The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-03-29

than against him. His one object
seemed to be to accumulate money, and
where his companions disposed of the
greater part of their dust at the bars
and eard-table, every grain of his went
into paying claims or other easily turned
property. Though he was never known
to take unfair advantage in any of his
dealings, vet it was understood that he
expected and would claim every farth-
inc of what was due to him, and that he
never allowed sentiment or pity to in
terfere with his Business transactions.
Although he had been among them
but a short time, he was looked upon as
a successful miner, and was regarded
with envy by the new comers. When
the project of prospecting the very CEN
tire of the territory possessed by the
warlike hill-Indians was broached he
was the first to respond to it, The eX-
pedition would be attended with such
terrible dangers and hardships, how
ever. that few could be induced to Join
it. At length, won by the reports of
enormous riches concealed in the
mountains, dozen bold spirits struck
off into the wilderness. Tobacco Bill,
the noted Indian fighter, was to lead the
expedition, and he declared it as his be-
lief that every one who escaped the
vengeance of the Indians and the teeth
of the grizzlies would come back loaded
down with gold.
But the Iniuns. boys,' he would say
dubiously; ''thar's the rub. They re
thicker'n hornets and a burned sight
more spiteful. Mebbe wen slip 'em,
though, an if we do, boys, III show We
something that would make our friends
at Yankee Flat turn wild if they could
see it. I've been thar. Great flakes big
as marbles an thick as grasshoppers;n
and his eyes sparkled greedily at the
recollection of the gold.
The report of the dangers which
would beset them had not been eXag-
gerated. On the third day out they
were attacked by Indians and two Of
their number killed. The next day a
comrade became too venturesome and
fell from precipice to the stones be-
low. Another was attacked by con-
tagious disease and abandoned.
But at length after weeks of hardship
the goal of their hopes was reached.
Bruised, ragged and exhausted, all their
sufferings were forgotten in the glitter
ing prize spread out before them. Deep
between two overhanging cliffs, where
the sun never penetrated, and far even
from the haunts of the nomadic Indians,
the riches of the earth seemed to be
hidden away. Great boulders of quartz,
whosesoriginal color was almost lost in
the glittering crust of yellow metal
which overspread them were every
where. Scattered over the ground were
nuggets almost as large as hens eggs,
which had lain there for countless ages
Little wonder that the WEAKNESS of the
men was forgotten, or that they toiled
far into the night, ceasing only when they
had to drop for very weakness.
Day after day they worked on, scarce
ly speaking to one another lest they
might lose moment from the precious
harvest. Night after night the rich re-
suits of the days toll were hidden away
in the common treasury until at length
the leader gave orders to discontinue
work, as they already had more than
they could carry away.
Then came another long march
through the country of the red-men and
wild beast, and one after another was
left behind, with no further use for the
treasure they had worked so hard to
obtain.
One day the miners of Yankee Flat
were surprised to see four gaunt, fierce
eyed men stagger into camp bending
under the weight of what appeared to
be bundle of skins. Itwas some time
before they were recognized as members
rNf a linz fnI-nnt+ntt Ylrn ca,y
pedition. But they answered all the
eager questions with scowls and threats,
and when one curious miner approached
too near their bundles they shot him
down with fierce curses. After that
they were let alone, and few days
subsequently quietly disappeared.
Some six weeks later Colonel Harvey
was sitting in his costly home, looking
anxiously over some papers just received
from his lawyer
'Ruinedr' he groaned. 'Hopelessly
ruined! Oh, poor Gertrude!''
At that moment he heard steps out
side, and a moment after stern, care
worn man entered the room. Colonel
Harvey looked at him curiously. His
face was strangely familiar, but he could
not recognize the fierce eyes and half
gray hair.
: Colonel Harvey" the apparition be-
gan abruptly, Il have come to buy your
daughter. What is the price?'
''Sirpn shouted the colonel, bounding
from his seat.
Don't get excited" continued his
visitor, satirically. Il am only Charley
Harrington, come after your daughter.
My love could not win her, so | have
come to buy her. You are utterly
ruined. [ have bought up your notes.
l have gold, more than you ever dream
ed of in your widest moods. Go tell
your daughter have come after her."
You still love her?n inquired the
colonel, looking at him doubtfully.
mo, that all died out as | lay awake
at night in the mountains thinking of
my treatment Think you that suffer
ings enough to turn my hair gray and
make an. old man of me would rot
destroy the greatest love? But | offer
what is better-gold. Cali Gertrude. y
But why prolong the story? All the
city is acquainted with Gertrude's mar
riage with the enormously rich but half
crazy miner, and how he keeps her in
the strictest seclusion, while she appar-
emily worships the very ground he treads
on.