The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-03

4
vigil outside Grumps hut.
| Meanwhile Grump's Pet a Mix had
been nicknamed, afforded the camp 4
great deal OF amusement. BE was not at
all reserved, and he wa easily drawn ont
on thetubject Of bis protector, Of whom
he spoke In terms Of unmeasured praise.
"By the piper that played before
Moses, . said one Of the boys one day "st
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 . harp iist
like the other angles
As for Grump himself, be improved 90
much that suspicion was half disarmed
when one looked at him nevertheless the
Colonel deemed il prudent TO watch the
Pete landlord on the night preceding the
express day.
The Colonel timed himself BY counting
the games OF old sledges 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 lying
down, but by the light Of the FIRE the
Colouel could see the eyes al the former
were closed, while these OF the latter
we're wide open. The moments few BY,
and still the two men remained in the
same positions, the Pet apparently fast
asleep and Grump wide awake.
The interior Of q 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 90,
and he relieved his strained eyes BY an
occasional amateur astronomical OBJ
seryations. On turning his head; witha
yawn, from one OF these he saw inside
the hut a state OF affairs which caused
him to feel hurriedly for his pistol.
Grump had risen on one elbow, and
WA stealthily feeling with the other hand
under the Pets head.
"Har thought the Colonel. fright at
last"
Slowly Grumps hand emerged from
beneath the Pets head, and with II came
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, "an' then we'll see what cold
leads got to cay aboutit."
Grump united the bsg, set It upon his
own pillow, drew forth his own pouch,
and united il; the ColOnel's aim remained
true to its unconscious mark.
"Et that's the game" continued the
Colonel to himself, ~ reckon the proper
time to play my trump Is Just when
you're a.pourin' from his bag into your'n.
It'll be ez goods theater 70 bring the
boys up 10 see how't was done. Lordl /
wish he'd hurry upl" j.
Grump placed hand on each bag. and
the Colonel felt for his trigger. Grnmp's
left hand opened wide the mouth Of
Pets bag, and bis right hand raised his
own; in q moment be had poured out all
his own gold into Pets bag, tied 1t, and
replaced it under Pets head.
The Colonel retired quietly for hun.
dred yards or more, and then be started
for the saloon like man inspired with a
three days thirst. As he entered the sa-
loon the crowd arose.
@Any Teller ken say I lie,' meekly
spoke the Colonel, "an' won't shoot. |
wouldn't believe it ef l hadn't seen it
with my own eyes. Grumps poured all
his dust into Pets pouchl"
The whole party, in chorus, condemned
their optical organs to supernatural
warmth; some more energetic than the
rest, signifed that the operation should
extend 10 their lungs and liyers. But the
doubter OF the party again spoke:
"Mind YER" said he, "to-morrow he'll
be complainin' that the Pet stole II, and
then he'll claim all in the Pets pouch"
The Colonel looked doubtful; several
voices expressed dissent; Bozeu, reviving
his proposition 10 drink to Grump, found
opinion about equally balanced, but con-
seryative. twas sgreed, however, that
all the boys should "hsng around" the
express agent the next day, and should,
II Grump made the Pet any trouble, dis.
pose OF him promptly, and give the Pet
clear title to all OF Grunps rights and
properties.
The agent came, and one by one the
boys deposited their dust, saw it weighed,
and took their receipts. Presently there
was stir near the door, and Grump and
Pet entered. Pets gold was weighed, his
mothers name given and receipt ten.
dered.
"Think's he's goin' to hev conviction in |
writin," whispered the donbter to the
Colonel.
But the sgent finished his business,
took the stage and departed. Grump
started TO the door to see the last OF It
The doubter was there before him, and
saw big tear in The corner Of each Of
iFamps eyes.
A few days later Grump went to Plsc-
erville for a new pick for the Pet-the
old one was too heavy for = light man,
Grump said. Pet himself felt rather
lonesome working on his neighbours
claim, SO be sauntered down the creek,
and got kind word from almost every |
man. His ridiculous anatomy had es-
capped the grave 80 long, he was 90 indus.
trious and so inodensive, that the boys
began to have sort Of affection for the
lad who had come so far to "help the
folks"
Finally, come weak miner, unable to
hold the open secret any longer, told the
pet about Grump's operations in dust.
Great was the astouishment Of the young
msn, and pulling miners gained sym.
psthy from the weak eyes and open
mouth Of the Pet, as he meandered home;
ward, evidently as much at q Icss as them.
selves.
Unlucky was the spirit which prompted
Grump 10 the selection OF his claim. Il
was Just beyond small bend which the
Run made, and was therefore out otsight
OF the claims Of the other men belonging
to the camp. And II came TO pass that
while Pet was standing on his own claim,
leaning on his spade, and pulling his
feeble brain. there came down the Run
the great Broadly, chief Of the Jolly
Grasshoppers, who we're working several
miles above. Mr.. Broadly had found 3
nugget few days before, and in his exul-
tation had ceased work and become 4 reg.
ulAr member ofthe bar. AWeek's indus
trious drinking developed IN him that pc.
culiar amiability and humanity which Is
characteristic Of cheap whisky, and Is
Pet was small, ugly, and alone, Broadly
commenced working of on him his own
superauous energy.
Poor Pets resistance only increased