The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-30
THE LUCKY SHOT.

every wet day, sir" said the CHEEKY
host OF the "Traveer's Rest, as he as
sisted me to take off my heavy riding
coat.
Every wet, indeed" replied. owe
had my share of it during my thirty
miles ride today"
Mine host conducted me to room
with a CHEEKY fire burning in the CRATE,
and having been served with a good hot
supper began to feel more comfortable.
l drew my chair up to the fire, encased
my feet in a pair of easy slippers and
filed my pipe preparatory to a quiet
smoke. when I was disturbed by the en-
trance Of my host.
"W ont you join the company in the
next room, sir2 We have social club
held here twice a week, and perhaps
they may amuse you during the evening"
"With pleasure | replied. So, tax
ing my pipe l followed my
landlo into the large room, which was
almost filled with numerous company.
At the moment of my entrance they were
listening with evident satisfaction to a
story told by one of their number My
host briefly introduced me, and | took a
chair close TO the story-teller, and pre-
pared to enjoy my smoke.
"Now, Mr.. White, you must begin
your story again, in honor of the gentle
man. So Mr.. White recommended.
You must know, gentlemen he be-
gan, that the scene of my tale lies in
Australia, Just about the time Of the gold
fever there"
The tones of the speakers voice seemed
familiar to me, and | gave him a search
ing look What did see2 The lobe of
his left ear was missing. / half started
from my seat, upsctting a glass at my
elbow, and startling the company gen
orally.
- beg pardon, gentlemen; a sudden
spasm that is ALL" | stammcred out.
g. 1t is the same man" | soliloqui1ed.
| was supplied with a fresh glass, and
Mr.. White resumed:
Well, | was only young FELLOW at
the time, and got bitten by the gold fever
like many other people beside. Every
paper contained dazzling accounts OF the
riches to be found in that far off land. 50
at last | made up my mind to 90 and try
my luck. When | told Mary, she cried.
and tried to dissuade me, but it was OF
no use; | was determined; and soon af-
ter left home for London, where en-
tered my name on the books as a steer.
age passenger on board the clipper built
liner, Australasia"
"Mary was his sweetheart" inter
ruptcd my left hand neighbor.
Il well remember the day we sailed
The scene at the docks was very affecting
Husbands were parting from wives
brothers from sisters, fathers from chill
dren, young fellows from their sweet
hearts, and was not sorry when the tug
towed us out to sea. We were n motto,
company. There were representatives o
all casses-laborers, mechanics, broker
down lawyers, students, clerks and {
sprinkling, too, of the hangers an about
town, and even a couple of Methods
ministers All were going to try thei
fortunes in the New Edorado We haC
had very good weather during our voy
age, and ! suffered but little from sea-sck
ness. made many acQuaintances, bu
there was one man | took an aversion to
He was called Mapping Bill. lie was
tall broad shOuldered fellow with a grea
shock of red hair and a close cropped
beard; a pair of small ferrctlike eye
that seemed to vanish beneath his shagg
eyebrows when any one addressed him
and an expression that showed him to b
the reverse OF quiet and respectabl
Iuan.
in due time we arrived at Melbourne
1t was then mere collection of woodc
houses and hastily thrown-up shanties. an
was peopled by representatives from neal
ly all civilized nations on the face of tn
earth. Twenty Of us formed party
nd 10
to the diggings on foot Arriyin
there, we bought claims, and set TO wor
to uncarth the long-talked Of gold VI
chum was steady-going young fellow
called Sandy-a Scotchman. We dug
shaft, hauled up the gold-bearing earth
and washed it in a large box with plate
full of holes. The water washed ava
the earth. leaving the gold in the form
OF nuggets and dust on the plates. Fo
week or so we found little or nothing
and my golden dreams began to wanC
Then one morning Sandy gave a Shot
of joy, and hastily ascending the shaft
/ saw in the cradle several nuggets c
pure gold | was half mad with delight
and for the rest Of the day worke
with the energy Of two men. Rcfor
nightiall we had more than twenty our
ceS OF small nuggets and dust. W
stitched it up in small canvas bags, an
hid i for safety in the floor of the tenn
We went on this way for months, the
our claim began to give out.
Just about this time a convoy WI
going to Melbourne to take some gold t
the bank there. We therefore agreed
send some of ours to be deposited in II
bank and get notes in exchange. WhC
We got to the place of starting ! WI
surprised to see, among the mountc
troopers forming the escort, my shocl
headed voya9er. / mentioned my di
trust Of him to my chum; and
consequence we only sent half of Il
intended quantity. The fellow evident
knew dis,rusted him, for when | we
up with our parcel he gave a malicio
look that BODIED me no good. ri