blame me-" said
she, tossing her head; 81 couldn't tel
him to clear out"
You needn't have been so dreadful
sweet and smiling, though |" he replied.