The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-05-25
Charles Protege.
a Curious Adventure in the
Mines.

Have any of my readers been 81
fortunate Cor unfortunately, as to hav
experienced all the vicissitudes ant
dangers of a miners life? If so, the,
will know how TO sympathize witt
my hero, in the following "o'er tru,
tale"
Charley Carroll was one of the mos
frank and open-hearted young fellow!
that it has ever been my good fortune
to meet. Always in good spirits, al
ways ready to assist a comrade, ht
was prime favorite with all the bet.
ter class of miners that composed the
multitude In our camp.
Charlie was a tall and handsome
man, of very muscular build, and
great strength he carried six-shoot.
Ell, as did all the rest, but he very sell
dom had occasion TO bring it into req
uisition, being quicker to use his fists
than to draw deadly weapon.
One nOontime, as Charlie and | were
on our way to our tent, l chafing him
as usual, III regard to letter he had
received few days before, and about
which he would not speak, the young
man turned suddenly to me, and said !:
'See here, my old friend, am in an
awful state of mind, and | must tell
you the whole story. AS soon as we
reaSh our tent, will remove all cause
for your chafl, and you will see why
L am worried, and why L have never
talked of the letters which l have re-
ceived,"
We traversed the remaining space
in silence, and after having finished
our coffee and lighted our pipes, my
chum commenced as follows:
'.My dear boy, l haye often told y on
that came here to win gold for set
purpose, and in redemption of vow.
L will explain my meaning.
''In the City of New York, there is
an old man who is possessed of large
wealth, but more than all, he is pos
sessed OF lovely daughter. Edith
Kelsey, the daughter of old Otto Kel-
sey, is my affianced wife. All that
human art in coaxing and persuasion
could do, has been done both by Edith
and me !; but in vain. Her father was
inexorable, and at last, with my dar-
ling girls promise of fidelity, 1 left
New York for these fields in the hope
of lucky stroke of fortune, for un-
less l can bring gold, old Kelsey
swears l shall not have Edith.
"Well, l am here, and as you know,
[ have not been unsuccessful. l have
prospered, and in few months time
can return to New York rich man.
"But here comes the rub!
Edith writes me that her perfidious
old sire has selected husband for her
among the numerous wealthy ward
politicians of the ghborhood. The
poor child writes me in despair, and
begs me to hasten home and save her.
She says that the man of her fathers
choice is rough, uneducated rascal,
and that all he has to recommend him
is his money"
81 have just written to Edith to tell
her that can hardly come just at this
moment, but have enclosed q draft
for a good round sum of money, beg
ging her to buy a ticket and come on
here, and that if she finds that impos
sible, TO run away from her father for
the time, until l can reach New York"
"'rhis is the course l have followed.
What do you think of il :"
l pondered over the matter, and
said:
MY dear Charley think you could
have gone and left affairs here TO me.
Can you not go as it is 7"
"No," he said, sent my letter TO
her over week ago, and we might
only pass one another on the way.
There is not much risk for her. She
will get acquainted with some miners
wives OIL the trip, and they will tell
her how 10 manage. Oh, | am not
afraid for my brave girl!'
This he said with apparent empha-
sis, but thought | detected IL false
ring in his voice.
However, little more was said on
the subject then, and Charlie and |
returne d TO our labor.
Time passed on and no further news
reached the lover concerning his
tiance. The young fellow was grow
ing moody and anxious, and did my
best to comfort him.
At last, suddenly starting up from
from the bench on which he had
been seated during our morning meal
he said:
See here, old ellow, 1 can't stand
ME any longer, L must go and find