Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-18

one very heavy rain, but 1t had rather beaten
down than loosened the soil of the abandoned
claim, and in Jacks untutored grasp the pick
swerved as it struck the clayey bed. without
disodging much soil during the first hour
hard labor.
Then the boy stopped to rest, for he could
work no more; the perspiration streamed down
his face, every nerve in his body thrilled from
his unw0nted exercise, and-thOugh he tried to
hold this last fact even from hmself-from his
lack OF food. Away up the river rs far as he
could see, miners were busy plying their picks
or washing their dirt; some of them were stand
ing up to their middle in the swift-runniI e
stream and roaring snatches OF songs as they
rocked their long toms; while Others on higher
ground ccntended with the bed rock that some
times flew off in splinters and threatened the
lives of their comrades. But they didn't seem
to mind danger. 1t made Jacks flesh creep to
watch their reckless movements to see them
mount a high, unsteady water-hume in their
immense mining boots and run half way across
the river on its top to empty their waste dirt in
its bed. As he noted their eXhaust1ess vigOr he
seemed to feel himself grow stronger again; he
recalled Mr.. Finnegan's words and Selling the
pick renewed the struggle. The soil must have
grown softer; it sank in the side embankment
at the third stroke and down came q crashing
rafting, torrent-iike fall of earth, which gave
hlln barely time to spring aside to save himself
from being buried under it.
''LOOkee here, young 'un." bawled out his
nearest neiehbor from the other side of broken
and disused fume that divided the .Dutchman's
claim from what was termed the River Dig
gings. don't smash creation right top of us
all without singing out q word of warnin.
Don't go through it all at once. sonny"
Jack felt abashed at his unioOked-for achieve
ment and knew it could not have been his blows
that did the work. A great body Of mould had
been ready to fall; his pick had loosened stone
ing to instructions, he began at once to test the
value OF his dirt by grading, but before he had
poured one drop of the muddy river water into
the machine thrill of joy shot through his
frame like an electric shock.
He had found gold
Not in the tiny, dull dust that Tips descrp-
ton led him to look for. but the bright, yellow
lakes all through the gravelly SOIL that shOne
and sparkled as clearly as he had ever seen the
polished metal in a jewelers. window do
dozen foolish fancies rushed upon the boy
IN the eXultatiOn of the moment he was
tempted to cry out; to fling up his hat in the
air with loud huzZas: to rush shouting to the
fmnlgans-but the timely recollection Of his
mother came to his mind and sobered him.
quietly as to outward appearance, though he
trenbled and shook with excitement all the
while, he Graded and PANIED out the dirt he
Had shoVeled down. and wrapping the result in
acanvas bag he had found. covered over the
rich soil with loose sprinkling of common
clay.
BY this time it was growing dusk. and he had
been four hours miner!
Jack was only lad, and when he entered
FInnlgan's store. where some of 1.-The bows were
already gathered. the temptation TO boast of his
great luck was strong on him. 1t became stronger
stun Wfen Tip said rather sharply: ''Well. my
fine young gentleman. you've come back empty
handed, suppose, and I've got another boarder
like Dutch Jake
No, indeed, Mr. Finnigan." he exclaimed
proudly; i've got enough"
He felt a touch on his arm and turned quickly.
Mrs. Finnigan was there.
Come in to supper" she said, kindly. Tin
VIII follow when lie has served the boys wild
their whisky"
When they were alone in the kitchen she told
MN to sit down before a pile of sIap-jacks and a
bowl of coffee and ''get start, for he must be
nearly fanllshed with hunger" Then she laid
her motherly hand on his shoulder, saying:
You've met with luck; Heaven bless YOU |
see it In your face. But keep it to yourself
dear: they're good boys, thim"-nodding her
Tip, he's Just jewel. But keep yer luck quiet
like; it will be for yer good"
Hersignificant glance added FORGET to her words
Jack felt that he could safely trust her. and.
Selling the opportunity before Tip came in he
told her what had happened in the Dutcnman's
deserted claim. and showed her the bright dust
In his bag. Mrs. Finnigan was a pfOnecr-a
forty MINER" as they were called-and no one
in the mines better understood placer or surface
diggings than herself.
ers rare good fortune and told him he had struck
a pocket" Three other workers of the same
claim had not the same good luck and then
each, after months of unrepaid labor had aban-
dOned it to give new worker chance to strike
On layer of gold again.
but no one ever realized as Quick as you
Jack, cried Mrs. Finnigan, giving him his plain
name with mining familiarity. you're in big
luck, my dear, but, as I said Wen keep it to
ourselves. And here comes Tip
Alone. JACK never could have preserved his
secret. but Mrs. Finnigan was. powerful alIy
sue Kept her husband away from the claim when
the young miner was cleaning up his tailinrs:
she instructed him in the easiest modes of one
rating. initiated him in all the signs Of the rock
ana SOIL. and aided him in tracing the rich de-
post Till Its last shining grain was separated
from the earth. 1t was a wonderfully rich
pocket After paying for his tools. a months
board. and providing himself with mining boots
and waterproof clothing, Jack had nearly a
thousand dollars worth ofgold dust left!
Mrs. Finnigan was his banker and she told
Tip that the lad was making ''paying wages"
The Claim sustained it's reputation. The
pocket exhausted. Jack worked and toiled day
after day without seeing sparkle in the loads
OF SOIL he beat down into the river. The rains
fumes and stakes, torn down 1.-THE boys" hy-
draulic works, and rendered placer digging next
to impossible.
Squatty Boggs and party of prospectors
Iidu uiScOFereu some wonderfully rich diTriuoS
higher up on the other bank of the river. and
fever for fitting had broken out among the the
citizens OF Dry-up.
Jack had been idle two days: that is. his
hands were still, but his mind lad never been
buster.
Mrs. Finnigan," he said to his friend and adj
wiser, lumber costs about $50 hundred feet
doesn't it!''
land what would you do with it if it could
be had for axing, Jack!" she cried, astonished.
I'D make raft and start ferry right here "
exclaimed the lad earnestly. This is narrow.
deep river. with swift current, and l could
make double cable ferry worked with ropes
and rings. 1t came into my mind yesterday,
when was near drowning in it,
when We risked yer life to save thin hay
then Cinnamon and their mule" interrupted
Mrs. Finnigin. "Sure the breath was Almost
frightened out of my body when l saw We
plunge in. But We plan-go on wild it. Jack:
it's lligant, and will jist make yer fortin' if We
can but carry it through"
Thus encouraged Jack proceeded with his
explanation AS he got on his companion grew
more and more enthusiastic; it's development
would increase their store and tavern trade.
and this insured Mr. Finnigin's cooperation
an important gain in his wife's eyes.
She was a keen-sighted woman and a great
aid to Jack in all his undertakings; she recoe-
n Inn Of h;