Smyrna times., 1876-03-08

| S'S W OUlH uOWn Ine par. When
got to the fiat, they scooted over the tree.
tops all in body on to Pine Blanco Hill
Then | cussed, for knew it was notbino
but the snakes. Can't fool me now:
About two years previous Dick, with the
usual good luck Of drunken miner. which
In California used to be proverbial. had
struck "pot-hole :; on the river bank
overlooked by the earlier miners. from
which he had taken several hundred dol
lars. Returning after dark in companv
with Myers from Saloda-a small minino
camp, which he had visited for the purnosn
OF exchanging his dust for coin-the latter.
IN one OF his brutal fits of rage, had set
upon old Dick and pummeled him until no
became insensible. Dick was left lving
upon the trail near Rocky Point, a steep
decllylty bordering the river. Dicks cabin
was vacant next morning and many other
mornings. None troubled themselves
about him; none save Myers knew that he
hao ever been near the Bar again since
leaving 1t to exchange his dust. Myers
naturally concluded that he had fallen into
the river, which was then swollen from the
melting snowbanks on the upper Sierra.
DICK passed into the history of the Bar
None ever expected to see him again.
But Dick, blind and stupid from the com.
oined effects of rum and the beating given
INN had indeed slipped into the river, was
carried in very few minutes a connie of
miles downstream, eventually struggled out
on the bank, and, still dazed and bewiI-
dered, travelled all night wherever his legs
carried him. At daybreall he found him.
self on the Stockton stage road. His belt
full OF coin was about his body; the STAGE
was passing him on its way to the CITY. he
nailed and got on board, concluding it TO
DC good time (now that he was TINS cut
adrlft from Sweets Bar and the irresistible
influence OF its whisly-shop) to see the
world. lie arrived in Stockton DRINK
lie arrived in San Francisco drunk. He
was lhdustrlously drunk during his whole
stay there. His observations of the Pacific
metropolis were confined for few davs 70
the four walls of low drinking den TO fulI
and soberty in the forecastlo
Of cllpper-ship bound to China: he fonnd
himself in the grasp of brawney second
mate, who was dragging him up the com.
panlon stairs, and with kick sent him 70 !
his first maritime duty. Dick had been
shanghaied.' lie drifted about the
NINA seas for awhile, finally found his wav
pack to San Francisco, and immediately
started on foot for his old home at Swett's
the dearest spot now to him on the whole
'arth since there was liberty, a living and
comparatively light work. Arriving at
'aIoda, seven miles distant, he had exnen.
led ms sole remaining capital in the DUR.
hase OF bottle of whisky to celebrate tho
eturn home of the prodgal son. This he
rank on the road. Stumbling on the
raVe-yard, in drunken freak he had
lambered over the palings, stretched him.
elf between two graves, and counting slum. ,
er Tor few hours, had'awakened to rean. ,
ear just as Myers and myself were abont ,
lootlng each other. Myers was overcome
seeing one supposed victim rising from {
ne earth, and probably feared that Leffinp. ,
ell might follow. He was never seen ,
bout the locality again. His prestige was t
one. Old Dick was afterward known &c ;
myers Ghost and am still John Cum {
lmgs.-Prenticc nu!ford in Ocerlqnd Month =
/.