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

"We kin live on beans, muttered
Bagley, but what will become Of the
woman an her kids - .
| In the morning there was considerable
excitement in Eureka camp. Two Of the
men, Bsgley and Reed, were missing.
After protracted search the latter was
found near clump Of bushes some dis
tance away in an unconscious state, hav-
ing apparently fallen in fit. They car
ried him back to camp, laid the limp form
on bramble bed and gazed at each 9th.
er in blank dismay.
Call the woman; praps she'll know
what to do" advised Tom Knowles.
The woman did not wait to be called
Seeing that something was amiss she ap-
preached the group. The next moment
heartrendinR cry burst from her lips.
Falling upon her knees, she threw her
arms around the sick man and kissed
his still, white face in a wild, distracted
way. A slight tremor passed over Reeds
frame. He opened his eyes, looking visit
fully at the woman bending over him.
Then gleam Of intelligence illuminated
his countenance he recognized the faith
full wife from whom he had been so long
separated by singular freak Of fate.
For one brief moment soul met soul. He
raised his hand heavenward, murmured
family, up there. Maggie" then earned
his soubriquet Of Silent Reed.
A solemn stillness prevailed around
Eureka camp when Flynn..and his COM
panions returned from their unsuccessful
search for Bagley. The remainder Of
the party were sitting around in despond-
ent attitudes, while Mrs. Reed, with the
sick child on her knees and one hand
fondly resting on the dead mans face,
looked the very embodiment Of inconsol-
able grief. Flynn, tender hearted Tom
Flynn, how his burly frame shook with
sobs as the touching death scene was de-
scribed to him.
Boys" he said husily, I've must
face our hard luck like heroes. have
insisted all along that the Eureka held
fortune for each of US, because | be-
lieved it. But" it cost him a struggle
to utter the next words, which were the
extinguishment Of the hope which had
enabled them to endure privation and
hunger without murmur. But" he
went on, ~ was mistaken. After that
poor creature has grown accustomed to
her sorrow We will bury poor 81 and pull
up stakes. We won't abandon them,
boys. For his sake we must protect those
he loved.
The others heartily agreed to the last
clause. While arranging their plans for
the future, little Maggie bounded down
the hillside, singing blithely, unconscious
Of the bereavement which had befallen
her.
look :" she shouted gleefully, "what
nice stones have found. Full Of bright
specks jes like eyes,
Flynn took the stone which she held
toward him. His face, rough and wes-
ther- beaten, grew pallid with sudden
JOY,
Boys" he whispered in tone Of
suppressed excitement, "she has struck
it, Where did you find this, Maggie ;"
"Way up there, past the big hole"
she replied. vaguely wondering at his
white face.
In moment the2 men fell into line.
Maggie leading the way to the spot where
she found the precious stone. As they
passed the mouth Of the pit, the:scene Of
their fruitless labon. Flynn stopped to
get 9 shovel. The others folio we'd his
example, carrying With them the impls-
msnts they had cast down in hopeless
way the night previous. They set to work
silently. being too much excited to speak.
If disappointment awaited them now!
No. two or three blows, such - had
never been dealt before. told them that
they had struck it at last. They paused.
looked at each other for . moment, then
the hills echoed and re.echoed with the
about Of triumph that burst simultaneous
ly from their lips. .. a.L .5I.,
They returned to camp, Flynn carrying
Maggie on his shoulder, just As Bagiey
appeared in t'ight with q bsg Of provisions
on his back. In a few words he explained
how. before daylight, be had started for
Kiawanna to beg food for the woman
and her children. After hssty dinner,
some Of the men went to select pleasant
spot in which to lay the remains Of their
comrade, and Flynn pet out for town to
make arrangements about having their
camp supplied with provisions.
Several hours later he returned in high
spirits and related how be had encoun-
tered Skinner in tavern, and demanded
the return Of the horse, watch and pistol
that had been entrusted to him. He blus-