The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-03
A Red Mountain Romance


was snow still in the mountains-many
feet of snow-but it had melted in the
valley, and the wooden pavements of the
little mining camp were as dry as though
it were July. Over in Hallelujah Gulch
great strike had been made, and num-
oers of prospcctors thronged the streets.
and stood in groups at every corner One
rough miner turned and looked after Sc
ieni and her father and the old hand
organ.
This 'ere's q city now, boys!" he
cried. "Look at the organ grinder come
to town"
"Give us tune, old man" called out
3 second miner.
''Let him alone, boys" said a third
tDon't you see he's blind!"
Selcni led her father down the narrow
street and piloted him safely through the
noisy crowd. AS she turned corner she
spied al unpretending restaurant. din
ner fifty cents" the sign read, and she
paused before the open door.
"We1l 60 in and git some dinner,
dad. I'm fearful hungry"
She led her father to one of the small
tables. and he slipped the organ from
his back. Then she drew an old ban
dana handkerchief from her pocket and
united one corner. A few ten-cent
pieces and little roll of nickels dropped
out on the table.
"Got enough, Selcni?' asked her
father, anxiously. His quick ear had
caught the click of the coins.
''Lots." said Seleni, shortly.
She hastily tied up the money, and
going to the counter, ordered dinner for
her father, and for herself-a bowl of
muSh and milk.
II was pretty near starved" said the
old organ-grinder. as he ate his roast
beef with relish. ''Il'ain't the meat
good, SclenisH
''Bet your lifc!' answered Seleni,
calmly, taking sip of milk.
"And the tomats and the rice puddin'2"
eyes, dad. Don't stop to talk"
Seleni soon finished her own simple
dinner, and leaned back in the stiff
wooden chair. Two miners near looked
up admiringly. Selcni'S eyes were large
and black-as had been those of her
Italian mother-who had died when she
was born. Heavy braids of blue-black
hair were wound around her head, and
her cheeks and lips were crimson. Her
old straw hat was tied down with
faded ribbon; her dark-blue dress was
stained and shabby. She work a blanket
shawl around her slender shoulders.
"We've had a splendid dinner, h'ain't
we2" said her father, rising and taking
the organ on his back.
Seleni paid the restaurant keeper and
tied UP the few nickeIs that remained.
Then she took her fathers arm and led
him to the corner of the street
"Well stop and play here, dad"
Her father patiently began to turn the
crank of the old organ. Seleni stood be-
side him and eagerly sanncd the faces of
the passers-by. So few seemed to think
the music worth paying for. A lady gave
Seleni ten-cent piece, and miner care
lessly tossed quarter toward them. But
their supper and nights lodging were
to be paid for, and so few ,nickels were
left in the bandana handkerchief.
It grew late at last The organ
grinder had played through all his tunes.
"1ou're tired, dad" said Selcni, as her
father paused. "We'll 60 and find some
place to sleep"
eve don't want no supper. do we,
Seleni2 We had such hearty dinner" )"
eyes, dad," said Seleni, family.
"And it was, late, too," added the old
man. cit must ha been most 1 o'clock" :"
''Be you hungry again, dad?" asked
Seleni, looking anxiously into his face.
''Not q mite" answered her father,
cheerfully. "s'posc play little longer.
'Tain't dark yet, is it? Let's walk along"
They turned corner and found them
selves on side street in quiet neigh
borhood. There were lace curtains at
the windows of some of the small cabins.
An open door gave glimpse of a
bright Brussels carpet. Suddenly a
young girl appeared at window, and
raising the sash, carelessly tossed into the
street half -withered bouquet of hot
house flowers.
seleni quickly glanced up at the lady,
who was young and had fair hair. This
much she remembered always.
The bouquet rolled to the young girls
feet, then stopped. She stopped and
picked up the flowers. They were only
little faded; some of the roses were
quite fresh and fragrant. 1t must have
been a beautiful bouquet once. Why
did the young lady throw it away so
soon2
1t grew toward seven o'clock Selcni
and her father had paused before a large
hotel. The piazza in front was crowded
with men. Some of them gazed at the
girl who stood so patiently beside the old
organ. Her hat slipped back and her
black hair lay in rings on her smooth,
white forehead. Seleni did not know how
pretty she was and why the men stared
at her so. She knew that she was tired
and hungry. She wished some one would
toss them some money.
A young man came down the hotel
steps. He wore a blue flannel shirt, an
his coat was quite as shabby as the one
Seleni's father wore He stood in front
of the organ, with his hands in hi:
pockets. For few moments he did mo-
speak, but seemed to be listening t(
the music. Then his eyes fell on tht
flowers.
"Whcrc'd you git 'em?" he said, sud
denly.
''Found EN-" answered, Seleni, quite
as shortly.
He came step nearer and held out hi
hand
"Let me see EN-
But Sclcni drew back hastily.