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

lieved it. But" 1t cost him a struggle
to utter the next words, which were the
extinguishment of the hope that had en-
abled them to endure privation and
hunger without murmur But" he
went on, 81 was mistaken. After that
poor creature has grown accustomed to
her sorrow we will bury poor ST and
pull up stakes. Wewon't abandon them,
bows. For his sake we must protect
those he loved.
The others heartily agreed to the last
clause. While arranging their plans for
the future, little Maggie bounded down
the hillside, singing blithely. uncon-
scious of the bereavement that had be-
fallen her.
Look she shouted gleefully, swhat
nice stones [ have found. Full of bright
specks, jes like eyes.
|. Flynn took the stone she held toward
him. His face. rough and weather.
beaten, grew pallid with sudden JOY.
Boys" he whispered in a tone of
suppressed excitement, ''she has struck
it. F." Where did you find this, Mag
gie?"
''Way up there. past the big hole"
she replied, vaguely wondering at his
white face.
In moment the men fell into line.
Maggie leading the way to the spot
where she found the precious stone. As
they passed the mouth of the pit, the
scene of their fruitless labors, FLYNN
stopped to get shower. The others fol-
lowed his example, carrying with them
the implements they had cast downin a
hopeless way the night previous. They
set to work silently, being too much ex-
cited to speak. If disappointment await
ed them now. No, two or three blows,
such as had never been struck before,
told them they had ''struck it, at last.
They paused, looked at each other for
moment, then the hills echoed and re-
echoed with the shout of triumph that
burst simultaneously from their line.
They returned to camp, Flynn carry
ing Maggie on his shoulder, just as Bag
ley appeared in sight with bag of
provisions on his back. In few words
he explained how before daylight hehad
started for Kiwanna to beg food for the
woman and her children. After hastv
dinner some of the men went to select
pleasant spot in which to lay the re-
mains of their comrade, and Flynn set
out for town to make arrangements
about having the camp supplied with
provisions.
Several hours later he returned in high
spirits and related how he had encoun-
tered Skinner in p tavern and demanded
the return Of the horse, watch and pis-
toll that had been intrusted to him. He
clustered and swore awhile and finally
agreed to sell his claim for the articles
he had already appropriated to his own
use. Flynn did not apprise him of the
lucky turn of fortunes wheel, but took
precautions to have the exchange legally
drawn up.
''He played us mean trick" con-
Guided Flynn, but [ got the best of him,
and now propose to transfer his share
to the orphans and widow of our old
friend"
No dissenting voice was raised against
the proposition; furthermore. they all
declared that Maggie should henceforth
be called the ward of the Eureka Min
iEg Company.
The next day ST was buried, and
week later, when the success of the mine
had become an established fact, Mrs.
Reed and her children were taken back
to Sacramento. The change of fortune,
coupled with the death of her husband.
proved too much for the poor woman,
and the two orphans became the actual
wards of the Eureka Mining Company.