The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-11-27

| DE found, and then dug holes and cross
bitches to see if the little depression OF
the mountain had any more chunks ot
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 to 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
$4,000, mostly in heavy pieces. This
was pretty good fortune for seven
weeks digging, and Bob felt an uncon-
querable longing to 60 and tell Nell all
about it. The next morning by day.
light he cleared up, packed his things
and started down the ridge to the near
est trading tent. But in his blankets.
carefully strapped out of sight, was a
heavy bag of gold in place of a whisky
bottle.
Bob had 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 common in the
mountains in olden times, where almost
anything could be purchased-from a
paper of pins to calico shirt and broad
cloth pantaloons. Here he rested and
renovated himself generally, found an
old sailor who could cut and 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 a ye,v
fine-looking fellow.
1t was early in the day yet, and Bob
set out to find the ranch of Nelly's
people, leaving his pack except the
blankets containing his gold, which
we're slung over his shoulder on his pick
handle.
In little over a miles walking he
found pretty valley at the mouth of
the creek, where some new log houses.
fences and clearings indicated Nell's
home.
in the back room, with her white,
strong beautiful arms bare to the
shoulder, stood pretty Nell at the wash.
tub, very busy in a stream of soapsuds
and Kentucky jeans, singing free as a
bird.
Bob put down his pack and walked
in, but Nell's quick ear 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, tool" 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. hayn't touched drop since
you saw me; if / have they may shoot
me. And what's more, don't mean to
II JOu say ~, 1OplI6u liz.
( AM, Bob, did I bring luck to yerp
Was there gold up thar?"
"Nell, thar's $4,000 and more rolled
in them blankets thar l owe to syour
pretty sell. And, Nell, just look here,'
and Bob took from tie breast of his
shirt a package carefully wrapped in a
paper, which had rested on the bow of
Nell's blue ribbon he had found, and
which she plainly saw. Unwrapping it
there was piece of gold, in the shape
OF spread eagle, almost exact in every
part, weighing over six ounces.
Nell, you said | might bring yer a
specimen from my pile, and here it's"
8 Yes, Bob, hut what gals bit of rib
bon IS that yer so keerful aboutp" said
Nell, with n loving look, but turning
her face from him mischievously, and
stirring the soapsuds.
That ere." replied he. broke loose
from the har OF an angel that met me on
the mountains, yonder, and said some
kind words to dead broke man, and
gave him new life. and, what's more
brought back good luck and pile OIL
gold to him, and he kept the thing as
charm to tighten his thoughts when he
felt dowr earted," and Bob went closer
to Nell, -ose cheek turned red.
Yes, bob," said she, " but amt that
talk kind ov airy? Angels don't fiji
round these diggins, as ever heerd ov.
Yes, Nell, that's so; but any
woman's an angel to man that's goins
wrong. who, in the loving kindness O
her heart, encourages him to do right
and that's what ye've done for me. Y,
see, Nell, I've never had any folks of m,
own blood TO keer for me; / went int
ships cabin as prentice boy from al
orphan asylum. That ERE gold came t.
me by luck from you, and if ye'd onl,
take it with something else"
"With what, Bob?" but Nell still KEEP
her face turned away, while be wa
edging still closer to her.
"Well, Nell, if / must make the rife
est take Bob with the dus. and max
him happy man for there of his life
He loves yer, and would die for yer an
time" and Bob stole his arm around he
/ ,lo Iov- list