Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-11-29
SELECT STORY.
The Peril and Escape.

brswling stream, that, with frothing
lips, leaped down. from one of the
grand Businesses of the Golden
State.
Then they constructed solidly
built dam Of logs completely across
the stream which they named Clear
river, thus shutting off the water
from its bed, the overflow escaping
by a long racs-way, or flume.
In the dry bed of the river was To-
Gated Clear river mine, and the min
ers soon found all their labors we'll
rewarded ; for the sands of the noun
tain torrent literally shone with gold
that had been torn from some
crumbling quartz ledge that had
barred its breast to the turbulent
waters for centuries, or from many a
tortured bowlder whirled along in a
crazy dance in the rivers cold en-
brace.
The last ounce Of dust had been
taken from the delicate scales, and
four men grouped around the rude
table looked into each otRsf's eyes
that shone brighter with the light of
success than the gold for which they
had toiled SO patiently.
''Ten thousand dollars, boys!-
twenty-five hundred = share !" laugh
ed one of the brown-faced miners.
'Thafs apretty good showing for
month of rocking the cradle. A few
more dividends like that, and then l
I'll 60 home. There is little
woman in little brown house l
know of that will be glad to see me-
bless her brave little heart.."
Home! The four partners in the
Clear river mine were all from the
far-away East, and at that word stern
faces softened, and more than one
hand involuntarily sought ragged
breast, wherein was concealed q
precious packet from loved ones over
the mounntains.
But one Of them-a frank-faced
young fellow, rose from the table,
glanced half-anxiously, half-hesltat-
ingly at his companions, then turned
from them and went to the little
cabin window and looked out into
the night.
"What's the trouble with you, Up
ton ?" was the general inquiry.
Upton strobe uneasily toward his
fellow miners.
81 cannot answer your question,
boys, for the truth of it is, | don't
know myself. can only say that
feeling as if we are in mortal danger
this very moment is upon me, and l
can't shake it Off"
A laugh went round the table-a
hearty, ringing laugh-the laugh of
men who scorn the thous hit of dan
ger, and yet they could not but feel
impressed by the young fellows ear
nestness.
Upton joined in the laugh at his
expense, but that strange, far-off look
as of one whose spirit is uot with
the body never left his face. He
went back to the window again, and
then threw open the cabin door,
turned his head and said, pleasantly; +;
'I'll be with you in a short time,
boys" and then closed the door be-
hind him.
There was neither sparkle of star
nor the faintest gleam of the moon to
Tighten the shadows into which he
plunged. The air was soft and
warm against his face as a woman's
breath. No sound came to his ear
save the roar of the frothing flume,
which was the width of the river bed
from the cabin.
Upton descended the steep bank
and began to pick his way over the
rough stones of the claim, with the
great face of the dam rising up at his
side like some great prison wall.
He stopped and listened moment.
He heard little queer little gurg-
ling sounds - faint, soft, tapping
sounds-a soft, subdued swish, as of
hurrying waters; and yet, after all,
there was Il certain ruthless calm
about those strong, unseen floods,
about that cool, dark wall, that bore
evidence of great strength.
Thud! 1t was as if some mighty
Titanic missiles had been hurled
against the walls. 1t was only an
uptorn tree borne with terrific force
against the dam, several feet above