The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-02-23
THE FLOODED GULcH.
A ROMANCE OF THE GOLD D1aGrNGs.

L WaTlJ never lledHJ lOT uO SdllOiJ
warn't, but came of great nation, and
when a chap out of our way says he'll du a
thing he does it. said I'd go to sea, and
l went-and thar you are. l said I'd drop
hunting and take to mining, and thar l
was; and that's how it come about.
!; You see, we was rather rough out our way,
where Hez Lane and me went with our bit
of tent and pickers, shooting-irons and sech
like, meaning to make pile of gold. We
went to Washoe, and didn't get on; and
then we went to Fort Laramie, and didn't
get on there. Last, we went right up into
the mountains, picking our way amongst the
stones, for Hez ses, "Look here old hoss, let's
get whar no ones afore. If we get whar the
boys are at work already, the've tc9k the
cream, and we gets the skim milk. Let's
you and me get the cream, and let some O.
the others take the skim milk"
"Good for YOU" says; and we tramped
on day after day, till we got right up in the
heart O. the mountains where no one hadn't
been afore, and it was still and quiet, as it
made you quite deaf.
"This'n do, Dab" says Hez, as we put up
our bit of a tent on a pleasant green shelf in
the steep valley place. "Thisll do, Dab;
thar's yaller gold spangling them sands,and
running in veins throIgh them rocks, and
yaller gold in the pockets of the rock.
"Then let's call it Yaller Gulch," says.
"Done, old hoss" says Hez; and "Yaller
Gulch it is"
We set to work next day washing in the
bit Of stream and shook hands on our good
luck.
"This1l do" says Hez, "We shall make
pile here. No one will dream of hunting
this out"
"say, stranger" said voice that made
us both jump. "Do it wash well ?"
And if there warn't long, issA, ugly yal-
lar-looking chap looking down at us, as he
stood holding a mule by the bride.
Why afore week was over, so far from us
keeping it snug, l reckon there was fifty
people in Yallar Gulch, washing away, and
making their piles. Afore another week was
over some one had set up store, and next
day there was a gambling saloon. Keep it
to ourselves! Why, stranger, reckon ifthere
was one speck of gold anywhere within 500
miles our chapsd sniff it out like vultures,
and be down upon.
1t warn't no use to grumble, and we kept
what we Thought to ourselves, working away
and making our ounces the best we could.
One day l proposed we should go up higher
in the mountains; but Hez said he'd be darn
ed if he'd moves and next day if he'd want
ed me to go, should have told him I'd be
darned if I'd move; and all at once, from
being red-hot chums, as would done any
thing for one another, Hez and me got to be
mortal enemies.
Now, look here, stranger. Did you ever
keep chickens? P'r'aps not; but if you ever
do, just you no.ice this. You've got, say,
dozen young cocks pecking about, and as
happy as can be-smart and lively, an in
nercent as chickens should be. Now, just
you go drop pretty young pullet in among
en-, and see if there won't be a row. Why,
afore night there'll be combs bleeding, eyes
knocked out, feathers torn and ragged-a
reg'lar pepper-box and bowie set-to, and
'acause of that little smooth, brown pullet,
that looks on so quiet and gentle, as if Won
derng who made the row. Now, that's
what was the matter with US; for who
should come into the Gulch one day but an
old store-keeper sort of fellow, with as
pretty daughter as ever stepped, and from
that moment it was all oSet between Hez
and Inc.
He'd got way with him, you see, as
hadn't, and they always made welkim at
that thar store, when it was only "How do
you dog" and "Good morning" I'd me.
don't know what love is, stranger; but if
Jael Burn had told me to go and cut one of
my hands off to please her, I'd ha' done it..
I'd ba gone through fire and water for her,
God bless her! and if she'd tied one of her
long yallar hairs round my neck, she might
have led me about like bear, rough as am.
But it wouldn't do. I soon see which way
the wind blew. She was the only woman
in camp, and could have the pick; and she
picked Hez.
was bout startin' mad first time met
them two together-she a hanging on his
arm, and looking up in his face, worship
ping him a great, big, strong he; and as
they war got by l swore a big oath as Hez
should never have her, and l plugged my
six-shooter, gave my bowie a whetting, and
lay in wait for him coming back.
"Now, Hez," say, chow about your dar-
ling now? You'll cut in afore better man
, agin, will yer?"
"Yes, if live" he says, stout-like, so as
! couldn't help liking the grit he showed
"That's right" he saysi "pitch me over
and then go and tell little Jael what you've
done. She'll be fine and proud of yer then
Abinadab Scalesp
He said that as I'd got him hanging over
the rocks, and he looked me full in the face
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