Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-08-23

to do.
"Reckon we know what'ud be our
business in sech er case" one of them
answered; ''but it hain't hardly likely es
ole Ike'll ever strike Rattail Gulch agin.
Guess he thinks too much wv is hide fer
that"
The miners resumed their work and
nothing more was said of old Ike and the
robbery, since every one felt certain that
he was gone for good, and that Rattail
Gulch and Rockrift Camp would never
again be graced by his appearance.
It was late in the evening and the men
had eaten their suppcrs and were enjoy
ing a smoke outside the cabins, when
from away down the gulch there foated
up on the soft breeZes the notes of rude
song. Listen, fellers, old Sam said.
For minrte they remained perfectly
silent, and softly, almost sadly, the breezes
waited up these words:
ooh, the old, old home left behind,
An the purity little gal that's waitin' fer me"
'Doggone my hide, boys" Brandy
exclaimed, IF | don't b'leeve that's old
Ike"
''It do sound some like his voice." Sam
replied; ''but [ never heerd him sing
none afore as long as he's been in this
ERE camp"
''Reckon he'd as we'll sing while he
kin, Sam, fer if he come on up here, which
I take he's a-doin', he won't never sing
no more after to-day-leastwise, not in
this yere world. Whut We say, fellers?"
''Reckon yer talkin' bout right" some
one replied, and the others nodded their
approval.
In about half an hour Ike came in
sight. They knew he had been drinking
when they heard his voice in song away
down the gulch, and now as he came
staggering up the hill scarcely able to
keep on his feet they pronounced him
pretty ''full."
"How'r'y fellersh," he said; "been
down ter zhe post havin' er good timesh.
Doggone fine plash down there. Want
me ter shing shomethin'? Doggone fine
singer am. Listen:
ooh. the old, old homesh left behind,
An Their purity little gal that's waitin' fer me-"
"Reckon she'll keep On er waitin' a
good while, old chap" Brandy said.
"Yesh, l reckon; but I'm goin' home
purity shoon, eff nothin don't happen"
'They's monty strong prospect O.
somethin' happenin', though"
"That so? Coin ter strike er pay
streak an git my FORUM, yer reckon2"
~ low there won't be much pay in it,
but yer goin' to strike streak an git
whut we desarve."
"Thanky. Git what desarve. Shay,
that's what want. Thanky. I guess
I'll retire-I feel sorter tired"
Old Ike turned and staggered away to
his cabin, humming tune as he went.
'Got to let i'm sober up afore we stretch
i'm, Brandy remarked.
Gin course" Jerry Rogers replied.
cit wouldn't nigh do to hang er Teller in
that fix. Guess he wouldn't know what
he was stretched fer nor nothin bout it.
Have to let i'm sober up"
"Yas; an We'll tend to him the fust
thing in the mornin'."
While they were yet talking they heard
the rumble of vehicle down the road as
it rolled and bounded along the rocky
course.
"Stage is comm, Sam remarked.
"Wonder if we'll git any letters from
home, boys?" one said.
''Dunno, I'm Shore" Brandy replied
81 hain't heerd from my folks fer MORN
a year now"
''NIe MOTHER" said Jerry; ''but fer
chat matter haint got no folks worth
mentionin'. Jest some uncles and aunts
and cousins and SIGH, an they amt much
to teller, nohow."
''No, not like a wife an children"
Brandy assented. GIVE got wife and
a leetle gal back thar, an I'm sorter be-
ginnin' to want to see 'em. The gals
Their purtiest little thing you ever laid
your eyes on, an was about so high
(measuring with his hand when I left.
That's been six years, an I low she's
growed up nigh to woman now"
These remarks touching the past and
the old home recalled to each of the men
a train of fond memories, and for some
time they smoked their pipes in silence,
each busy with thoughts of the dear ones
in the far East.
Pretty soon the stage came in sight, and
hating before the saloon, the driver
threw off little fiat mail-pouch and dis
mounted. The men in the meantime had
lounged across, and now stood around
the stage.
"Got passenger fer you, boys" the
driver announced, as he clambered down.
''Who is he?" some one asked-<'a ten
derfoot or an old timer?"
"It amt old timer, an it amt he
It's little gall
AS he spoke the driver opened the door