Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-06-20
A Mining Story.

it look important on paper Z tell you
boys, we've got good thing, but we
must work = SAID Tim Flynn, glancing
at the piece Of paper in his hand.
Yes, replied Joe Bagly with slee-
py yawu, 'but let's go to roost now.
We can't do anything more tonight
The men, eight ir number. had been
sitting around a camp fire discussing
their prospect. The Eureka mine orig
inally belonged to a party of Eastern
capitalists, who, having worked 1t for
short tine and fndlng it did not "pan
out" according to expe Citations, solo
their interest to the men who had sds'
taken possession ofthe property, which
they firmly belieyed would prove an E
Dorado. They were poor in purse, fo
they had invested their all in the new
venture, but were rich in hope an(
courage.
1T IS well-known fact Flynn
would assert twenty times day, 'tha'
the Eureka is on a range with the IA
nous Empire, which yields as high al
thirty thousand per ton. and we arr
sure to strike the same vein. Some day
we will wake up TO find ourselves
milionaires. 1t is only a question o
time.'
The next morning seven Of the men
who were tie actual owners, began
work, leaving 81 Reed, whom they
termed silent partner, 10 do the chore;
about The camp. Reed was pale ant
thin and had an anxious, expectant
look upon his face. He seldom spoke
TO anyone, which fact bad gained him
the soubriquet of Silent or 81 Reed
He was devotedly attached to Flynn.
who had befriended him while in Sacra-
mento, aud exhibited such sincere grief
when he heard Of his intended depar-
ture for the mines, that Flynn INVITED
him 10 join the party.
The miners worked like beavers
delving down into the earth that eacf
felt certain held in her virgin bosom
the gold which would enrich them.
They began their labors at the 6rst
streak OF dawn, toiliug increasingly
through the entire day, each ming
his own dream Of future greatness
Weeks sped by; pan after pan was
washed, the contents exanlued then
thrown aside. But they were not dis
heartened. The gold was there. Th'
next blow Of the pick might reveal it.
One evening, after supper, Jeo Bagll
said :
'How's the fodder, 81? Last another
week, eh |?
no, hardly enough for anothe
week.
You must put US on low rationi
then. What dye say, boys''
Agreed they answered in chorus.
And next day, when 81 gave each
man his portion, they laughingly de-
clared that Flynn had received th
lions share-which was true for Rec,
had robbed himself in order that hi
friend should have his usual supply
albeit no one suspected the bit of self
sacrifice. The week was stealing ava.
and they had not struck it, The hearts
OF the miners were growing heavy will
dread. Yet they dared not give ven
to their fears. Each felt that success
depended upon his individual courage
and no one was willing to dampen th'
srdor of the others by expressing doubts
Of their ultimate triumph.
One day, while seated on the grounC
eating, their midday meal, little cir
appeared before them.
'Hello!' cried Flyn D, springiDg t
his feet where did you come from
| Please, sir. I've bin walking ever 81
far. Ma, saw yer campfire las nigh
and told me how to get here. Sh
couldn't cone herself, cause Freddie
sick. May J. sit down Pm awful
tired
She glanced hmidly at the men, ther
at the empty pot in which the Dime
OF beens and bacon had been cooked
Where does your ma live p inquire
lBigly.
She doesn't live nowhere. We're
hunting for pa
Did you expect to 6ad i'm here p
No, sir ; but we're hungry, and m
thought you'd give US somethln' Il
eat:'
The men roared with laughter. Some
thing TO eat, when they had just deyor
ed their last cut Of bacon.
Not another mouthful, boys. w
must give the chick what's leit,' sal
BaQly, scraping The remains OF eac
dinner into his own tin plate. Her
little 'un, eat this, and when yo''
satisfied the cravin's. ye can tell
where ye come from.'
'Please, I'd rather take it TO Freddi
pleaded the child, cause he's little
sick
. 'Ye amt bigger'n a pint OF eide
/, yerseli,' laughed Bagly. Eat 1t, a
we'll give We some for the Others
= The promise satisfied the child, wi
n quickly devcured The contents OF I'll
. dish.
'Been on low ratlons. loo, ! reckon