The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-09-13
A Mining Story.

sleepy IdWN, 'Uul lei go 10 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
mally belonged to a party Of Eastern
capitalists, who, having worked it for a
short time and finding it did not pan
ont" 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 Dor
ado. They were poor in purse, for they
had invested their all in the new venture,
but were rich in hope and courage.
1T is a well-known fact" Flynn would
assert twenty times a day" "that the
Eureka is on a range with the famous
Empire. which yields as high as thirty
thousand per ton. and we are sure to
strike the same vein. Some day we will
wake up to find ourselves millioMaires.
1t is 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 81
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 to anyone, which fact
had gained him the soubriquet OF Silent
or 81 Reed. He was devotedly attached
to Flynn, who had befriended him while
in Sacramento, and exhibited such sin
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 at the first streak Of dawn,
toling 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 nick might
reveal it.
one evening, after supper, Joe Bagly
said:
Flows the fodder, 81? Last another
week, ell ?"
mo, hardly enough for another week
"lou must put us on low rations then
What dye say, boys? y
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-
pected the bit of self-sacritice. 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 bis
individual courage, and no one was will
ing to dampen the ardor Of the others by
expressing doubt Of their ultimate tri-
umph.
One day, while seated on the ground
eating their midday meal, a little girl ap-
peared before them.
Hello !" cried Flynn, sprnging to his
feet, "where did you come from
please, sir, I've been walking ever sc
far Ma saw yer campfire las night
and told me how to get here. She
couldn't come herself, cause Freddie's
sick. May sit down? I'm awful tired
She glanced timidly at the men, ther
at the empty pot in which the dinner OF
beans and bacon had been cooked.
"Nhere does your ma live ?" inquired
Bagly.
"She doesn't live nowhere We're a
hunting for pa"
"Dld you expect to find i'm here ~
"No, 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 devour.
ed their last cut of bacon.
"Not another mouthful, boys We
must give the chick what's left" sale
Bagly, scraping the remains of each din
ner into his own tin plate. "Here, little
'un, eat this, and when you've satisfied
the cravin's, ye can tell us where yt
come from"
'Please, I'd rather take it to Freddie
pleaded the child, ''cause he's little an
sick
"Ne amt bigger'n pint of cider yer
self" laughed Bagly. Eat it, an well
give We some more for the others
The promise satisfied the child, who
quickly devoured the contents OF the
dish.
"Been on low rations, too, reckon,
chuckled one of the men
''Now tell us about your mother
Where is she, and whose trail is she on 2
said Flynn.
'She's way down there in an old log
house where nobody lives. We was 60
ing to klWanna camp, cause we heard pc
was there, but Freddie took sick, anl
mas afraid he'll die; so if yell please
give me some wlttles I'll 90 back, 'caust
she's alone"
"What'll we do, boys ?" asked Bagly
"We can't leave the critters there some
of us must go with the chick and bring
them here
Creed can be spared" suggested one
Of the men.
"Bah" interrupted Ben Skinner, {
surly, ill-natured fellow" Reed, will
his white face, that grows whittier every
day, If the woman saw him she'd think
death had come for the youngster, sure.
The men glanced toward 81, who was
leaning against a tree, apparently obliv-
ious Of whaG was going on around him
and evidently did not hear the unteelins
remark.
LOOK here, boys" remarked Flynn
gravely, "our larder is about empty, ant
we must replenish it. Let's draw lots tt
decide who will ride into town for pro
vender We are out of funds, but this,
taking valuable watch from his pocket
"can be left as security
"And this can keep it company" sale
Bagly, producing a handsome pistol
Skinner drew the slip of paper upor
which the word "go' was written.
"Ihe little gal can sit before ye, an(
ye can stop at the cabin and give this
the last OF our hard tack, to the woman,
said Bagly.
Fleetwood, their only horse, was quick
ly saddled, and Skinner started on his
errand.
"Tell yer ma to fight her luck a few
hours longer, and when supplies come
We'll give ye a rousing SUPPER" shouted
Bagly, as they rode away.