Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-02-06

In the spring of 1852 four miners
built their cabin on the bank Of a
brawling stream that, with frothing
lips, leapcd down from one of the grand
mountain Businesses Of the Golden
State.
Then they constructed a 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 long
race-way or llume.
In the dry bed of the river was To-
Gated Clear River Mine, and the min
crs soon found all their labor well re.
warded: for the sands Of the mountain
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 tortured bowlderwhirled
along in a crazy dance in the rivers
cold embrace.
The last ounce of shining dust had
been taken from the delicate scales,
and the four men grouped around the
rude table, looked into each others
eyes that shone brighter with the light
Of success, than the gold for which
they had so patiently toiled.
"Ten thousand dollars, boys SO, 800
share." laughed one Of the brown
faced miners. "Thats a pretty good
showing for a month of rocking the
cradle. A few more dividends like
that and then reckon that I'll &c
home. There's a little woman in lit
tie brown house | know of that will
be glad to see me-bless her brave lit
tie 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 a precious pack
ct of well-worn letters from loved
ones over the mountains.
But one of them-a frank faced
young fellow-aroso from the table,
glanced half-anxiously, Misunderstanding.
ly at his companions, then turned from
them and went to the little cabin win
dow and looked out into the night.
"Nhat's the trouble with you, Up
ton?' was the general inquiry
Upton strobe uneasily toward his
fellow-miners.
81 cannot answer your questions,
boys; for, the truth Of it is, don't
know myself. l can only say that a
feeling as if we are in mortal danger
this very moment is upon me, and !
can't shake it off! "
A laugh went around the table,
hearty, ringing laugh-the laugh Of
men who scorn the thought of danger,
and yet they could not but feel i'm
pressed by the young fellows earnest.
ness.
Upton joined in the laugh at his ex-
pense; but that strange, far-off look as
of one whose spirit is not 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,
"l'l be with you in a short time, boysn'
and then the door closed behind him.
There was neither sparkle of star
nor the faintest CLEAN of the moon to
tighten the shadows into, which he
plunged. The Or was soft and warm
against his face as woman's breath.
No sound came to his ear save the roar
of the frothing hume, 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 huge prison wall.
lie stopped and listened moment.
lie heard queer little gurgles faint,
soft, tapping sounds-a soft, subdued
swish, as of hurrying waters; and yet,
after all, there was certain, ruthless
calm about those strong unseen foods
behind that cool, dark wall, that bore
evidence of immense power.
Thud 1t was as it some mighty,
Titanto nlssles had haen hnrled aoainst