Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-26
In THE VALLEY OF DEATH.

In THE VALLEY OF DEATH.
They had ridden far, the two young fell
lows, their blankets and grub carried by
pack-horse, following patiently in their
wake
With youth, muscle, hope in plenty,
they had started out prospecting" What
capital was theirs? No millionaire, SHY
ering with fear of thieves and murderers,
could compare in wealth with these, who
laughed at danger, feared no robber, and
to whom fatigue brought only healthful
appetite and sound repose.
No dreams disturbed their rest. nor
breads their leisure And now the horses,
relieved of burdens and saddles. were con-
tentedly munching their grain, the happy
hearted fellows beside the campfire drank
with gusto the muddy, black stuff they
called coffee" biting with strong, white
teeth the bacon toasted on forks, and
breaking great pieces of very queer "bread"
from the huge loaf placed between them,
enlivening their repast with jokes and
stories, so amusing that their hearty laugh
ter rang out over the desolate country,
frightening the coyotes, who, unaccus-
toned to the sight of man, peered curiously
at them.
They had ridden from Austin, following
the Reese river, narrow little stream
running through the valley to which it
gives its name, and which, suddenly sink
ing into the ground, deprives the earth of
its much-needed water, thus quitting light
and air, for no other apparent reason than
than that it follows the example of every
river in Nevada.
It's mean trick, though" said jim
Vine, for them all to quit her Poor
Nevadap
1t is mean. Just like the millionaires
who have made out Of her the money that
makes them famous, and then spend it else
where! But what do they gain by their
dinners to those who have plenty to eat.
.,nd presents to the rich, who need moth
ing? Comfort? Mo- Fancy, Jim, what
comfort it would be to have woman chas-
ing you around with blood in her eyesr
Or to have giUes away from you, or daughters
married to foreigners! And to know that
every starving wretch who hears your
name curses you because your wealth takes
no care in relieving poor necessity ~
"And their fame 1t is only money after
all Nevada's money. Which, dug out of
her bosom, they sink away from her The
rivers do her some good before deserving
her, but these fellows-neverw
'Pah if money will make me famous
only for the owning of it, if it will close
my heart to one needing favor, and make
me seek the rich, to whom my help is no
assistance, then let me always be poor
Jack Earne, ready to share my bread with
a hungry man, and not throw it in the lap
Of those with filled stomachs."
"D'ye mean it? Then share it with
me r'
Jack Earne had good nerves not to start
at the hollow voice, nor the gaunt figure
that spectre-like crept up to the fire,
stretching out its hand, clutching greedily
at the bread, gulping down the coffee, and
then with a groan saying, "Let me rest.
boys; Pm clean tuckered out" fall back
to sleep They put blankets around and
upon him, asking no questions, saving to
one another, q poor chap strayed off from
his party" ending their Jokes and discus
sions, even going off little from the fire
to enjoy their cigars, that the smoke may
not disturb him. 1t was smoke strong
enough to have disturbed any sleeper or TO
have ruined any digestion less hardy than
Jacks and Jims. These two pronounced
those villanous black sticks splendid p
assuring each other as they critically
tasted, pulled, and tasted the tobacco. pro-
longing their enjoyment with every trick
known to smokers, ''they really were the
finest weeds they had smoked this
year"
But enjoyment will not last forever
even those needs came at last to an end.
and, after glance at their guest to see he
was q all right" Jack and Jim rolled them
selves in blankets and slept easier than
kings upon their beds of down
At the first streak of light Jack awoke.
The stranger was sitting by the lighted
fire, looking more gaunt and enaciated
than he had believed it possible for man
to be and still live.
"Shake," said the stranger, extending a
hand where the bones seemed held together
only by the skin. " My names Bill Bright.
\ healthy, bright I'm / am, eh, boy? and
then he laughed, if so hollow sound could
be called laughing.
The ceremony of introduction over, and
Mr. Vine," Z" Mr. Bright" Mr. Eane,"
resolving themselves into jim" Bill -
and Jack" breakfast was Served" So
Jack called, cutting three pieces of bacon,
handing them on forks "all round" and
putting the bread handy"
Yer hey given me yer cup" Bill said,
noticing that Jack took no coffee. And
when Jack with his gay laugh and bright
smile assured Bill that he only liked
coffee after breakfast, as a wash-down-it
is really more healthy so'-Bill only put
out his hand with another "shake," and
then gulped down something that stuck in
his throat-something that was plainly
perceptible, for his throat was so thin.
Something, too, started to his cavernous
eyes, for he wiped them with his bony
hand, and Jack felt himself so moved that
he had to gUlp something down, and tears
came TO his eyes. There was a shake"
all round, moment of silence and then
Jack broke in with Come, fellows, we'll
never get on If we use up so much of our
feeling, as most of our capital is good
feeling" The sentiment was received With
entire satisfaction and much rapping of tin
cups. Their thoroughly enjoyed break
fast over, the dishes put away, they sat
down to consult.
1t seemed a little curious that the frs
question asked was by the stranger.
"Whar yer gwine, yer two chaps" he
said as, hugging his knees, he looked at
them.
"We're going prospecting" said Jim
Vine
And then Jack with his hearty laugh:
Having plenty of time and strength
and very little money, We thought we'd
try to effect some change Of commodities"
''Commod'tes, COMMODITIES ?' Bill chuck
led with the word, chuckle as hollow as
his laugh. "Commod't ties Greek, guess
Larned chaps. Heaps o readin' an
writin' an no money. Ho, no! Com
mod tesr'
Jack and Jim looked at him chuckling