Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-05
TIE LUCKY SHOT.

most of the Travellers Rest" as he
assisted me to take off my heavy rid
ing coat.
Every wet, indeed, replied. I've
had my share of it during my thirty
miles ride to-day"
NV host conducted me to room
with a CHEEKY fire burning Ia the
CRATE, and having been served with a
good hot supper, and Hly favorite glass
of good hot brandy, I began to feel
more comfortable. drew my chair
up to the ire, incased my feet in 3
pair of easy slippers and filed my
pipe preparatory to quite smoke,
when | was disturbed by the entrance
of my host.
Wont you join the company in
the next room, sir? We have 3 social
club held here twice week, and per-
haps they may amuse you during the
evening"
with pleasure I replied. So, TAX
ing my glass and pipe, | followed my
landlord into the large room, which
was almost filed with numerous
company. At the moment of my en-
trance they were listening with evil
dent satisfaction to story told by one
of their number. My host briefly in
treduced me, and I took a chair close
to the story-teller, and prepared to en-
joy nay smoke.
Now, Mr.. White, you must begin
your story again, in honor of the
gentleman. So Mr.. White recon-
meBced.
You must know, gentlemen" he
began, 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 l gave
him searching look. What did [
see? The lope of his left ear was miss
ing. l half started from my seat, up
setting the glass of brandy at my
elbow, and startling the entire COM
pany generally.
II beg pardon, gentlemen; sudden
spasm-that is all !" [ stammered
Out.
''It is all the same man." 1 solilo-
quized.
was supplied with q fresh glass OF
brandy, and Mr.. White resumed:
''Well, / was only q young fellow
at the time, and had got bitten by the
gold fever ike many OtHer people be-
sides, Every paper contained dazzling
accounts OF the riches to be found in
that far-of land, so at last I made up
my mind TO go ana try my luck.
When I told Mary, she cried, and [
tried to dlssuade me, but it was of no
use; was determined; and soon after
left home for London, where [ enter
ed my name on the books as a steer
age passenger on board the clipper
built line, Australasia.
'Mary was his sweetheart" inter-
rurted my left hand neighhor.
II well remember the day we sail
ed. The scene at the dock was very
affecting. Husbands were parting
from wives, brothers from sisters,
fathers from children, young fellows
from sweethearts, and was not sorry
when the tug towed us out to sea. We
we're motley company. There were
representatives Of all classes-labor-
.rs, mechanics. broken down lawyers,
students, clerks, and good sgrinkling,
too, of the hangers about town,
and even a couple of Methodist minis
ters. All were going to try their
fortunes in the New Eldorado. We
had very good weather during our
voyage and suffered but little from
seasickness. / made many acquain
tances, but there was one man | took
aversion to. He was called Mapping
Bill. He was ; tall, broad shoulder
ed fellow, With great stock Of red
hair and close cropped beard pair
g I Ill h ri
to vanish beneath his shaggy eyebrows
when any one addressed HIM, and an
expression that showed him to be the
reverse of a quiet and respectable
man.
''In due time we arrived at Mel
bourne. It was then a mere collection
of wooden houses and hastily Thrown
up shanties, and was peopied by
representatives from nearly all civiljz
ed nations on the face Of the earth.
Twenty of us formed a party, brought
some tools, and proceeded TO the dig
gings on foot. Arriving there, we
bought claims, and set to work to
unearth the long talked of gold. My
chum was a steady going fellow,
called Sandy-a Scotchman. Wedug
Il SHAT, uadIeo Up luS SOlu OCesI lug
earth, and washed it in large box
with plates full of holes. The water
washed away the earth, leaving the
gold in the form of nuggets and dust
on the plates. For week or so We
found little or nothing, and my
golden dreams began to wane. Then
one morning Sandy gave shout of
Joy, and, hastily ascending the shaft,
saw in the cradle several nuggets of
pure gold. I was half mad with de-
light, and for the rest of the day I
worked with the energy of two men.
Before nightfall we had more than
twenty ounces of small nuggets and
dust. We stitched it up IN small
canvas bags, eand bid it for safety in
the floor Of the tent. We went on
this way for months; then our claim
began to give out.
Just tabout this time a convoy was
going to Melbourne to take some gold