The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-12-27

to work in this guch. D'yr hear p.
Yes"
+ Then why don't We gnp"
because | prefer To stav. If ] quit
every time some hrosd-shruldered bully
chose to order M, fear I should soon
he good subject for hnme-sickuess.
And the dark-eyed lad, breaking into q
gay. careless laugh, glanced qnizzinglv
up into the face of his brawny question
er.
o, no! So y defy me, my bantam,
do your" excaimei Q Iarrelsome Ben,
the miner who had first spoken, great,
red-shlrted giant, who was held in whole
some fear bv The whole circle Of his ac-
qnaintance. You're bold 'un lad but
| think good solid thrashing would i'm
prove your disposition. How does it
strike you2'
"Oh, very likely you're right" answer
ed the boy coolly "that formed a part
of my education, thrash being con-
sidered by my parents as some what more
necessary than studies.'
By this time a great crowd of miners,
representing nearly every quarter. of the
globe, had assembled around the speak
ers, most of them drawn hither by curl
osity; but few of the Mexicans among
the number, from desire to bring on
what was to them the chief end of ex-
istence, fight.
"Punish him p hissed dark, treach-
erous, looking Mexican "Show the cub
that we don't handy words with chill
dren"
"Easy there, Leon; / reckon ihat'll
do The Youngsters brave lsd," sud-
denly exclaimed Ben who had been silent
for some time. "Boy, you and l are
friends after this. IF there's anything
in this world respect it's spunk, and
you've got it, sure"
A moment later Quarrelsome Ben and
the lad proceeded slowly down the street,
across the wild bit of country beyond,
10 the foot of mountain; here they
seated themselves upon slab Of gran
ite and entered into long and earnest
conversation. At the end OF couple
of hours they arose and started back
ward toward the town. As soon as they
came in sight of it they separated, each
going in alone-"to avoid suspicion" !"
Ben had said.
In q few words we will relate the rea-
sons of this secresy. A short time be-
fore Ben, while on bunting expedition,
bad discovered an unusually rich deposi,
of gold Being without tools, and not
willing to share the secret with so many,
he had not mentioned his "find," but had
determined 70 return at some future time
with single companion and the neces-
sary implements for extracting the gold
from the earth. Struck with the Goodness
of Arthur Amherst-for such the lad told
him was bis name-he at once selected
him as his future companion. and hav-
ing unfolded his plans to him, they de-
cided TO set out secretly during the
night.
About midnight, everything being
ready, thev steslthily left the town and
went rapidly IN the direction OF Mount
Shasta, which. though nearly fortv miles
away, could be quite distinctly seen II
was nearly noon tefore they reached
their destinations long, narrow valley
bemmed in on all sides by lofty moan.
tains, through the center of which 6
mountain torrent forced its way. Being
wearied With their long journey they de
cided not to commence operations unit
the morrow. but to spend the afternoon
in erecting "sheler" and in examining
their new surroundings
They we're all calculated to inspire 8
lad like Arthur, who had never seen {
mountain until he came to California
with enthusiasm; great peaks on every
side, whose tops one could easily imag-
inc entered the sky; mighty trees, such
as the New England boy had never
dreamed of before, raised their branches
toward The clouds, the mountain torrent
Itself, Kissing and roaring down the faces
of the cliffs, formed no unimportan,
J part of the magnificent scene, the grand
eur of which could not be surpassed
No wonder the lad was delighted anG
amazed. Nor did the consciousness tha
the very sands be was walking over wer'
tuil of The precious metal, serve to allay
bis excitement.
Long before daylight next morning
they had filed their pans with wba
seemed to he paying dirt, and seating
themselves beside the river, bad com
menced to separate the dirt from th'
ore
1t took hut short time for Ben tc
wash his painful OF dirt, and. with sig
nificant smile, he showed the pan with it
little heap of glittering particles in th'
bottom, to the delighted Arthur. 1t wa
the first virgin gold the lad had eve
seen, and he regarded it with curious
wonder.
"How much is it worth p he asket
the smiling Ben.
"About q dollar, l guess was tn
J answer. "Supposs VIC locate here, lad