The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-01
Some of these songs were musical and
comical. She was singing: So

| Oomo VI tuoso couks Wcro MusICdI Ill
comical. She was singing: IS
Kentucky is my native place. Kentucky is m
home;
And here 1 be across the plains. to seek for gol
and roam. -
Wake snakes and clear the track
When Kentucky comes along,
My name is Nellie Green, boys;
Pm sixteen. young and strong.''
Whisky Bob listened to the son,
with delight, and gazed at the sfnge
in admiration; ; and then, with his pacl
on his shoulder, cody walked out init
her presence, and putting the pacl
down not far from her, sat down him
self. The young girl looked at hin
q little surprised, but sat composed
and still, only putting her hand care
lessly on the lock of her rifle. Ther
she spoke to him:
We'll, mister, who might you be
that walks into young lady's draw
ing g-room without knocking, even OF
/ the bark of tree ?"
"Please. miss, I'm called Whisky
Dob-out prospecting" said he.
"No miss about it, Mr.. Bob, please
My name for short, is Nell Green tt
all friends, and to others-well, Pm ,
shooting iron,' said the girl, and con
tinued: your name of Whisky's {
bad one, young man, and, l reckon
shows you are being ruinated by corr
juice. Is that SO?
well, Nell, that's q fact-but rath.
er rough said Bob, who saw the girl
had half smile on her face.
She was not in the least bold or for.
ward, or wanting in modesty; but the
company of rough men, danger and
scenes in the wilderness, had taught
her to be composed and self-reliant.
She was aplom6, as they say, in all
situations.
Nov, Mr.. BOb,-without the Whis-
ky-it seems to me- said Nell, sye're
throwing yerself away; and there
might be something better for you. if
ye'd seek it, and she looked at him
with an expression of some interest.
'Iknow it, Nell, If 1 could only do
it. aHe e
'Got any folks, no family to keer
fer YEP said Nell. 5000 n 81
Nary one,' said Bob, never had.
toted myself and pack up this ridge, to
jest seek luck once more, to quit the
corn juice and reform. I said to my
self: Bob, if ye could only meet a
woman any whar in these diggings,
and stake out claim whar she stood,
it would bring ye fresh luck, and ye
might turn over new leaf, and be
somebody onct more. And here sure
enough, I've met you. But say Nell,
amt you ever afeard up her in the
wilderness, alone by yerself?
'Afeard Of what, stranger? What
is it, and whar, that I'm afeard Off
replied she, Indignantly. Mr.. Bob,
look down the ridge about sixty yards,
and yen see pine saplin'; thar's a
ring. neck snake varmint coiled around
it, and wagging his head to charm a
poor tomtit bird sitting on her nest in
the crotch of the tree above. Now
look a-here, Mr.. Bob Throwing her
rifle up to her eye with her little hands
with perfect ease, and then gracefully
she fired. The snakes head went one
way, while his twisting body raised
the dust at the foot of the tree.
sThar, stranger, what should I be
afeard of with this shooting.iron
about?
That's an eternal fact, for sure,'
said Bob. Nobody could insult girl
like you, 1 allow, and that ERE rifle is
q consideration. But you'll excuse a
rough miner, who amt sot eyes ON
woman fer long time.
sAll right, Mr.. Bob, 1 accept your
apology. Ye mean right, I'm sure,'
said Nell, softly. But down the trail
away yonder, 1 see my folks are COM
ing along, with their fixings aud plum
der, pau, mau, and the rest of 'em.
must put out, stranger ). but, Mr.. Bob,
let me say kind word to ye, on part
ing from a short acquaintance. Ye
say a woman brings ye luck every
time. Now, I Just hope I'll bring
good fortune to yer, and you may
take yer pile out of this ERE spot,
though can't see where it is. And,
Mr.. Bob,' said the girl, hesitatingly,
'ef ye do find it, and act up to yer
good intentions about the corn Juice
we'll, then, Mr.. Bob, my folks are
raising log-houses and shed fixings
down on the opening at the foot of
the creek, away thar whar ye can see
a break in the trees. We mean to To-
cate.' And walking up to Bob, she
put her hand on his shoulder, sand,
Mr.. Bob, eff ye raise yer pile ye can
bring jest little piece of gold down
fer Nell to remember she brought
better life fer ye. +74-i-
Bob was confused, and seemed to
feel tear In his eye, but caught the
little hand ana kissed it, while Nell,
hurried away with a step
light as an antelope's. 5lf-i5
These two seemed at once to take
an interest in each other, as often
happens in life. Bob stood looking
with his heart in his eyes, until Nell's
waving dress was out of sight, and
her peoples train had disappeared
then he took his pack and other things
and made his camp under a great pine
tree that stood against tall, steep
rock that would give him shelter,
gathered some dry wood for his even.
ing meal, and took a look about him.
The place was a slight depression of
about twenty acres, where during the