The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-15

l have forgotten the name he brought
with him from the States, for nobody
here ever called him anything but
'Lumleys Pardner'
We miners have a familiar knack OF
notwithstanding, and II name once altered
sticks to man as long rs he sticks to
the mines; so, even after Lumlcy had
thrown up his claim and left the dig
gings. good three years ago, Lumley S
parlner still remaining, tinger-post to
trace the distance back. After all, John
Jones. or Lumley's par,lner, what mat
tered it in that doubtful tide of immi-
grafton setting in toward the wild
regions, where the first confidential
question. after intimacy seemed to war
rant the liberty, was invariably, ''Sa-ay,
comrale. what was your name before
Won came here?'
You see, | knew Ihimley's pardner
when he first came into the mines.
was I'D at the Woods Diggings ut the
time he and IL party of two OF three more
came around prospecting. l remember
] thought what II fine stalwart young
fellow he was, straight rs II young pine
tree. and no foolishncss about him either.
for he had been roughing it a year or
two down on the Texas border.
| never saw the boys more pleased
over IL newcomer than when he bought
n claim and went in with us. He WAS
not a man to talk much about himself,
nor one YOU would feel free to question;
but there WAS honest sqnarc-dcaling
looking ont of his clear gray eyes, for
all the trouble and unrest laid up behind
them.
I.umlcy was rs different as IL man
could be. have often noticed that men
take to nnlikos in mating among them
selves. as well as in choosing mates for
life. He came into the diggings week
or two later, and they somehow fell Ill
together. Lumley was what you might
call an extra clever fellow. He looked
scarcely more than II boy-thcsc fair
skinned people never show their age-
with his handsome, womanlsh face,
bright blue eyes. and trim built figure;
but he had something about hin--l
believe call it magnctism-at least, when
Won were with him you believed Just as
he did, and then wondered at yourself
aftcrward for doing it.
l.umlcy always had Il llnack Of twist
ing people around his finger, for all that
the lines of iirmness were quite lacking
about his mouth. l.umley'S pardncr,
now. with his close-sct lips and square.
massive j..w. You might is well hope to
move IL mountain as him against his will.
He would be stronger to do, or to bear:
you could very easily sec that
| don't know rs it was exactly fair, |
never meant to caves,lrop, but it hap
pcned III this wise: One night | went
over to Lumlcy's shanty-it was amaz-
ing strange how soon his name got
tackled to cverything-to see about II
broken pick he wanted mended. l used
to do the smithing in those days. AS l
opened the door, / saw there was no one
in, and, being tired with my days work,
l dropped down on Il log just outside,
lit my pipe, and sat leaning back against
the pine boards waiting for Lnmley to
como back. l guess must have fallen
asleep, for the first thing beard was
voices, and Lumlcy's par.iner speaking
out bitter and short, i'll Il way We seldom
heard him speak.
"Ireckon it's of no use to ask if there &
any letters como to my name" lie said.
'Theres no one to write to me-"