Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-23
A MINING STORY.

we must work, j." said Tim Flynn, glanc-
ing ut the piece Of paper in his hand
Eyes, replied Joe Bagley, with a
sleepy yawn, ''but let's 90 to roost
now. We can't do anything more to-
night
The men, eight in number, had been
sitting around . campfire discussing
their prospects. The Eureka Mine orig
inally belonged to y party of Eastern
capitalists, who, having worked it for a
short time and finding it did not ''pan
OUT according to expectations, sold
their interests to men who had just tax
en- possession of the property, which
they firmly believed would prove an
Ell Dorado. They were poor in purse,
for they had invested their all in the
new venture, but were rich in hope and
courage.
1T is q well-known fact" Flynn
would assert twenty times = day, ''that
the Eureka is on u range with the IA
nous Empire, which yields $50, 600 per
ton, and we are sure to strike the same
vein. Some day we will wake up to find
ourselves miIlionaires. 1t is only CUES
ton Of time
The next morning seven of the men.
who were the actual owners, began
work, leaving ST Reed, whom they
termed the silent partner, to do the
chores about the camp. Reed was pale
and thin, and had an anxious, eXpectant
look upon his face He seldom spoke to
any one, which fact had gained for him
the soubriquet of Silent or ST Reed. He
was devotedly attached to Flynn, who
had befriended him while in Sacra-
mento, and exhibited such sincere grief
when lie heard Of his intended departure
for the mines that Flynn invited him to
join the party.
The miners worked like beavers, delv.
inc into the earth that each felt certain
held in her virgin bosom the gold which
would enrich them. They began their
labOrs at the first streak of the dawn,
toiling increasingly through the entire
day, each dreaming his own dream of
future greatness. Weeks sped by; pan
after pan was washed, the contents ex-
amined, then thrown aside. But they
were not disheartened. The gold was
there. The next blow of the pick might
reveal it.
One evening after supper, Joe BagIey
said
'How's the fodder, ST? Last another
week. eh?'
No, hardly enough for another
week.
you must putuS on low rations, then.
What dye say, boys?i
agreed" they answered in chorus.
The next day, whenSi gave each man
his portion, they laughingly declared
that Flynn had received the lion 5
share-which was true; for Reed had
robbed himself in order that his friend
should have his usual supply. albeit no
one suspected the bit Of self-5acriice.
The week was stealing by and they had
not ''strrck il" The hearts of the
miners were growing heavy with dread.
Yet they dared not give vent to their
fears. Each felt that success depended
upon his individual courage, and no one
was willing to dampen the ardor of the
Others by expressing doubts of their Ill
innate triumph.
One day while seated on the ground
eating their midday meal, 4 little girl
appeared before them.
Holy thunder!" cried Flynn, spring
ing to his feet, where did you come
from?n
please, sir, I've been walking ever
so far. Ma saw yer camp fire las night,
and told me how to cit here. She could
not come herself, cause Freddie's sick.
May | sit down? I'm awful tired.'
She glanced timidly at the men,
then at the empty pot in which the
dinner Of beans and bacon had been
cooked.
Where does your ma live?" inquired
Bagley.
"She doesn't live nowhere. We're a
huntin' for pa.
did We expect to find i'm here?"
mo, sir. but we're hungry, and ma
thought ycl'd give us somethin' to eat ="
The men roared with laughter. Some
thing to eat, when they had just devour-
ed their last cut of bacon.
Not another mouthful boys. We
must give the chick what's left" said
Bagley, scraping the remains of each
dinner into his own tin plate. Here,
little one, eat this, andwhen you've sat-
listed the cravins, We can tell us where
We came from"
please, I'd rather take it to Fred
die pleaded the child, 80 cause he'slit-
tie and sick"
''Ye amt bigger'n pint of cider yer
self laughed Bagley. Eat it, an we'll
give ye some for the others
The promise satisfied the child, who
quickly devoured the contents OF the
dish.
'sBeen on low rations. too, Ireckon, ="
chuckled one of the men.
Now tell us about Your mother.
Where is she, and whose trail is she
on?" said Flynn.
'.She's way down there in an old loo
house where nobody lives. We was go
ing to Kiwanna camp, cause we heard
pa was there, but Freddie's too sick.
and mas afraid he'll die; so if ye'l
please give me some whites I'll go back,
cause she's alone.
'.What'u we do, boys?' asked Bag.
ley. I'VE can't leave the critters there;