The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-08-04

He was as teGder as 3 woman, was
Lumley, When | used to drop in ol
nights, occasionally. 10 lend hand to
watching, the sick mans eyes would
follow him about the room, in help
less, ,beseecbing way that was pitiful
10 see
Il vas only tie ghost OF Lumley 5
Pardner that got up from it, bat the
two we're always higher together al
ter that.
When LumIey got back to The
claim, and Lumley's Pardner was
Just able 10 crawl about, they came
into q wonderful streak Of luck
Lamley struck into a big pocket, and
there they were, in the turn Of 3 die,
rich men. Mining, after al, is 3
game Of ehanee-you buy your ticket,
but il does not always wiz; there
are plenty Of blanks 10 every prize
1t does not matter the exact
amount this prize netted, If l had
remembered l. Lamley was jubilant
over his pile, anxious 10 sell ont.
and leave the mines; 50 nobody was
surprised when his partner bought
him out for . good round sun. say
ing, IN bis quiet way, that be guessed
he'd stay and see the thing through
II was very quiet in camp the
morning that Lumley went away.
The boys we're sorry TO lose him, for
he had not any but well-wishers
among Us
Well, SIX month went by. and
then came a little white letter,
-scribedn il & dainty woman's had
10 Lumley's Psrdaer. The nan
treH 5led al ever Ike leaf when
il y = pat iato his hand, took it into
bis cabin, and shut fast the door.
Within the next half-hour he came
out again n 3 desperate hurry, sad
died his mule, snd rode Of down the
trail
Unexpected business vas his
basty explanation Could not say
how soon be might be back.
The news came 10 Is ct last BY 9
party Of traders, stopping to noon in
camp. Then 1 knew what those
marks OF weakness about bis mouth
stood fer; Lumley had never left the
city a. al. He had sat down to the
gaming table one night, and gotten
up from Ii the next morning poorer
than be had come into the mines
He had first Won, then los, and lost
2ad won again; and then that last,
total blank stared him in the face.
Lamley coald never giye up a.
.hst- lie must win il al back Luck
vas surely in store for him yet. He
haunted the gambling halls, playing
recklessly.: desperately, 50 long IS be
could win enough 70 keep the ball
rolling; pawning his watch, his ring,
even bis clothing. wien other re-
sources failed
So Lumley's Psrd1er found him
hesEy eyed, with seedy hasbiness ia
bis dress, marks Of dissipation on bis
fair vomanish face pretty neaTly
played ont individual.
TIE blood rushed al over his face,
for the msnliness vet left in him
could bat feel the shame Of that
meeting BuE there was no backing
out now. Lumlev's Pardoer took
him 70 one side.
1--WE heard Of you. old man. be
said, in his matter-of fact wav, "aad
I've come 10 see E1F cut Of this, How
much do you say vii clear you up.
and have q triae ahead.1
Lumley never raised bis eyes
@Old pard, " he answered, choking
up, you're a better friend than / de-
serve. Don't ask me 10 take snF-
thing from you went in with nv
eyes open, and, thanking you al
the same III have nobody's help
cut"
LumIey's Pardoer laid a bread
had on each Of the pi,ifally dropping
shoulders.
"0ld man, when that fever had me
down, I'd ha' gone under If il hadn't
been FOR you. 50 help ne God. I'd
rather ha' died than have taken what
l did az your bsnGs- Do you dare
deny me this snail -eturn nox2
What's 3 paltry sun q money be
tween you and ne, AID the little
mother waitin. al b '
Lnmley put down his head upon
,hai, and cried Ike . baby; the
ghich, If It be not manly, l Ike him
he better for. There are Gears, an 1
that are far from disgracing
sven the eyes Of man
I'm ashamed Of myself, through /
and through, for what's gone by"
we're LunIev's next words, "but / 4
ant give Il up now. Matters can't 4
e any worse, and there's q chance of
Perhaps tonight / shall I
Fin il all back"
There were the old IiIlfulness and 4
ride, and the new fascination Of the
,aming table. There was no turn
ng hin back, 10 moving him from
hat resolve
Lumley's PaTdner took him by the
.rm
Either way, I'm bound 10 see vou +
hrosgb, . he said Come"
So night after night, a. LunIey
layed, there stood Lumley's Psrd-
Ier looking on. with never a word Of
hat little white letter. bis answering
Or the two passengers on
'oard al ocean steamer bound for
california /,
Despite Lnmley's bopefulness, luck
ever turned. Il was the same fe-
-erish unrest and tedious waiting.
be sense Of degradation by day. and
/ night the brilliantly lighted gamb-
ing hell, the excitement, the fsscina- (
ion, trembling between hope and
the frequent potations
o steady bis shaking nerves, and, as
be night wore on, uncertainty deep
mig into failure and disappointment;
nd each morning LRmley,s Pardner
ed him slowly and silently away,
intil time wearing on, brought at
zst this appeal: +
"For Gods sake, old man, when
yin you let ups"
So help ne heaven. as soon IS /
,et back two thousand dollars, l
wear never to touch cards or dice