The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-06-02

Auis tNuNFu tuN hTNAbNNs s''N"
miles away from the nearest post though
the deacon Was never known 10 have any
other companion than his ragged. gray.
little 5aryu-the news had spread. The
wind rufiing the green plumes above the
deAcons head as he bent over the glitter
ing quartz laid bare by his pick, may have
whispered /, sbroad; or the crested Jay,
furtiyely watching him with keen, round
ewes from the spruce's topmost boughs
NAV have borne il sfar At any rate, the
deacon's strike was a secret DO longer.
Singly, and by twos and threes, the
prospeotors came the boom. Then, as ii
by magic. there arose Mountain City
city Of dug.outs and canvas tents, stragg-
ling up and down the narrow guleh and
terminating in nucleus Of few rudely-
built Lighthouses at its head.
The deacon, whose original discovery
had called into existence this city OF a day
WAS no wise elated at his success, nor, af-
ter the fashion OF the wsyward prospector,
given TO conyiyiality threat. He altered
not little OF his ways, but silent and
self-contained as ever, pursued his daily
task OF opening the lead with the same
patient endeavor with which he might
followed the pillow over the rugged bills OF
his native New England state
Regarding the deacon in some sense as
its sponsor, the camp hadn been unkindly
disposed towards the morose old man. 1t
had made many friendly and socisble ef
forts at affiliation, but being invariably
repulsed, had desisted as it became tRcit'
| ly understood its life and his held little in
common.
For il was evident the deacon regarded
with disfsvor the recreations OF the lively
camp. The enticing strains issuing from
the dance. house stirred not his sluggish
pulse. He carefully avoided the tigers"
paw and held himself aloof from the allure
ments OF the miners Retreat, where
nightly coterie Of choice spirits met for
genial game Of 'freeze-out, and soci.
able discussion on the affairs OF the camp.
Naturally the deacon's self-elected is.
olation drew upon him many comments.
Many were the wild and improbable con
lectures as to his history, but of this no
man knew one iota, it continued to be
wrapt in mystery as inscrutable as the
daocon'a hard. favored face
A little thrill Of excitement ran through
the camp, therefore, when 1t was rumored
the deacon had sold the "Green Mountain
Boy" for a mere nominal sum. Nor was it
allayed when one morning the deacon
packed his little tent upon the gray 6,oro
and took his departure from their midst.
Away from the haunts of man, in the
solitude of the hills, the deacon seemed in
a more congenial element. His tent was
finally pitched near the summit Of the
range on rugged mountain side. SCARED
and borrowed by the hand OF Time, like
the deacon's own harsh countenance. And
here daily from sun to sun he prosecuted
in his slow determined way, his search
for the hidden silver vein beneath.
Seated near his camp fire one evening,
he was quietly resting after the labors OF
the day, distributing, as was his custom,
bits of bread and bacon to the gray burro.
Suddenly the burro pricked up his long
ears, and the deacon glancing around saw
man approaching slowly from below.
As he drew near he recognized, with any
thing but pleasure, a young man who had
been the livelest of the lively camp. His
dress. different from that of the ordinary
miner, was stained and torn, and his face,
haggard and sunken, was turned upon the
deacon with eager expectancy.
am famishing, he exclaimed. abruptly,
dispensing with any salutatation. viii
you give me something to eaty
For reply the deacon motoned to the
Wand still beside the smouldering fire.
The other waited for no more, but set to
at once. And as the deacon noticed his
tremulous hand and the avidity with which
he ate, and something like compassion
crept over his hard features.
From the camp? he asked, at length, as
the other had somewhat satisfied his hun
ger.
Yes. left three days ago. / have eat
en- nothing since till now. My departure
was rather sudden, ss you can Judge, he
added with a forced laugh.
The deacon glanced at HIM inquiringly
The other avoided his gaze and fixed his
ewes in a sullen stare upon the fire, After
A pause he continued abruptly, in tore
Of assumed leyity.
Twas invited 10 leave for the good Of the
community by the vigilance committee.
All! exclaimed the deacon, with grim
look.
Yes. the other continued, never once
taking his eyes from the fire and speaking
as though the words were drawn from HIM
forcibly. / might tell you that it was a
mistaken identity and all that--but
won't. I've got bad name in the camp,
and dom say but what deserve It. My
partner was strung for stopping the coach
but they couldn't prove it on me, so they
only told me 10 skip.
They couldn't prove il. said the deacon
shortly. But did you
!, No, did not. the other broke IN fisrce
Q ly. / have been bad enough, but not 81
bad as that l told them so but the,
wouldn't believe it. tell you the same
, and don't expect you to either L hav'
. eaten and rested. and lnow III go, he add
. ed, in . weary tone ss he rose, trembling
partly with excitement, partly will
exhaustion.