The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-14

ludino to a mine of his and one OF the
best in the camp. "You know, I'm
Obliged to sink-ain't got no chance 10
tunnel, and the SURFACE water is getting
the best of me. Must have a pump II l
want to do anything-this baillng water
out by the bucketful when she's coming
in nearly as fast is of no account. lou
know that?"
nodded assent.
"WeI, then, Philadelphia" as he
lighted his pipe and gave two or three
vigorous puffs, 81 want to see what
kind of dicker 1 can make with you
about running the mine. amt got
the money to get an engine and pump,
though I guess l could borrow it, and
besides I've got to go East on business
inside of week, and 1 don't want to
leave the Sunshine idle-I can't afford
it,
"Why don't you sell her to old
Stacy?" said. ''He's got some ready
cash"
"But he's going out shortly and
wants to sell his own mines"
"Going out-Stacyp" 1 demanded,
wondering why Nellie had never al
luded 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, if she left
would too. l shouldn't lose her, now
that had all but won her, SO said.
81 tell you, Bob, 1 don't know that
shall stay much longer myself. Per-
haps you would like to make me an Of
fer for my interest in the Ajax and let
me attend to your business in the East,
if l CAM would be very glad to-"
"No; much obliged, partner; but no
one can do what Pm going out for, ex-
cept myself. Same time, l might be
able to handle my own property better
if had the Ajax, too, seeing al how
the two claims joined each other en- the
same vein. wonder if old Stacy would
sell out cheap enoughP'
go, | guess so," | said, especially
if 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 weigh
ing the proposition, "that he'd sell to
me on time if l could get good man to
60 my security"
Would he take me, do you thinkP"
"Take youP A great sight sooner
than any other man in camp"
"Well, then, Bob. you give me
mortgage on the mine, and if his fig
ures are not too high I'll indorse your
note and turn you over my interest be-
side. The mine is solid yet, guess,
though l haven't been to il for week."
"That's the gals fault grinned
Bob; but if she wasn't good wouldn't
want to buy. l believe I'll go down
and see the old man-it won't take
long," and Bob buttoned up his coat
and started out.
Half 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 if the mine
continued to pay, as it had in the past,
he could easily take it up when due, be-
sides which, reasoned to myself, that
l would soon be Stacy's son-in- law, and,
in case of Bob failure to meet the note,
the old man would not be hard on me.
l also transferred my third interest to
Bob for like amount, and secured N.Y.
self for both sums by mortgage on the
property, and so l went to bed that
night and dreamed of the little wife
soon expected to have.
saw Nellie the next day, and though
she smiled sweetly and blushed most
prettily | wasn't satisfied, as owing to
her getting things in readiness for the
trip next morning there was no oppor-
tunity for quiet little conversation. l
told Stacy l was going out, and he
laughed and said Nellie had spoken of
it, and he "didn't know but what it
was good scheme for his gal, cause
it could hardly be expected that me
and Bob would be good company" and
so the matter was settled and I col
lected my traps together, and those
didn' care to take with me l distributed
among the boys. They all knew what
l was going out for, and good-natured
witticisms were freely INDUCED in at
my expense. But liked it, and rather
enjoyed my triumph over the Colonel
and the Judge and the others who had
tried to win the little treasure that l
had carried off, but had miserably
failed.
l sat in my cabin that evening-the
last l should ever spend In Mineral
City-and somehow 1 got terribly blue
and out of spirits. 1t felt like parting
with old friends. Every tree and every
rock seemed to have a hold on my af-
fections, and the rough logs of my little
home had warm place in my heart.
l couldn't shake off my low spirits, and
so l went down to see my little one and
from her sweet face and pretty eyes
draw the consolation l felt l needed. l
found her looking tired from her ar
ranging and packing efforts, but she
seemed most glad to see me, and we
sat on the doorstep and were soon chat
ting in warm, confidential way. AS l
was about to 60 took her little hand
in my big palm and said:
"Are you really glad that am going
out with your"
"You know 1 am" she said, earnest
ly, her eyes dropping and her soft little
fingers involuntarily pressing mine, and
somehow before fully realized what I
was doing had leaned forward and
4