Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-09
A MINING STORY.


tell you. boys, we've got good thing,
but We must work - said Tim Flynn,
elsncing at the piece Of paper in his
hand.
YES" replied Joe Bagley. with q
tsltepy yawn. but let's 20 to roost now. {.
We can't do any more tonight"
The men, eight in number. had been
sitting around camp fire, discussing
their prospects. The Eureka mine orig
inally belonged to 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 FL Dora
do. They were poor in purse, for they
had invested their all in the new ven-
ture, but were rich in hope and courage.
1t is well known fact" Tim Flynn
would assert, twenty times day, that
the Eureka is on arrange with the fam
Gus Empire, which yields as high as thir-
ty thousand per ton, and we are sure to
strike the same vein. Some day we will
wake up to find ourselves millionaires.
Its only a question Of time"
The next morning seven Of the men,
Who were the actual owners, began work,
leaving 81 Reed, whom they termed si-
lent 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 10 anyone, which fact
had gained him the soubriquet Of Silen,
or 81 Reed. He was devotedly attached
to Flynn, who had befriended him while
in Sacramento, and exhibited such sim
cere grief when he heard Of his intended
departure for the mines, that Flynn in-
vited him to join the party.
The miners worked like beavers, delv-
ing down into the earth that each felt
certain held in her virgin bosom the gold
which would enrich them. They began
their labors a, the first streak Of dawn,
,oiling 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 nigh,
reveali,.
One evening, after supper, Joe Bagley
said:
"How's the fodder, 81, Last another
week. eh,"
NO. hardly enough left for another
week"
You must put US on low raiions 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
himself in order that his friend should
have his usual supply, albeit no one sus-
spected the bit Of self-sacri6ce. The week
was stealing away 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
individual courage, and no one was will
ing to dampen the ardor Of the others BY
expressing doubts Of their ultimate tri-
umph.
One day, while seated on the ground,
eating their midday meal, . little girl ap-
pesred before them.
Hello!' cried Flynn, springing to
his feet, "where did you come from p
"Please, sir, I've been walking ever so
far. Ma saw yer campfire last night,
and told me how to get 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
Bsgley.
"She doesn't live nowhere. We are
a-hunting for papa" sd
Ibid you expect to find i'm heres'
mo. sir; but we are hungry, and
ma thought you'd give US something to
eat"
The men roared with laughter. Some
thing to eat, when they had Just devoured
their last cut of bacon.
"Not another mouthful, toys. We
must give the chick what's left" said
Bagley, scraping the remains Of each din
ner into his own tin plate. "Here, little
'un, eat this. and when you've satisfied
the cravings, ys can tell US where ye
come from"
"Please, Id rather take it to Freddie,
pleaded the child" ''cause he's little an
sick"
.,vo 49,, h;coa'n q Mint of ctdey rer