The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-10-10
HANDSOME JACK.

Sandy Flat the excitement was great
est, though, in the "Nugget." the gener-
al rendezvous of the miners. In fact, the
conversation became 80 interesting that
some of the mort reliable and regular
players pushed their chairs back near
to the stove, and, assuming ccmforta-
BILE position, determined to discuss the
subject thoroughly and have it settled
at once. There was a silence of few
moments after a while. each face wearing
thoughtful expression, as though each
man was at his very wits ends what next
to say.
The silence was broken by Jim Mar
shall, whose face was barely discernible
behind the dense cloud of smoke that
hoated before him, and which spoke
"volumes in proof of the profound
thought in which he had been absorbed.
"Boys," said he, "they're a mighty
fine-lookin' pair, anyhow, specially the
little 'un."
This remark had been made no less
than dozen times by Jim since the ar
rival Of the two ladies by the evening
stage, and every time he reiterated it he
added more stress to Especially the lit
tie 'un."
"The big 'un isn't to be sneezed at,
neither" added Bill Turner.
Bill Turner's name fitted him exactly,
for he was ready at all times to ego
happened to come his way. First in
starting off to any new diggings that
were heard of, and first to return with o
big disgust; !; first to get into row, and
first to beat a disgraceful retreat. So
tonight he was, as ever, ready to take
part in the discussion and, in fact, he
took a most lively interest in it, for he
had cast more than friendly eye on
the "little 'un" as she alighted from
the stage, and, true to his tickle nature,
he was Immediately captive to her
charms for indeed she was very pretty,
as in fact was the larger one. The cause
of his remark in reference to this latter
was that made by Jim Marshall. Bill
had wholesome dread of James and
we'll he might, for their natures were
as unlike as the stately pine and the
scrubby chaparral, which difference had
often been proved to Bills shame so
when he heard Jim Marshall express
such q decided preference for the small
er of the two ladies, he, true to his
name and nature, Immediately trans.
ferred his affections to the larger one
still he felt little nettled, and ventured
deprecatory remark:
"But, boys, you know she looks q
little-well p catching the eye of Jim.
"Well, now, how does she look Out
with it, said Jim.
"That's what 1 was goin' to say-she's
q mighty fine lookin' gal," added Bill.
But Jim knew that was not what he
had intended to say; sti he remained
fsilent, and as the night was pretty ia,
spent and adjournment in order, the con.
vention disbanded.
There was little scene that night,
however, not witnessed by any of the
miners, which took place outside of the
Nugget. The actors were two, namely
Jim Marshall and Bill Turner.
"Now, Bill, want you TO tell me
what you was goin' to say about that
little 'un," said Jim.
81 wasn't goin' to say anything,
swear I wasn't" gasped Bill, for by the
fierce visage of the man before him he
knew that he was wholly in earnest.
"Now, see here, Bill, if ever you say
word agin them unprotected gals -
Bill did not wait to hear the rest, buI
"You can jest chaw me up, if I do" he
put in.
With an approving nod, Jim walked
away toward his cabin, and Bill toward
hie.
Away down among the chaparral there
glimmered faint light that sent its
tinid rays out through the little window,
which were soon lost in the surrounding
darkness of the wooded mountains. II
we take o look into the cabin through
the window, what do we see Two ladies,
evidently sisters. but not the least alike
in appearance. One tall and rather dark.
will, long dark hair, that hangs careless
ly down her back as she sits gazing
affectionately at the sweet face before
her-that Of the one who had been
christened by the miners the "little
un." She, the smaller one, is fair
-eet:faced and child-like; her face as
moo.n ana soit as the velvety wing of