Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-02-06
THE LUCKY SHOT.

had my share OF it during my thirty
miles ride o-day.
Nv host conducted me To a room
with CHEEKY fire burning Id the
CRATE and having been served with a
good hot supper, and my fayorite glass
of good hot brandy, l began TO feel
more comfortable. l drew my chair
up to the fire, incased my feet in a
pair of easy slippers and filled my
pipe preparatory to quite smoke,
when / was disturbed by the entrance
OF my host.
Wont you join the company IN
the next room, sir2 We have social
club held here twice week, and per
haps they may amuse you during the
evening"
with pleasure, replied So, TAX
ing my glass and pipe, | followed my
landlord into the large room, which
was almost filled 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 Ny host briefly IN,
troduced me, and took chair close
to the story-teller, and prepared to en-
Joy my smoke.
NOW, Mr. White, you must begin
your story again, in honor OF the
gentleman" SO Mr.. White recon-
menced.
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 Il searching look. What did L
see? The lopa of his left ear was miss
ing. | 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 I" | stammered
out.
ct is all the same man" | solilo-
quized
was supplied with fresh glass of
brandy, and Mr.. White resumed:
"Well, | was only a young fellow
at the time, and had got bitten by the
gold fever like many other people be-
sides, Every paper contained dazzling
accounts oil the riches to be found IN
that far-oif land, so at last made up
my mind to go ana try my luck.
When | 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 L enter
ed my name on the books as steer
age passenger on board the clipper
built line, Australasia.
"Mary was his sweetheart, inter
rurted my left hand neighbour.
al 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 swcetheartS, and ! was not sorry
when the tug toved us out to sea. We
we're motley company. Thore were
representatives of all classes labor
RS, mechanics, broken down lawyers,
students, clerks, and good sprinkling,
too, of the hangers-On about town,
and even 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 acqualn.
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 a close cropped beard; pair
of small, fcrret-hke eyes that seemed
TO vanish beneath his shaggy eyebrows
when any one addressed hum, and an
expression that showed him to be the
reverse Of 4 quiet and respectable
man.
In due time we arrived at Mel,
bourne. II was then mere cole elton
of wooden houses and hastily thrown
up shanties, and was peopied by
representatives from nearly all civill2
cd nations on the face of the earth.
Twenty of us formed Il party, brought
some tools, and proceeded to the dig
glngs on foot. Arriving there, we
bought claims, and set to work to
unearth the dong talked of gold. My
chum was steady going fellow,
called Sandy.-a Scotchman, Wedug
shaft, hauled up the gold bearing
earth, and washed it i'll 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 a shout of
JOY, and, hastily ascending the shaft,
| saw in the cradle several nuggets OF
pure gold | was half mad with de-
light, ana for the rest of the day |
worked with the energy of two men.
Before nightfsll we had more than
twenty ounces of small nuggets and
dust We stitched il up In small
canvas bags, and hid it for safety in
the floor OF the tent We went on
this way for months; then our claim
began TO give out,
Just Iabout this time convoy was
going TO Melbourne to take some gold
TO the bank there. We therefore
agreed to send some of ours 10 be dc
posted III the bank aud get notes in
exchange. When we got to the place
of starting | was surprised to see.
among the troopers forming the
escort, my shock headed fellow
voyager. | mentioned my diStrust of
him 10 my Chum, and in consequence
we only sent half Of the intended
quantity. The fellow evidently knew
distrusted him, for when | went up
with our parcel he gave malicious
look that bode me no good. The
escort numbered ten or fifteen, we'll
armed troopers, with a four-horse
wagon, and they left early in the
morning for their destination We
gave them three ringing cheers at the
boundaries of the camp, and wished
them safe return | had a singular
foreboding that had seen the last of
my gold, but l mentioned my fears to
none but my chum.
The day following | went to Mat
Durn's drinking hut-a place ire
quented by the lucky finders and
loafers-to hear the days news. The
saloon was full of diggers. Some
were discussing the days finds; others
were playing poker, the stakes being
nuggets of dust; the majority were
standing at the bar drinking and
smoking. called for drink, filled
short Guilty, and took seat among
the card players.
"'Well, Tom, how's your luckf
said broad shouldered Yorkshireman
who had come over with me.
Very poor at present. replied.
"'Have hand then, man; win
n,pr duet OF ,,Dl-or &c hatfa. tb ~, J;..-