The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-09-29

viewed under the lens ~ AS own con-
ceit, assumed elephantine proportions
sam began 10 feel that he was no; APP
preciated. A bitterness and distrlst,
I hitherto latent, began 70 develop theln-
selves. From easy, nnirthful tranquility
OF humor, he merged into the veriest
grumbler IN the guich. This occasion
ed some rough sparring Of words with
/ the boys.
One morning as two Of the men were
making preparation 10 60 into the city
for supplies. sam Ross lOunged up, and
coolly announced his intention Il &C
sompanying them
- Got enough of pick and shovel, any
how,n said sam. swelling with = con
scious and Transforming pride. - Think
/ I'll wash up, take my pile and clear
the diggingsi" (He said ''clAr the dig
! gins."D
50, AZ last-grasPed from a threaten
ing presage OF Fate-Sam had treas
ure IN store, OF the nature 81 the
amount which he dignihed by the title
of " his pile. 4" none OF u received very
satisfactory evidence. l. msght have
been five hundred dollars; !; might have
been a many thousands. In either case
there was no living claimant Of the
source Of his wealth 10 dispute the right
Of his possession with him SANS old
claim, which he held in partnership, he
willingly abandoned 10 MS c0inTade-
With his newly gained treasure be-
slowed snugly inside the leaihern belt
which girdled his ample waist, sam sci
hopefully forward for the city There
he parted company with the BOYS, and
the old familiar places - knew him no
more"
From Frisco" sft5T a. interval,
came news of our old c0mrade. He
was usually 10 be seen about the gam
bling-tables, was flush Of money. drink
inc hard, and there were whispers
afiOat concerning a certain connection
to which neither law nor morality gave
warrant or sanction. The woman was
popularlv notorious character, had
once belonged TO the higher grade Of
society. and was still beautiful. fss-
cinating, and had retained something
OF that pervading unmistakable air u
I delicacv and refinement which Is the
born heritage of perfect ladvhoOd. and
I as impossible 70 catch or copy As the
fragile texture of q rOse-leAf, OF the in
tangible, drifting sublety Of lis odOr.
There was enough of womanly saint
illness yet lingering about the folds of
her garments 20 draw 3 sudden wonder
) into the faces of the men who looked
!, into her ewes. She, 10 have sold her
; divine birih-right for this mess II pot
. tage, This thing Of Beauty and the
!, Beast" i something We men can never
quite understand,
sam Ross was, physically. 8 noble
animal. By virtue II this doubtful no
bility. he was now clothed in purple
, and fine linen," and "fared sgmpiu-
ously every dayi" In the almost con
slant companionship II bl2ckieEs and
!, gamblers, sam was - going 10 the bad
= al a galoping pace,
! Another link in the chain 81 fatality
which seemed 20 surround C0-tr-li' I,
! claim,
( Meanwhile, al was going on prosper
Z ously AZ our camp In the gulch. Be
/ tween u, we had a considerable quan-
- titv Of dust ahead A. we also were
fast neariRg the end Of our supplies. 8;
r occurred 70 u 70 xiii two birds with
. one stsne''-viz., send in our gold for
} deposit in the bank. and recruit, * the
same time, our failing stores.
After some consultation. i was de-
: cided that Matt Blair should make the
trip. II was a days journey Out and
: another back. allowing the Necessary
time for transaction If business, and
, the road considered not one 81
= the safest. DepredAiions committed
( upon passing travellers by rowing noun
D Of rrrr
) usual occurrence. Two If the boy.
! commonly went together on such Occa
/ sions, but We had just got word The dAl
before from an old "Pard" Of Rics
! Matthews, who was coming back .
camp, 70 meet him In the CITY. HAyin-
: his assistance back with the supplies, ]
D seemed needless to break up another
a two days work. With proper caution
: we really felt that there was little e2us'
e for apprehension.
! In tolerable season, therefore, Mat
started off. freshly primed with order
/ for the city, the dust placed for SAT
i conveyance inside a broad leather
o belt which he wore next his person
: His road mere bride pafh-lay alOni
q the mountain side. thicket Of low ~
ergreen oak bordering each side III
a beaten track. from which, 81 intervals
II ran out side-Paths, some leading high
a er up, and others following the descen
Ie into the canyon below.
lie The scene was one Of grandeur an
h sublimity; but Matt Blair, absorbed j
a wearing arithmetical calculation Z
% the ratio existing between certain ounce
II of ''dust" reTstts ditto pounds Of tObaC
D, CO. kept up At a good pace for "a
re third of the distance II the journey