The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-08-30

sOity muttered 10 himself dozen o.
two enormous oaths; then he arose
Strengthened out his cramped legs, anC
: started to find Tom. That worthy hat
| started on a similar errand, and, or
meeting, the two stared at each other in
the moonlight as blankly as a couple O
5 we'll preserved mummies.
> "Spose the boys will believe us?' whis
pered the Colonel.
"We ken bring 'em down to see the
show themselves, eff they don't" replied
Tom.
The Colonel's report was productive
Of the choices. assortment of calculations
that had been heard in camp since
Natchez, the leader of the Vinegar Gulch
boys, joined the church and commenced
preaching.
1heSood natured Bozen was for drink
ing Grump's health at once, but the Col
onel demurred. So did Slim Sam.
Hes goin' to make him work on
sheers, or some hocuspocusin' arrange
ment, an he can't afford to hev him get
Isick-that's what his kindness amounts
to- said Sam.
'Ur go fur his gratitude-an' dust,
when he gifts any," suggested another,
and no one repelled the insinuation.
/ 1t was evident, however, that there
was but little chance ofeither inquest or
funeral from Grump's, and the crowd
finally dispersed with the confirmed as
surance that there would be one steady
cause Of excitement for some time to
come.
Next morning young Mix staked a
claim adjoining Grump. The Colonel
led him aside, bo md him to esyand
told him that there was far richer dirt
further down the stream. The young
man pointed toward the hut and replied:
ale sed twas payin' dirt, an ort to
take his advice, seein' he Civ me pick
an shovel an pan-sed he'd hev to git
new ones, anyhow"
Thunder p circulated the Colonel,
more puzzled than ever, knowing well
how miner will cling as long as posi-
bic to tools with which he is acquainted.
Jest wait till that boy gets Il bag of
dust" said a miner, when the Colonel
had narrated the second wonder. "The
express agentll be here next week to get
what fellers want to send to their folks
the boy'n want to send some to his'n-
his bagll be missin' bout then-just wait,
and if my words don't come true call me
a greaser."
The Colonel ponderei over'this proph
ecy, and finally determined on another
vigil outside Grump's hut.
Meanwhile Grump's Pet, as Mix had
been nicknamed, afforded the camp a
great deal of amusement. He was not
at all reserved, and he was easily drawn
out ON the subject of his protector, of
whom he spoke in terms of unmeasured
praise.
"By the piper that played before Mo
ses," said one of the boys one day, "ei
half that boy sez is true, some day
Grump'll hev wings sprout through his
shirt, an II be sittin' on the sharp edge
of cloud an playin' onto harpjist like
the other angels"
AS for Grump himself he improved
so much that suspicion was half disarmed
when one looked at him; nevertheless
the Colonel deemed it prudent to watch
the Pets landlord ON the night preced-
ing the express day.
The Colonel timed himself by count
ing the games of old sledge that were
played. At the end of the sixth game
after dark he made his way TO Grump's
hut, and quietly located himself at the
same crack as before.
The Pet and his friend were both iy-
ing down, but by the light of the fire the
Colonel could see the eyes of the latter
were wide open. The moments flew by
and still the two men remained in the
SINE positions, the Pet apparently fast
asleep and Grump wide awake.
The interior of miners hut though
displaying great originality of design and
ingenious artistic effects, becomes after
time rather tiresome object of con-
temptation. The Colonel found it so,
and he relieved his strained eyes by an
occasional amateur astronomical obser
yation. On turning his head, with a.
yawn, from one of these he saw inside
the hut a state of affiirs which caused
him to feel hurriedly for his pistol.
Grump had risen ON one elbow, and
was stealthily feeling with his other
hand under Pets head.
"Har" thought the Colonel, fright at
last"
Slowly Grumpis hand emerged from
beneath the Pets head, and with it came
a leather bag containing gold dust.
The Colonel drew perfect bead on
Grump's temple. I'll Jest wait till you're
stowin' that away, my golden haired
beauty" said the Colonel within himself.
San then we'll see what cold leads got
to say about it.
Grump united the bag. set it upon his
own pillow, drew forth his own pouch,
and united it; the Colonels aim remain
ing true to its unconscious mark.
"Ef that's the game" continued the
Colonel to himself, Il reckon the proper
time to play my trump is just when
you're pourin' from his bag into your'n-
It'll be ez goods theater to bring the
boys up to see how't was done. Lord /
wish he'd hurry up"
Grump placed a hand on each bag,
and the Colonel felt for his trigger.
Grump's left hand opened wide the
mouth of Pets bag, and his right hand
raised his own; in a moment he had
poured out all his own gold into Pets
bag, tied 1t, and replaced 1t under Pets
head.
The Colonel retired quietly for hun
dred yards or more, and then he started
for the saloon like man inspired with
three days thirst As he entered the
saloon the crowd arose.
"Any feller ken say / lie." meekly
spoke the Colonel, @an' won't shoot II
wouldn't believe it eff / hadn't seen it
with my own eyes. Grump's poured all
his dust into the Pets pouch !"
The whole party, in chorus, condemn