Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-11
A LINING STORY.

"'Eareka Gold Mining Company. o."
Don't 1t look important on paper? L tell
you, boys, we've got good thing, but we
must work, said Tim Flynn, glaucing at
the piece Of paper in his hand.
yes, replied Joe B8gley, with sleepy
yawn, ''but let's go TO rooss now. We
can't do anything more TO night.
The mea, eight in number, had been sit
ting around p campfire discussing their
prospects,. The Eureka mine originally
belonged 70 q party of Eastern capitalists,
who, having worked it for a short time and
finding it did not pan ont according to
expectations, sold tneir interests to men
who had Just taken possession of the prop
erty, which they firmly believed would
prove an Et Dorado. They were poor in
purse, for they had invested their all in the
new venture, bat were rich IN hope and
courage.
at IS 3 well-kuown fact" Flynn would
assert twenty times day, that the Eu-
reka is on range with the famous Empire,
which yields $4,000 per ton, and we are
sure to strike the same vein. Some day we
will wake up to ind ourselves milhonaires.
It is only question Of time"
The next morning seven of the men, who
who were the actual owners, began work,
leaving 81 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 81 Reed. he was devo5ediy attached
TO Flynn, who had befriended him while
in Sacramento, and exhibited such sincere
grief when he heard of his intended de-
parture for the mines that Flynn invited
him TO join the party.
The miners worked like beavers, del7ing
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 tae dawn, toiling IN
eeasingly through the entire day, each
dreaming his own dream Of future great
ness. Weeks sped by; pan after pan was
washed, the contents examined, then thrown
aside Bat they were not disheartened.
The gold was there The next blow of the
pick might reveal it.
0ne evening alter supper Joe Bagley
said:
"How's the fodder 81: Last another
week, eh p
"Eo, hardly enough for another week.
" Y OF muet put us on Low rations, then,
What dye say, boys p
agreed, they answered in chorus.
The next day, when 81 gave each man
his portion, they laughingly declared that
Flynn had reserved the lions shsre-waich
was true for Reed had robbed himself in
1Sfder that his friend should have his usual
supply, albeit no one suspected the bit OF
self sacrifice.
TIE week was stealing by and they had
not struck It, 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 indi-
vidual courage, and no one was willing to
dampen the ardor of the others by ex-
pressing doubts Of their ultimate triumph.
0ne day while seated on the ground eat
ing their midday meal a little girl appeared
before them.
holy thundero cried Flynn, spring
ing to his feet, where did you come
from :"
"Please, sir, I've been walking ever so
far. Ma saw yer camp fire las night, and
told me how to git 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 10 which the dinner of beans
and bacon had been cooked.
Where does your ma live?" inquired
Bagley.
"S6e doesn't live nowhere. We're
ahuntin' for pa.
did ye expect TO find i'm here p
mo, sir, but we're hungry, and ma
thought you'd give US somethin' to eat.
The men roared with laughter. Some
thing to eat, when they had just devoured
their last cat 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 sin plate. Here, little one, eat
this, and when you've satisfied the cravins
We can tell us where ye came from"
"Please, I'd rather take it to Freddie, y
pleaded the child, "'cause he's little and
sick"
eye amt bigger'n pint of cider yer
self, laughed Baglsy. Eat it, an we'll
give ye como for the Others.
The promise satisfied the child, who
quickly devoured the contents of the dish.
a" Been on low rations too, reckon,
ehuckled one Of the men.
Now tell Us about your mother. Where
ia she, and whose trail is she on ?" said
Flynn.
"She's way down there in an old log
house where nobody lives. We was going
TO kiwsnBa camp. cause we heard pa was
there, bus Freddis's too sick, and mas
afraid he'll die, so if yen please give me
some whites I'll 60 right back, cause she's
alone"
"Thas'n we DO, boys % asked Bagley.
I'VE can't leave the critters there some
of US must 60 with the chick and bring
them here"
Reed can be spared. suggested one of
the men.
"Bah !" interrupted Ban Simmer, a
surly, ill-natured fellow Reed, with his
white fscs, that grows whittier every day. If
the woman saw MIN she'd think death had
come for the youngsser sure"
The men glanced toward 81, who was
now leaning against tree, apparently
oblivious of what was going on around
him, and evidently did not hear the unfeel-
ing remark.
"L0ok here, boys remarked Flynn,
gravely, "our laCder is about empty and
we must replenish It. Let's draw lots to
decide who viii ride into town for proven
der. We are out of funds, but this, :" tax
ing valuable watch from his pocket, ''can
be left as security"
"And this can keep it company, said
Bagley, producing handsome pistol.
"Skinner drew the slip of paper upon
which the word ego" was written.
1.-THE little girl can sit before ye, and ye
can stop at the osbin and give this, the last
of our hard tack, TO the woman" said
Bagley.
One of the men came forward with a
flask of whisky, which he asserted would