Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-12-24
A WOMAN'S REVENGE.
BY BETH DAY.

Fly Guloh and Rat Gully had been
rivals ever since they became the sites of
mining villages. Gold had been discovered
simultaneously in the two, and up to the
time this story opens they had kept upon
pretty oven footing.
When The Filters erected saloon the
Raters sent across the mountain for paint
10 decorate theirs, which was already
month old. When the Filters built an
hotel. the Rattors raised a flag pole and
capped the climax by calling into their
service the fingers Of Irish Mollie, the
wnshnwoman, to fashion flag; it was
fearful1y and wonderfully made, but Of
the best the place affordcd-two led-nannel
shirts, pair Of blue jeans overnlls, and two
flour sacks-bUt it represented the national
coors, and sublime was the shout that
echoed afar when Sailor Joe climbed the
slender flagstaff and nailed it to the top.
There it Hultcred for weeks, net alone the
flag of their country, but the symbol of
their triumph over the Filters.
But now Fly Gulch had engaged field
preacher, and the Hattcrs hadn't card to
play.
Great, then, was their delight when it
was stated down at the saloon that Mrs.
WILDER, a scheol-teacAer, had arrived by
the last stage from the States, and would
be glad to follow her occupation among
them.
building was hastily prepared, for
money was not wanting for the project,
the few children in the camp gathered in,
and the school began.
Not, however, before the Committee
mau" had made o speech to the open
mouthed barbarians, i'll which he stated
that they had struck it rich in securing
Mrs. WILDER for teacher, and if any of
thom made her any trouble they would
have TO answer TO every man in
the camp. The committee suddenly
developed great interest in the
educational ability Of the youthful Ratters,
and some member called daily to inquire
Of their progress; Us the camp, to man,
considered themselves on the committee
the visitors were frequent.
Mrs. Wilbur dressed in mourning. ga
widow" said the camp, and she did not
affirm or deny. She was slender, daintily-
built woman, with dark pathetic eyes, and
wealth of fluffy, golden hair. She was of a
sociable. cheerful disposition, and soon
had speaking acquaintance with every
man in the camp. They never lacked sub
jects to talk on, and the most astute
among them never perceived that Mrs.
Wilbur always led the conversation and be-
fore she had been among them q month,
knew tho name and history, SO far as it was
known of every one there.
With the early autumn q shadow fell
upon the Gully; there was no denying it,
nobody had found q nugget or had struck
il rich for a month; nature was lavish in
her gifts Of gold to the blossoms, but the
most industrious miner was not averaging
an ounce week and the boys were down
on their luck. 1t was in the first years of
tho gold fever and such state of things
was unprecedented. Gloom, which even
tho bright California sunshine could not
dispel, settled over the camp.
Into rude cabin standing apart from
the rest, stepped, just rs the sun was sink
ing, tall, gloomy looking man, clad in the
picturesque garb of the miner. He closed
The door with bang and throwing himself
upon tho rude settce, filled a short pipe
with tobacco, and, lighting it, began to send
out the smoke in short, angry whiffs.
Presently the tranquilizing weed be-
gan TO have it's effect, he arose, lit
fire in the rude fireplace, and, having
of Of at lid nc
Pipe and sat down as the door was pushed
open for the second time, and q man. al
most the opposite of the first, entered.
He lad frank, open countenance, dark
blue eyes, that had q trick of smiling when
ever he spoke, though at other times the
shadow of some sorrow, or heart hunger,
seemed TO he in their depths. Unlucky
Ben, as his comrades called him, had been
used roughly by Dame Fortune, especially
i'll tho mines, but it had not dulled his
CHEEKY smile, Or, as yet, soured his sunny
disposition.
"What luck, Bill?" he asked, cheelily, az
he came in.
"None," growled the other shortly.
Nothing more was said until the two
men drew up before the fire, then Bill re-
moved his pipe to ask with half sheer:
II suppose you found fortune?"
'"Can't say as to that" replied the other,
.abut I've found place where it is likely
rs good as here, an we can wash as much
in one day as we do here in two, and no
more work either, and 1 deal that we move
the long Tom an other traps Tomorrow
an try it for week"
"You'ye boon prospecting round tho