Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-10

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.1
always felt sorry for Lumley's Pardner
after that.
Well, for time, things went on In the
same old way. Then Lumley's Pardner
came down with the moutain.fe fever, and
Lumley nursed him through it. He was
as tender as woman, was Lumley
When | used to drop in of nights, occas-
lonaly, to lend hand at watching, the
sick mans eyes would follow him about
the room. in helpless, beseeching way
that was pitiful to see,
1t was only the ghost of Lumley's Pard-
ner that got up from it, but the two were
always higher together after that.
When Lumley got back to the claim, and
Lumley's Pardnr was just able to crawl
about, they came into wonderful streak of
luck. Lumley struck into big pocket,
and there they were. in the turn OF die,
rich men. Mining. after all, is game
of chance-you buy your ticket, but it
does not always win; there are plenty Of
blanks to every prize.
1t does not matter the exact amount this
prize netted, if / had remembered it.
Lumley was jubilant over his "pile." anx-
ious to sell out, and leave the mines; SO
nobody was surprised when his Pardner
bought him out for good round sum,
saying, in his quiet way, that he guessed
he'd stay and see the thing through.
1t was very quiet in camp. the morning
Lumley went away. The boys were
sorry to lose him, for he had not any but
well-wishers among US.
Well, six months went by, and then
came little white letter, 'scribed' in
dainty woman's hand, to Lumley's Pard-
rer. The man trembled all over like a
leaf when 1t was put into his hand. took it
into his cabin, and shut fast the door.
Within the next half-hour he came ous
again in desperate hurryss saddled his
mule. and rode off down the trail.
Unexpected busness?" was his hasty
explanation. Could not say how soon
he might be back.
The news came to US at last by party
Of traders, stopping to noon in camp.
ness about his mouth stood for; Lumley
had never left the city at all He had
sat down TO the gam!ng-table, one night
and gotten up from it, the next morning,
poorer than he had come TO the mines.
He had first won, than lost, and lost and
won, and won again. and then that last
total blank stared him in the face.
Lumley could never give up at that.
He must. win it all back! Luck was sure
ly in store for him yet! He haunted the
gambling-hells, playing recklesly. desper-
ately, so long as he could win enough to
keep the ball rolling; pawning his watch,
his ring, even his clothing. when other
resources failed.
So Lumley's Pardner found him-heavy
eyed. with seedy fashiness in his dress,
marks of dissipation on his fair, womanish
'ace-a pretty-nearly played-out individu-
Il. sN ss'ts
The blood rushed all over his face, for
he manliness yet left in him could not but
feel the shame of that meeting. But there
was no backing out now. Lunlley's Pard-
ner took him to one side. t5.s.
1--WE heard of you, old man" he said.
in his matter-of-iact way. "and I've come
to see you out of this. How much do you
say will clear you up, and have tri,le
aheadp" t2seaf
Lumley never raised his eyes. sf
"Old pard," he answered, choking up,
you're better friend than deserve.
vent in with my eyes open, and thanking
,ou all the same, III have nobodys help
,ut"
Lumley's Pardner laid broad hand on
ecch of the pitiiully dropping shoulders.
"Old man, when the fever had me down
I'd ha' gone under lift hadn't been for
you. So help me God I'd rather ha' died
han have taken what did at your hands.
Do you dare deny me this small return.
now? What's paltry sum of money be-
.ween you and me, and the little mother
waitin' at home P"
Lumley put down his head upon that.
and cried like baby: :. the which if it be
not manly. like him the better for. There
are tears, am thinking, that are far from
even the eyes of man.
I'm ashamed of myself, through and
through, for what's gone bv," were Lum.
ey's next words, "but can't give it up
now. Matters can't be any worse, and
here's chance Of bettering. Perhaps.
tonight shall win it all back"
There were the old willfullness and
pride, and the new fascination Of the
There was no turning him
back, no moving him from that resolve.
Lnmley's Pardner took him by the arm.
"Either wav Pm bound to see you
he said, Come"
SO night after night as Lumley played,
there stood Lumley's Pardner looking on.
with never a word of that little white let
ter, his answering message, or the two
passengers on board an ocean bound
steamer bound for California.
Despite Lumley's hopefulness luck new
er turned. 1t was the same feverish un-
rest and tedious waiting, the sense of deg
radiation by day, and at night the brilliant
y lighted gambling hell, the excitement,
he fascination, trembling betwixt hope
md uncertainty, the frequent potations to
steady his shaken nerves, and, US the night
wore on, uncertainty deepening into fail
Ire and disappointment; and each morn
ng Lumley's Pardner led him slowly and
silently away, until time. wearing on,
brought at last this appeal :,
"For Gods sake, old man, when VIII
you let up?"
$50 help me heaven, as soon as get
back two thousand dollars, | swear never
to touch cards or dice again. And Lum-
ley was dead in earnest this time. Still,
he would accept nothing from bis part
ner.