Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-06-08
MAGGIE .STRUCK IT."
A Mining Story.

you, boys, we've got good thing, but
we must work." said Tim Flynn, glancing
at the piece of paper in his hand.
EYES," replied Joe Bagly with sleepy
yawn. "but let'sgo to roost now. We
can't do anything more tonight"
The men, eight in number, had been
sitting around camp fire discussing
their prospects. The Eureka mine or
iginally belonged to a party of Eastern
capitalists, who, having worked it for a
short time and finding it did not "pan
out according to expectations, sold
their interest to the men who had just
taken 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.
sit is well known fact" Flynn would
assert 20 times day, "that the Eureka
is on range with the famous Empire,
which yields as high as $4,000 per ton,
and we are sure to strike the same vein.
Some day we will wake up to find our
selves millionoires. 1t is only a oues.
ton of time.
The next morning seven of the men,
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 anyone, which fact had gained him
the soubriquet of Silent or 81 Reed. He
WAS devotedly attached to Flynn who
Z hn1 1,af Icl u IL; ;lo
to, and exhibited such sincere grief
when he heard of his intended depart
ure for the mines, that Flynn invited
him to ioin the party.
The miners worked like beavers, delv-
;.cg down into the earth that each felt
certain held in her virgin bosom the
gold which enriched them. They began
their labors at the first streak Of dawn,
toiling increasingly through the entire
day, each dreaming his own dream of
future greatness Weeks sped by; pan
after paE 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 Bagly
said.
.How,s u the fodder. 81? Last another
week, eh?"
aNo, hardly enough for another
o.. must put us on low rations then.
What dye say, boys?"
Agreed" they answered in chorus.
The next day, when 81 gave each man
his portion, they laughingly declared
that Flynn had received the lions share
which was true; for Reed had robbed
himselfin order that his friend should
have bis usual supply, albeit no one sus-
spected the Bit of self-sacrifice. The
not "struck it." The hearts of the min
ers 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 ul-
innate triumph.
One day, while seated on the ground
eating their midday meal, a little girl
appeared before them.
Holy thunder" cried Flynn, spring.
ing to his feet, "where did you come
from?n
Please, sir, I've bin walking ever so
and told me how to git here. She couldn't
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 beer. cooked.
Where does your ma live?" inquired
RssIy.
huntin' for pa.
Did ye expect to find i'm here?"
No.. sir: but we're hungry, and
ma thought you'd give US something to
eat"
The men roared with laughter. some-
thing to eat. when they had just de-
voured their last cut of bacon
Not another mouthful, boys. We
must give the chick what's left," said
Bagly, scraping the remains of each din
ner into his own tin plate. Here, little
M, eat this, and when you've satisfied
the. the erayin's, s.i1 ye can tell US where ye
Please, I'd rather teke ito Freddie, y
pleaded the child, "canse he's little an
sick"
eye amt bigger'n pint of cider yer
self" laughed Bagly. Eat it, an well
give ye some for the others"
The promise satisfied the child, who
quickly deyoured the contents Of the
'sBeen on low rations, too, I reckon, y
Now tell us about your mother.
Where is she, and whose trail is she on?H'
said Flynn.
She's way down there in an old log
house where nobody lives. We was 90.
ing to Kiwanna camp, cause we heard
pa was there. but Freddie took sick, and
mas afraid he'll die; so if yen please
give me some wittle I'll 60 back, cause
she's alone"
"What'll we do, boys2" asked Bagly,
We can't leave the critters there, some
Of us must go with the chick and bring
them here.''
Reed can be spared" suggested one
of the men,"
"Bah!'' interrupted Ben Skinner, a
surly, ill-natured fellow Reed, with
his white face, that grows whittier every
dayi If the woman saw him she'd think
desth had come for the youngster sure"
The men glanced toward 81, who was
leaning against tree, apparently obliv-
ious Of what was going on around him,
and evidently did not hear the unfeeling
remark.
Look here, boys" remarked Flynn,
gravely-"our larder is about empty,
and we must replenish it. Let's draw
lots to decide who will ride into town
for proyender. We are out of funds,
but this" taking valuable wacth from
l.. .s-. 4