The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-02-08
BESIDE THE FLUME.

In the spring of 1852 four miners
built their cabin on the bank of a
brawling stream that, with frothing
lips, leaped down from one of the grand
mountain 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 long
race-way or fume.
In the dry bed of the river was To-
Gated Clear River Mine, and the min
ers 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 a tortured bowlderwhirled
along in crazy dance in the river s
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-$2,500
share!" laughed one Of the brown
faced miners. "That's pretty good
showing for a month of rocking the
cradle. A few more dividends like
that and then l reckon that I'll go
home. There's little woman in lit
tie brown house l 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 precious pack
ct Of well-worn letters from loved
ones over the mountains.
But one of them-a frank faced
young fellow-arose 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.
"What'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-a
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
"Tll be with you in short time, boysv'
and then the door closed behind him.
There was neither sparkle of staI
nor the faintest gleam of the moon tc
tighten the shadows into which he
plunged. The air was soft and warm
against his face as woman's breath
No sound came to his ear save the roai
of the frothing flume, which was the
width of the river bed from the cabin
Upton descended the steep bank ant
began to pick his way over the rough
stones of the claim, with the great fact
of the dam rising up at his side lik'
some huge prison wall.
He stopped and listened a moment