Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-03-20
A Lucky Shot.

cry Wet udN- >lT. esilu itit Chctif
host of the Travellers Rest" as he
assisted me to take off my heavy riding
coat
Very wet, indeed" 1 replied. ''I've
had my share of it during my thirty
mile ride today
Mine host conducted me to room
with a CHEEKY fire burning in the gratc,
and having been served with good
hot supper, and my favorite glass of
hot brandy, began TO feel more COM
Portable. | drew up my chair TO the
fire, encased my feet in pair of easy
slippers, and filled my pipe, prepara-
tory to a quiet smoke, when was dis
turbed by the entrance of my host
Won't you join the company in the
next room, sir: We have social club
held here twice week, and perhaps
they may amuse you during the even
ing"
with pleasure,' / replied. So,
taking my glass and pipe, followed
my landlord into large room, which
pany. At the moment of my entrance
they were listening with evident salts
faction TO a story told by one of their
number. My host briefly introduced
me. and | took chair close TO the
story-teller, and prepared to enjoy my
smoke.
Now, Mr.. White, you must begin
your story again, in honor of the gem
tleman.'' So Mr.. White recommended.
You must know, gentlemen" he
began, .'that the scene of my tale lies
in Australia, just about the time of the
gold fever there"
The tones of the speakers voice see
med familiar TO me, and L gave him
searching look. What did | sees The
lobe of his left ear was missing. L half
started from my seat, upsetting my
glass of brandy by nv elbow, and
startling the company generally
II beg pardon, gentlemen: asudden
spasm-that is all ~ | stammered out.
'It is the same man." i soliloquized.
was supplied with fresh glass of
brandy. and Mr.. White resumed:
well, | was only young fellow at
the time, and got bitten by the gold
fever. like many other people besides.
Every paper contained dazzling ac-
counts of the riches TO be found in that
far-off land, so at last | made up my
mind to go and try my luck. When
told Mary, she cried, and tried 10 dis
~uade me, but it was of no use; L was
determined, and soon after left home
for London. where | entered nv name
on the books as a steerage passenger on
board the cIipper-built liner, Austral-
asia"
MARY was his sweetheart" inter-
posed nv left-hand neighbor.
II well remember the day we sailed.
The scenes at the docks were very al
fecting. Husbands were parting from
wives, brothers from sisters, young
fellows from their sweethearts, ana
was not sorry when the tug towed us
out TO sea. We were a motley company
There were representatives of all clas-
ses-laborers, mechanics, broken-down
lawyers and students, clerks, goodly
sprinkling, too, of the hangers-on about
town. and even couple of Methodist
ministers. All were going to try their
fortunes at the new Eldorado. We
had very good weather during our voy-
age. and | suffered but little from sea-
sickness. 1 made many companions,
but there was one man l took an aver
sion to. he was called Mapping Bill.
He was tall, broad-shouldered fellow,
with a great shock of red hair, and
close cropped beard; a pair OF small,
ferret-like ewes that seemed to vanish
bereath his shaggy eyebrows when any
one addressed him, and an expression