Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-10-10

resisted all temptation; and as he went
J up his steep path on the mountain side,
beneath the pine trees, with a heavy
: sack on his shoulders, he could look
down, and see afar in the break Of the
forest where Nelrs home was; and felt
comforted and satisfied with himself
that he had kept his promise TO her.
And, besides, was he not proving he
could be a man againP But he deter
mined he would not seek Nell for some
time yet.
The days and weeks passed by, but
Bob toiled on, determined to work out
his claim thoroughly. He dug down
stream, until over the edge of the fiat it
became so steep no show of gold could
be found, and then dug holes and cross
bitches to see il the little depression of
the mountain had any more chunks of
gold buried under the grass roots. But
he had worked it out; and what was
better he had kept his word to Nell, his
resolution with himself to reform, and
had taken out his pile at the same time.
He now examined and weighed his
gold and found that he had about six
thousand dollars, mostly in heavy
pieces. This was pretty good fortune
for seven weeks digging, and Bob felt
an unconquerable longing to go and tell
Nell all about it. The next morning
by daylight he cleared up, packed his
things, and started down the ridge to the
nearest trading tent. But in his blank
cts, carefully strapped out of sight,
was heavy bag of gold in place of
whisky bottle. The locality where this
strange deposit of gold was found was
on the top of long ridge bounding a
little valley called Tolls Diggings,
few miles from the Yuba River
Whether any one ever had the curios-
ity to prospect the ridge further is
doubtful.
Bob had a heavy load to pack, but it
was all down hill, and therefore easier
for him. He arrived at the mining store,
or trading tent, so eommon in the
mountains in olden times, where almost
anything could be purchased-from a
paper of pins to a calico shirt and
broadcloth pantaloons. Here he rested
and renovated himself generally, found
an old sailor who could cut an trim his
long hair and beard to reasonable pro-
portions, and purchased some calico
shirts and other clothes, until, when
dressed up nicely, he could have walked
the streets of any city, and any of the
fair sex would have said he was very
fine looking fellow.
1t was early in the day yet, and Bob
set out to find the ranch of Nelly's peo-
pie, leaving his pack, except the blank
cts containing his gold, which was
slung over his shoulder on the pick
handle.
In a little over a miles walk he
found a pretty valley at the mouth of
the creek, where some fine new log
houses, fences, and clearings indicated
NelPs home.
Bob walked around, but he could see
no one at home; the doors were all
open; he peeped in, and could find no.
body; but he heard, not far off, clear,
sweet voice, that set his heart thump-
| ing like the stamp of quartz-mill. He
knew there was only one voice he ever
heard like it, and he walked quietly in.
In back room, with her white,
strong, beautiful arms bare to the
shoulders, stood pretty Nell at the
wash-tub, very busy in the steam of
soap-suds and Kentucky jeans, singing
free as bird:
"Kentucky is my native place, Kentucky was
my horne,
| And here | be across the plains in soapsuds
white as foam.
Wake snakes and clear the track,
Old Kentuck is my song;
My name is Nelly Green, boys
Till Bob may come along" Il
The last line was sung very soft, as if
afraid some one would hear her.
Bob put down his pack and walked
in; but NelPs quick ears heard, and as
she turned and saw him, her cheeks
flushed and her eyes sparkled.
"What! Bob, is that you come at
lastP-in store clothes, toor' said she,
glancing with bright eyes at the young
man, and with poorly disguised pleas
ure.
Certain sure, Nell; you said might
come"
eyes, Bob, but how about the
whiskyP"
"Nell, havn't touched drop since
you saw me; if have they may shoot
me. And what's more, don't mean to
if you say So" replied he.
AN, Bob, did bring luck to yer.
Was there gold up thar?"
"Nell, thar's six thousand dollars
and more, rolled in them blankets thar,
owe to yer pretty self, or I'm nigger.
And, Nell, Just look here" and Bob
took from the breast of his shirt pack
age carefully wrapped in paper, which
had rested on the bow OF Nell's blue
ribbon he had found, and which she
plainly saw. Unwrapping it, there was
a piece of gold in the shape of spread
eagle, almost exact in every part, weigh
ing over six ounces.
"Nell, you said I might bring yer a
specimen from my pile, and here it's"
"Yes; Bob, but what gals bit ov rib
bon is that yer so keerful aboutP" said
Noll, with a loving look, bat turning Tor
face from him mischieviously, and stir
ring the soap-suds.
THAT ere," replied he, "broke loose
from the har ov an angelthat met me on
the mountains, yonder, and said some
kind words to dead-broke man, that
gave him new life, and what's more,
brought good luck and pile of gold to
him, and he kept the thing as charm
to tighten his thoughts, when he felt
down-hearted," and Bob went closer
to Nell, whose cheek turned red.
"Yes, Bob," said she, "but amt
that talk kind ov airyP Angels don't
fit round these diggins, as ever heerd
ovP'
eyes, Nell, that's so; but any wom-
ans an angel to a mar that's going
wrong, who, in loving kindness ov her
heart, encourages him to do right, and
that what ye've done for me. Ye see
Nell, I've never had any folks ov my
own blood to keer for me; went into a
ships cabin as prentice boy, from an
orphan asylum. That ere gold came by
luck to me, from you, an if ye'd only
take it with something else
"With what, BobP' but Nell still
kept her face turned away, while he
was edging still closer to her.
"Well Nell, if l must make the
rifle, jest take Bob with the dust and
make happy man ov him for life; he
| loves YER and would die for Yer any