The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-02-17
THE RIVAL MINERS.
BY "PIoNEER." /"

BY "PIoNEER."
Bold mountain scenery, such as we can
find only in the wild regions of the
West; giant rocks hanging from jutting
cliffs; tall pines rising from the depths
of the canon, and silver stream leaping
down toward the valley over a rocky bed.
MIA, is always looked upon as the reposi-
tory of nameless wealth. Uponit banks
looking at it with keen and searching
glances, stood two men, in the rough
garb SO much affected by the miners
Both were young; but there was a GER
tain nameless grace about the manner in
which one of them wore even his rough
garb which stamped him as superior to
the other. Tfa
The second was one of those strange
men whose face is an enigma to a stran-
ger. A dark, passionate, restless eye
cold, calm face, an immovable mouth,
with thin, set lips; face which could
not be read. That of the first man was
an open look-the second was complete
cypher.
"Come, Conrad, rouse yourself, man."
said the taller of the two, in his frank,
merry way. "What do you think of this
stream for trialT'
alt looks WE'LL" replied the other in
sharp tone. 60 Yes, yes, we will try our
luck here to day. You must be in luck
you know"
ct will BE-" replied the other. "Why
do you look at me in that way? am
not certain what you mean by your
conduct lately. Upon my word, you
puzzle me-"
"Do l. Y' said the man, running his
white fingers through his long hair
again faith that is strange. Perhaps
you do not like my company, Senior
Charles Adams"
"Now look here, Conrad Villette," re-
piled Charley, Indignantly, "when say
l don't like your company, then, think,
it will be soon enough for you to kick.
l asked you to come up with me ON this
prospecting tour, didn't IW
eyes," he replied.
"Then don't have any foolishness
about not wanting your company. When
that time comes l will be the first one to
speak"
A few words will explain the chance
which brought Charles Adams and Con-
rad Villette to that silvery stream, in
the midst of that savage scenery. Both
had been working in the quartz mill at
the base of the foothills: but, miner-like,
they could not be content with the large
pay they received, and must try their
fortunes along the Sierras.
Close behind them, holding pack
mule by the bride, stood one of the op-
pressed race of China. This man was a
veritable son of the celestial land, and
sat upon his mule, under the broad hat,
with face as expressionless as sheet of
white paper, waiting for his lords and
masters, the {" Mellican men" to give
orders.
"Here, John," said Adams, signal
ing to him, "bring up the pack-mule,
will your
"Me sabbey," replied the Chinaman;
call good; me come"
Sliding slowly from his mule, he be-
gan to unstrap the heavy pack, and let
It slide to the ground. From this tent
was extracted and set up, but not until
poor John had received numberless
blows and an equally liberal number of
curses from Conrad, who seemed, for
some reason, to be very spiteful. John
bore his sufferings with patient
shrug," but strange glitter showed it
self at times in his dark eyes, when the
back of Vilette was turned.
at seems to me, Adams, that you must
have been gifted with sublime inspira-
ton to be able to pick out Chinaman
who knows nothing whatever"
"Me weally poor Chinaman," said
John, drawing long face; "send me
home"
"Not a bit of it," said Adams. "You
don't know how to treat a Chinaman,
Conrad. This fellow will do anything /
ask him, because don't misuse him."
"That is your way" hissed the other,
angrily; "you set yourself up as saint
and pattern to me. 1t is so in the viii
lage; all men look upon you as aprodigy
of talent and goodness; and the wo-
mem"
"WelI, what of the women H' said
Adams, seeing that he hesitated.
"Are foolsp replied Villette, fercely.
"Nonsense p said Adams; "you know
how little care for any woman save
one. Now the tent is pitched, let us sit
down upon the bank and talk while John
gets the things in order. You don't half
know what brought me up here, old boy.
I've got to make pile of money some
how, because I've got to marry Nellie
Crayer when am rich enough. You
know what Nellie is-the prettiest little
angel in Yuba county. OF coure you
know her. Now / think of it, you
used to tell me something of her when
we were in Angels Camp"
The face of the other was half turned
away, and his eyes were fixed upon the
flowing water.
"We were both poor" Charley con.
tinued, "Nellie and j, and 20 / couldn't
marry her when / first loved her, or she
would have been my wife a year ago.
But now her fathers struck that rich
ledge in Oregon Gulch and It's made
him proud, and he Gays the man that
marries Nellie must be as we'll of as she,
10 told her TO let me go and try my
luck in the Sierras. You ought to have
seen the tears in her eyes, and how her
little hands clnDg 10 my shoulder, when
we parted, the other day. 1t was sad
thing, Conrad; I wouldn't have it TO do
over again for any money. Poor, inno-
cent, trusting child she loves me dear
ly; aud IL would give my life for
herp g,es
Still Conrad kept his face avertcd, and
his cleaning eyes fixed upon the water
But his hand was clasping and unclasp
ing itself upon the long Spanish knife in
his belt, as II half inclined TO draw IL.
But he kept down the feeling, and started
to his feet with bitter laugh.