South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-08-10

the entire day, each dreaming his own
dream OF future greatness. Weeks
sped by; pan after pan was washed.
the contents examined, then thrown
aside. But they were not disheart.
ened. The gold was there. The
next blow of the pick might reveal it.
One evening after supper, Joe Bag
ley said:
'Dow's the fodder, ST Last an.
other week, ell 2
mo. hardly enough for another
week
You must put us on low ratious,
then. What dye say, boys?'
Agreed. they answered in chorus.
The next day, when 81 gave each
man his portion, they laughingly de.
clarcd 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 suspected the bit of self.
sacrifice. The Week was stealing by
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
telt that success depended upon his
individual courage, and no one was
willing TO dampen the ardor Of the
others by expressing doubts Of their
ultimate triumph.
One day while seated on the ground
eating their midday meal, little girl
appeared before them.
Holy thunderr Grid Flynn, SPRING
ing to his feet, whore did you spring
from p
lleasc. sir, I've been walking ev,
er 50 far. Ma saw your camp fire last
night AMI told me low to git here.
She could not come herself, cause
Freddie's sick May | sit down ? I'm
awful tired
She glanced timidly mt the men,
then 1t the empty pot in which the
dinner OF beans and bacon had been
cooked
'Wh does your ma live p inGuir-
Cd Bagley.
She doesn't live nowhere. We're
q hun;in' for pa
'Did yc expect to find i'm here p
NO, SIT, but we're hungry, and ma
thought you'd give US somethin'to eat.
The men roarcd with laughter
Something 70 eat, when they had Just
devonred their last cut of bacon.
Not another mouthful, boys. We
must give tho chick what's left said
Bagley, scraplng the remains of each
dinner into his own tin plate. Here,
little one, eat this, and when you've
satisfied your cravins, yo can tell us
where We came from
Ilea'c, I'd rather take it to Fred
die pleaded the child, cause hes lit,
tie and sick
'Ye amt bigger'n y pint of cider
YOURSELF laughed Bagley. eat it.,
an we'll give yc some for the Others
The promise satisfied the child who
! qnic<ly dcvourcd the contents of the
DISH.
Been on low ralions, too, reck
on chucllicd one OF the men.
Now tell us about your mother.
Where Is she, and whose trail is she
/ on SAID HIynn
She's way down there in mn old
log house where nobody lives. We
was going to KiWanna camp, 'caus we
( heard pa WAS there, but FredIie's too
sick. and mas afraid he'll die; so if
yon II please give me some whites Iii
90 back, 'cansc shes alone
'What'll we do, boys 2 asked Bag.
ley. we can't leave the critters
there; some OF Us must 90 with the
chick and bring them here
Reed can be spared suggested one
Of the men.
Bah ! interrupted Ben Skinner. n
surIy, ill-natured fellow; Reed with
his white face, that grows whittier ev.
cry day. 1t the woman saw him she'd
think death had come FOR the young.
ster sure
The men glanced toward ST., who
was now leaning against tree, ap,
/ Parcntly Obliviou5 OF what was going
on around him, and evidently did not
hear the unieeling remark.
LOOK here, boys remarked Flynn
grayely, our larder is about empty.
and we must repleuish it. Let's draw
lots to decide who will ride into town
for proyender. We are out of funds.
but this taking a valuable watch
from his pocket, can be left as sccu-
rity''
And this can keep it company
said Bag!cy, producing handsome
pistol.
Skinner drew the slip Of paper upon
which the word go was written.
The little girl can SIT before sc. and
We can stop off at the cabin and give
this, the last of our hard tack. to the
woman said Bagley.
One Of the men came forward with
q flask OF whisky, which he asserted
would 'straighten out the little chap. ,
Fleetwood. their only horse. was
I quickly saddled and Skinner started
on his Grand
Tell ypr ma IN 6grbt bor I,,,t- q, 60,