Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-03
A CHIPMUNK.
And The Racket IL Gaven Mining
superintendent.


Mr.. Thomas J. Read is Superintendent
of the Eureka Consolidated. This is, per-
haps, better known than the fact that Tom
is as warm-hearted and impulsive as a
woman--at least, some women. True, a
member of the fair sex once said, when
speaking of Toms heart, that it was
like an India rubber ball, it. had to be
squeezed to make an impression but
then she was sour-visaged, and on the
shady side of forty, two things that never
find favor in Toms eyes. But as u story
relates to a %chipmunk, and not to a woman,
we pass over that little episode.
One day while returning from his usual
visit to the mine he came across two
boys endeavoring to kill a chipmunk, and
our impulsive hero refined up his team.
Boys" he exclaimed severely, "you
wouldn't harm such a creature, would
you ?"
"Bet yer damned life" was the unhesi-
tating response.
"But don't you know it's wicked ? Why,
you'll never reach the good place if you
are SO cruel"
One of the hopefuls placed his thumb to
the end of his nose and performed a gyra-
ton graphically described in Irving's
"Knickerbockers."
See here" said Tom, who saw that a
change Of base was necessary, eli you'll
| promise not to kill any I'll pay you four
bits for a live one"
MAKE it a dollar for two, Mister, and
you can count us in"
But Tom demurred, and after some bick-
ering the bargain was clinched.
About a week afterwards the boys ap-
peared in his office with a live chipmunk,
securely boxed, and departed happy in the
possession OF four bits. The antics of the
creature excited a lively admiration in its
owners mind, and in a few moments it
was at liberty, with full range Of the room.
"You see" said Tom a couple of hours
after, when Mr.. R. G. Luther, who labors
in his quarters, entered a vigorous protest,
=" he's a festive little fellow, and it would
be a shame to confine him, you know"
Eyes, he's too Internally festive" re-
| piled Luther. damn him, l wish he'd
go under the bed or in a corner when he
wants toto -" and the speaker
wiped his eyes feelingly.
The next day Tom had occasion to ex-
anime some maps on which he had spent
time and money. He unfolded them care
fully, sat down helplessly, and piously
calculated, "Oh ! hell ~
For that festive chipmunk had played
the devil with the maps, and had exercised
his teeth to advantage. A hasty inspection
revealed the fact that he had made a clean
sweep, and had nibbled papers to the value
Of over 500.
But the heart of the unfortunate Super
intendent was not steeled against his pet.
Calling in his man-of-all-work, he gave
strict instructions to have him watched
during his absence.
"Don't let him hide keep him in
sight, was the parting injunction, and it
was faithfully obeyed.
For ten minutes il was fun chasing him
around, but when he had barked his
shins, upset all the chairs and tables in
the room, and kicked up such a racket
that Justice Harmon, who has rooms be-
low, threatened to ''pull" the concern for
disorderly conduct, the man rushed fran
tically to a drug store, and half an hour
after the animal was cold in death.
Its guardian smiles ~sardonically, and
tells outsiders that he had to do it or re-
sign, and he wouldn't do that for all the
blasted chipmunks in creation. In the
meantime no more pets are wanted in
Toms quarters.