Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-10-26

diving, and her hot tears rained upon his
face. Still eslept. The gray dawn was
breaking over the wooded east. Streaks
Of silver and gold shot through the pine
trees. In short time the family would
be up, or a neighbor passing by woulC
stop to ask what was the matter. Sht
must get him into the house, into his
own room, and there try to revive him.
Just as she was about to exert all her
strength TO lift him. she heard footsteps
on the gravel, and saw old Pete, the col
ored man of all work. coming around a
corner of the house Old Pete was an
early riser, and liked to have his chores
SO he said The old man stood for me-
ment and surveyed the scene he tool
in the situation at a glance. and from
his cooiness in the matter one might
have inferred that it was not the first
time that he had seen his young master
in this condition.
"Oh, Pete, Pete, what shall we do
Mr. John is very ill and can't woke
him." sobbed Mrs. Hurlstone.
''Jes' you go in the house and leave
him /, me, Miss Kitty; I'll soon bring
him to-" said Pete, laying down the
bucket he was carrying to the well.
"What are you going to do to birnF
anxiously inquired the mother, kisslils
her sons damp forehead.
"This amt no place for you, Miss
Kitty; you go inside, out Of the COLI
T.. L.. hi
that'll bring him round" And he suited
the action to the word, rubbing the
young mans ears with his horny palms
till the mother begged him to stop Bui
Pete knew what he was alout for in
minute or TWO Jonn opened MS eyes m
lull. listless way. stared at his mother
and closed them again. Then Pete re-
sumed his rubbing, and he opened his
eyes wider and tried to get up
go into the house. please. Miss Kitty;
this amt no sight for you to see. Leave
him to me. I'll get him to bed" And
he gently pushed his mistress inside the
door, and then he helped his master to
his feet.
whats the matter, Peter said John
rubbing his eyes.
"Nothin uncommon" answered Pete,
laconically. "Jes' take my arm, and I'll
help yer to bed
John took the arm of the faithful
negro, and staggering slightly, got to his
room. where the old man addressed him
and put him in his soft white bed There
he soon fell fast asleep, but not SO heavi-
ly this time While the son was sleep
ing in his room the mother was lying
on her couch upstairs racked by grief
too deep for tears. But she knew that
she must get up and put ON cheerful
face before her children and be ready to
answer any questions they might ask her
about John.
Fortunately, John was never an early
riser, SO their suspicious were not very
much excited. They asked why he didn't
come to breakfast. and their mother re-
piled that he had bad headache-per-
haps a truer statement than she had
thought About II O'Clock John ap-
peared upon the scene, and except for a
slight pallor in his cheeks and faint
tinge of gray under bis eyes. he looked
as fresh as rose He had had cold
bath. good rubbing down, and cup of
hot coffee, and he felt pretty bright. His
hands trembled little as he held the
morning paper up to read, and he had no
appetite for the nice little breakfast his
mother brought him; otherwise he was
IN fine condition. He had forgotten all
about the night before. and he wondered
il it could have been a tear he saw in his
mothers eye when she kissed him good
morning The mail had just been fetched
up from the postoffice. and Mrs. Hurl-
stone handed Johr. large, business like
envelope, addressed to him in rough
hand. An elaborate stamp on the out
side bore the name of "The Grand
Mutual Dividend Mining company.
John ripped open the envelope ner
vously. and his eyes glistened as they
ran down the page.
Mother this is from Col. Mortimer
of Ours; he has organized a mining com
pany on a new plan and he wants me foi
secretary. He offers good salary and
little work. and am to go TO New York
at once. Tn sorry TO leave you. mother
dear. but this is an opportunity not to be
lost Mortimer has great head foI
schemes. If he goes into one you may
be sure there's money in it--at least for
him. added John, with laugh
Mrs Hurlstone did not Join in tn,
laugh. for If there was man in Or
world whom she feared and dislikea
was Col Andrew Mort.ner He was
brave soldier. buta corrupt and hard
man. and she knew that his iniiueRV
over John was anything but good
"You don't congraralltr me. molhe,
said John, gayly. putt,lS his ar'aa aro2
her waist and kissing h'H sAdsi
did not How could she. knoN'tls
she knew?