Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-15
The LUCKY SHOT,
An A IN Australia.

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Every wet day, sill" said the CHEEKY
host OF the travellers Rest" as he assist.
ed me to take off my heavy riding coat.
Every wet, indeed,"I replied 'sI've
had my share of it during my thirty
miles ride to-day"
My host conducted me to room with
a CHEEKY fire burning in the CRATE, and
having been served with good hot sup
per, and my favorite glass of good hot
brandy, | began to feel more comfort
able. drew my chair up to the fire, en-
cased my feet in a pair of easy slippers,
and filled my pipe preparatory to quiet
smoke, when was disturbed by the en-
trance of my host.
wont you join the company in the
next room, sir? We have a social club
held here twice week, and perhaps
they may amuse you during the even
ing"
with 'pleasure,' l replied. So taking
my glass and pipe, followed my land
lorA into a large room, which was al
most filled with numerous company.
At the moment of my entrance they
were listening with evident satisfaction
to story told by one Of their number.
My host briefly introduced me, and l
took chair close to the storv-teller, and
prepared to enjoy my smoke.
Now. MIR. White, you must begin
your story again, in honor of the gentle
man." So MIR. White re commenced
''You must know, gentlemen" he be-
gan, "that the scene Of my tale lies in
Australia, just about the time Of the gold
fever there"
The tones of the speakers voice seem
ed familiar to me, and | gave him a
searching look. What did [ see? The
lobe of his left ear was missing. I half
started from my seat, upsetting the glass
of brandy by my elbow, and startling the
company generally.
II beg pardon, gentlemen; sudden
spasm-that is alp stammered out.
at is the same man." soliloquized
was supplied with fresh glass OF
brandy, and Mr.. White resumed:
"Well, was only young fellow at the
time, and had got bitten by the gold
fever, like many other people besides
Every paper contained dazzling accounts
land, so at last made up my mind to go
and try my luck. When I told Mary, she
cried, and tried to dissuade me, but il
was no use; | was determined; and soon
after left home for London, where | en-
tered my name on the books as steerage
passenger on board the clipper-built
liner, Australasia"
MARY was his sweetheart" interposed
my left-hand neighbour.
81 we'll remember the day we sailed
The scene at the docks were very affect
ing. Husbands were parting from wives,
brothers from sisters, fathers from
children, young fellows from their sweet
hearts. and was not sorry when the tug
towed us out to sea. We were motley
company. There were representatives OF
all classes-laborers, mechanics, broken
down lawyers, and students, clerks, and
a good sprinkling, too, of the hangers on
about town, and even couple of Method
ist ministers. All were going to try their
fortunes IN the New Eldorado. We had
very good weather during our voyage, and
| suffered but little from sea-sickness. |
made many acquaintances, but there was
man took an aversion to. He was called
Mapping Bill. He was a tall, broad
shouldered fellow, with great shock OF
red hair and close-cropped beard; pair
OF small, ferret-like eyes that seemed to
vanish beneath his shaggy eyebrows when
any one addressed him, and an expression
that showed him to be the reverse of q
quiet and respectable man.
"In due time we arrived at Melbourne
ltwas then mere collection of wooden
houses and hastily-thrown up shanties
and was peopled by representatives. from
nearly all civilized nations on the face of
the erath. Twenty of us formed party
bought some tools, and proceeded to the
digging on foot. Arriving there We
bought claims, and set to work to I'm.
earth the long talked of gold. MY chum
was steady-going fellow, called Sandy
"a scotchman. We dug shaft, hauled
up the gold-bearing earth, and washed
It IN large box with plates full of holes
The water washed away the earth, leav
ing the gold in the form CT nuggets anc
dust on the plates. For a week or so we
found little or nothing, and my golden
dreams began to wane. Then one morn
ing Sandy gave a shout ofjoy, and, hasti-
ly ascending the shaft, saw in the era
die several nuggets of pure gold. I wa,
half mad with delight, and for the rest O
the day worked with the energy of two
men. Before nlght1all we had more thar
twenty ounces of small nuggets and dust
We stitched it up in small canvas bags
ana hid it for safety in the floor of tn,
tent. We went on this way for months
then our claim began to give out.
'sJust about this time a convoy was
going to Melbourne to take some gole
to the bank there. We therefore agreed
| to send some of ours to be deposited i,