Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-29

is time But his sadness did not disappear
as rapidly as we had hoped, in spite Of our
best endeavors to cheer him up. Days
and weeks passed and we still found him
sad and reserved. There was none of that
lightheartedness which seems to be part
of boys natures.
''But the holidays were coming. This
was our opportunity, we thought, to break
the ice of his sorrow and reserve and per-
haps when we fully had his confidence he
would lift the veil from that mystery. A
word dropped now and then convinced US
there was something connected with those
wagons which ought to be known. At any
rate the holidays were the time to wean
him to at least more cheerful ways.
$50 we began our preparations as though
they were matter of course: though We
had determined to have as grand time as
possible under the circumstances. There
should be roast venison; for Ned never
failed when he went in earnest for deer,
and | agreed to furnish the mountain quail
the canned dainties. Then the cabin
should be decorated with evergreens and
that should be PhiPs work-it would be
the very thing to divert his mind.
$50 few days before Christmas we be-
gan our preparations in earnest. There
had been slight fall of snow and Ned
literally made tracks for his hunting
ground, having the good fortune to bring
in fine young buck; while |, by stroke
of unusual luck bagged half dozen quail.
"PhiI was gathering evergreens, ferns
and armfuls of the red berries that grow so
abundantly over the hills, and are so at
tractive when peeping out of the snow-he
had even brought sprig of mistletoe to
hang over the table. We found him very
busy and quite enthusiastic over his work.
The crossbeams and even the rafters were
being wound with the evergreens, with
dashes of red berries here and there, while
punches of grass and colored leaves found
place along the logs and over the door
even the wide and rude chimney here was
SPAWNED with long wreath.
awe cane in just as the candle was lit
and placed upon the table which held
our smoking supper. The cheerful blaze
went dancing up the chimney and lit up
the rosm in a way that made it wonder
fully attractive Involuntarily we cheered
the boy for his success. He knew our
praise was sincere and his eyes sparkled
with real pleasure, and he chatted and
laughed quite gaily during our meal, and
we felt that we were succeeding grandly
with our plan. We had become very much
attached to the boy, he was so gentle and
industrious-there was not lazy muscle
in his body. Young as he was he required
no summons, but was always first up IN the
morning, and he never seemed satisfied
with what he did, but was anxious to do
more. We had determined to hold fast to
him while we remained in the mines, but
we little thought how soon we were to lose
our dear boy forever-but l am overstep-
ping.
"Ned and l had agreed to each put a
twenty-dollar piece under his tin plate on
Christmas morning, and new suit OF
clothes that should fit better than those he
was wearing we would hang on his door.
After infinite trouble in hunting the stores
in the vicinity, Ned had succeeded at Low
ellis Camp. | have forgotten what trink-
cts we bought, but there were several.
Christmas morning came, and, as usual, he
was first up, and his cheerful Merry
Christmas woke us he opened his door,
and then his shout and laughter as he dis
covered the suit, We'll, well; did you
eyerp and then a really gay laugh.
1--WE watched our opportunity before
breakfast and slipped the twenties under
his plate. When we were seated Ned
passed the broiled venison and Phil turned
over his plate to receive it, thus exposing
the double eagles to view. He looked at
them attentively a moment, then at us,
setting his plate at the same time upon
the table. / doubted if he had ever before
seen twenty and to his eyes they seemed
like two fortunes lying there. Then the
tears began to roll down his cheeks as he
sobbed out, you are too good. don't
deserve this Bless his heart why we
felt almost like crying ourselves, and es-
pecially when he showed such gratitude
for the very little We had done for him.
eve had thought somewhat of asking
our neighbors, Hubble and Gaines, to din
ner, and put the question to Phil. Il
should much prefer only you two he said
quickly; somehow, don't like strangers;
but do as you wish. Why, yes, invite
Them 1t was evident the last was added
to please us. Gaines we knew very well,
but Hubble, his partner, we had seen but
few times, he having lately come to our
camp. But we decided we would not in
vite any one and we also decided we would
not have dinner until candle light, the
cabin looked so much more attractive then
in the glow of the great fire in the Chin
ney, setting off the decorations so grandly
and making everything so cheerful within.
"After light lunch we hung the quar-
ter of venison before the fire to roast,
twirling and basting it most of the after
noon, telling stories of old home days be-
yond the mountains and singing bits OF
old songs, that somehow stick by one for
ever. but never once could we persuade
Phil to Join us. Ned volunteered to make
the crust for the quail pie, but Phil said he
would try it, if we pleased, as he had often
seen his mother make chicken pie. So he
rolled the crust with the old black bottle
we used for a rolling-pin, and the Dutch
oven soon set about baking its first pie.
at had begun to snow again, the great
fakes coming down merrily, giving us a
real old-fashioned Christmas. Just at
candle-light we pronounced the yenison
done, and it looked tempting enough in
its brown dress. The tab e was set, with
green SprlSS III lne center. lHo iOso "eAe
cracking in the chimney, lighting the
cabin like day. We were ready to dish
up.
"'Now for our Christmas dinner, cried
Phil This is the -
"Rat-tat-tat came on the door. 1t was
so unexpected We were little startled,
but Ned quickly flung it open. On the
steps stood young man, with the tieecy
snow piled high upon his hat and should
ers, the bright light showing pair of red
cheeks, which the snow had been painting
He returned Ned's hearty good-eveniDg,
and was about to speak again, when Ned
broke in, Come in, sir; come in. | would
have taken you for Santa Claus if you had
come down the chimney
II would be a poor Santa Claus, he
said, laughing, for l have only pack OF
snow on my back He gave himself a
shake and stepped inside.
"Phil had sprung to his feet at the first
sound of the strangers voice and stood
staring at him with cheeks as white as the
! snow upon his shoulders, while he was re.
garding Phil with kind of uncertain
wonder and perplexity, the red nearly
gone from his cheeks.
He took step forward-'My God ? he
cried, can it be? When, with scream
so piercing that | sprang upright at 8
bound. Phil flung himself into the