The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-07

blast In the Little Emily mine came fOatini
through the still night air. Then my eve
lie. Bob was still there, his tall figure an
broad shoulders contrasting greatly with tn
little old man In the doorway. What was h
doing there 80 long thought, and ! puffe'
my pipe viciously as saw Nellie moman
later Join the two. The night settled down
and the cabins faded from view, their presenc
only revealed by lights shining through tn,
little square windows or the sparks streaming
out 81 the stone and mud chimneys. II Wal
out of my pipe and re-entered my little hom,
and stirred up the emOuldering embers Of
the hearth. An hour went by and the moor
sent its beams across my little table, with III
tin plates and cups; across my earthen ant
rocky floor, touching lightly my books on .
shelf at the head Of my bed and resting soft
~ On the rolled-up coat that served me for {
pillow. turned on my stool and glanced ou
VI the window. The tops Of the surroundinp
timber were silvered by the moonlight. aDc
the cabins stood out against the dark back
singing came up from the saloon and the
wind sighed fitfuily now and then. And 80
fell into somhre reverie, and Nellie was the
centre about which all my thoughts revolved
Presently there was a knocking ut my door,
and at my Invitation Mineral Bob entered
Hello! Philadelphia" ne said, Il kinder
thought you wasn't IT,"
"Why?D l asked rather sorry Of the Inter.
ruption, though Bob was good company, and
no one could look Into his merry, blue eyes
and pleasant face, covered all over with q
luxuriant, rich brown beard, without feeling
better and less out Of spirits.
"Oh, sort OF calculated you'd be some
where around the girl. How's your chances,
partner? Good. chr
Here. fiji your pipe and cit down."
Bob laughed spontaneously and. pulling
up stool. sat down near the fire and. as he
filled his pipe, said:
i've dropped 10 on little business-about
the Sunshine, you KNOW, alludinR TO mine
Of his and one Of the best In the camp. you
know, I'm obliged to sink--ain't got no chance
to tunnel, and the derned surface water - get
ting the best Or me. Must have pump, II
want to do anythiDg-thi s., baillng water out
as fast is Of no account. You know that?"
I nodded assent.
well, then, Philadelphia" as he lighted
his pipe and gave two or three vigorous
puffs, Il want to see what kind OF dicker
amt got the money to get an engine and
pump, though l guess could borrow It, and
besides I've got to 60 East on business inside
Of week and don't want to leave the Sun
shine idl s can't afford a; 1t IT, ~ So, ),
said. He's got some ready cash"
"But he's going out shortly and wants to
sell his own mines"
Going out-Stacy?' demanded, wonder
ing why Nellie had never alluded to It.
Eyes, going to take that gal OF his back to
the States. This amt no fit place for pretty
little thing like she Is, you know"
Nellie going to leave camp! BY Jove, that
wouldn't do. No, II she left, I would too.
shouldn't lose her, now that had all but
won her. 90 said:
II tell you, Bob, don't know that shall
stay much longer myself. Perhaps you would
like to make me an offer for my interest In
the Ajax and let me attend to your business
IN the East. 4 can; would be very glad to. :"
can do what I'm going out for except myself.
Same time, I might be able to handle my
own property better II had the Ajax, too,
seeing as how the two claims join each other
on the same vein. wonder II old Stacy
would sell out cheap enough
"Oh, guess So" said; especially II he is
at all anxious to get away. I'll speak to him
for YOU"
He said the other day." continued Bob, as
though he were carefully Weighing the prop;
could get good man to 60 my security"
..Would he take me, do you think"
take you? A great sight sooner than any
other man In camp"
on the mine, and II his figures are not too
high I'll indorse your note and turn you over
my Interest beside. The mine is solid yet, /
guess. though l haven't been tott for week"
That's the gals fault" 9rtnned Bob, nut
II she wasn't good wouldn't want to buy. ]
believe I'll 60 down and see the old man-it
won't take long," and Bob buttoned up his
coat and started out.
Halt an hour later Bob returned with the
necessary papers by which Stacy conveyed
his third interest In the Ajax mine to him for
$4,000. payable within thirty days. / Endorsed
Bob's note for the amount, he assuring me
that II the mine continued to pay IS It had Ia
the past, he could easily take 1t up when due;
besides which, reasoned to myself, that /
would soon be Stacy's son-in-law, and, In
case Of Bob's failure to meet the note, the old
man would not be hard on me. also trans
feIred my third interest to Bob for like
amount and secured myself for both sums by
bed that night and dreamed OF the little wife
! soon expected to have.
saw Nellie next day, and though she
smiled sweetly and blushed most prettily 1
wasn't satisfied, as owing to her getting
things In readiness for the trip next morning
there was no opportunity for quiet little
conversation. l told Stacy was going out,
and he laughed and said Nellie had spoken of