Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-05-16


out word Of warning. Don't go through
II all ut once, sonny"
Jack felt abashed at his unlocked for
achievement, 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 that held it back
and so 1t came down. According to In
structions, 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.
lie had found gold.
Not In the tiny, dull dust that Tips de-
scription led him to look for, but In bright
yellow flakes all through the gravelly soil,
that shone and sparkled as clearly as he
had ever seen the polished metal in jew
eler's window do.
A dozen foolish faucies rushed upon the
boy In the eXultation OF the moment; he
was tempted to cry out; TO ding up his hat
in the air with loud huzzas: to rush shout
ing TO the Finnigans-but the timely rec
objection OF his mother came TO his mind
and sobered him.
Quietly as to outward appearance, though
he trembled and shook with excitement all
the while, he Graded and panned out the
dirt he had shoveled down, and. wrapping
the result in a canvas bag he had found,
covered over the rich soil with loose
sprinkling OF common clay.
BY this time 1t was growing dusk, and
| he had been four hours miner.
Jack was only lad, and when he enter
ed Finngan's store, where some OF 1.-The
| boys" were already gathered, the tempta-
tion TO boast of his great luck was strong
on him. II became stronger still when
Tip said, rather sharply; "Well, my ine
young gentleman, you've come back empty
handed, ! suppose, and I've got another
boarder like Dutch Jake"
"No, indeed, Mr.. Finnigan," he eXclaim-
ed, proudly; " I've got enough"
! He felt touch on his arm, and he turned
| quickly. Mrs. Finnigan was there.
"Come in to supper" she said, kindly /;
"Tip will follow when he's saryed the Logs
wild their whiskey."
When they were alone in the kitchen she
told him 10 sit down before a pile of slap
Jacks and bowl OF coffee, and "get 4
start, for he must be nearly famished with
hunger" Then she laid her motherly
hand on his shoulder" You've met with
luck; Heaven bless you; see 1t in your
face" she said; "but keep ii TO yourself,
dear; they're good boys, Thin. nodding
her head in the direction of the store, land
a for Tip, he's just jewel; but kape yer
luck quiet like; II will be for your good"
Her significant glance added force TO her
words. Jack felt he could safely trust her.
and seizing the opportunity before Tip
came In, he told her wha, had happened in
the Dutchman's deserted claim, and show
ed her the bright dust In his bag Mrs. +.
was 4 piOneer-a forty miner" as they
were called-and no one in the mines bet
ter understood placer or surface digginss
than herself
She laughed deIightedIy at the young
strangers rare good fortune, and told him
he had struck "p0cket.' Three other
workers of the same claim had had the
same luck, and then each, after months of
unrepaid labor, had abandoned 1t TO give
new worker a chance 20 strike on layer
of gold again.
" But no one ever realized rs quick as
you, Jack" cried Mrs. FinnigaD, giving
him his plain name with mining familiari-
ty. "You're in big luck my dear; but, as
said, We'll keep it to ourselves. And
here comes Tip"
Alone, Jack never could have preserved
his secret, but Mrs. Finnlgan was pow
erful ally; she kept her husband away from
the claim when the young miner was clean
ing up his tailings she instructed him In
the easiest modes of operating, initiated
him In all the signs of the rock and soil
ard aided him in tracing the rich deposit
till It's last shining grain was separated
from the earth. II was wonderfully rich
pocket After paying TOR his tools, months
board, and providing himself with mining
boots and waterproof clothing, Jack had
nearly thousand dollars worth of gold
dust left
Mrs. Finnigan was his banker, and she
told Tip that the lad was making "paying
wages"
The claim sustained its reputation. The
pocket exhausted, Jack worked and toiled
day after day without seeing a sparkle in
the loads OF soil he beat down into the
river. The rains had begun in furious
force, and carried away the fumes and
stakes, torn down "the boys" hydraulic
works, and rendered placer digging next
TO impossible.
Squatty BOggs and party OF prospec-
tors had discovered some wonderfully rich
diggings higher up on the other bank of
the river, and the fever for fitting had
broke out among the citizens OF Dry-up.
Jack had been idle two days; that is, his
hands were still, but his mind had never
been buster.
Mrs Finnigan," he said to his friend
and adviser, lumber costs about $50 per
loo feet, doesn't it:"
"And what would you do with it If it
could be had for aXing, Jack?" she cried,
astonished.
"Id make raft and start ferry right
here" exclaimed the lad earnestly. "This
is n narrow, deep river, with swift cur
rent, and could make double cable fer
~ worked with ropes and rings. 1t came
into my mind yesterday when was near
drowning in it."
"Whin We risked yer life to save thin
haythen Cinnamon and their mule, inter-
rupted Mrs. Finnigan. "Sure the breath |
was almost frightened out Of my body when |
saw We plunge in. But yer plan-go on
wild it, Jack; it's Elegant, and will jst make |
yer fortin' if We carry it through"
Thus encouraged, Jack proceeded with |
his explanation. As he got on, his COM |
panion grew more and more enthusiastic; I;
its development would increase their store |
and tavern trade, and this insured Mr.. Fin |
nigan's co-operation-an important gain in |
his wife's eyes.
She was keen-sishted woman and a
great aid to Jack in all his undertakings; |
she recognized at once the value Of his new |
enterprise, and showed him how to make
it practical at the least cost.
She bargained with departing miner
for the uprights of his cabin at low rate, |
and of them Jack, with Tips help, made
and set the stakes for his cable 10 be fast
ened on. The grocer foresaw brisk bus
iness at the whiskey keg, when his store
became ferry house, so he urged forward
the enterprise and did not spare his own
labor in securing its completion. Jack
was a natural mechanic, and his energy
and contrivance were crowned with tri-