The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-02-28
UTE BILLS PARTNER.

5tdGe Ill tile OiilOH, tIeIe dppedIeu Ill
this grand but desolate canyon man
by the name of Rivers-Stanley Rivers,
he said-who at once proceeded to erect
cabin for himself This completed, he
kept well within it's walls when not ac-
tually engaged in prospecting. He To-
Gated his claim and went about it as
readily as an old miner.
The little town of Colorado Springs,
four miles distant, was often visited by
the miners when they had accumulated
little dust, but Rivers had never ac-
| companied them on these occasional
sprees, although they had often urged
him to do So
A man in mining camp who does not
drink is considered, as general thing,
beneath the notice of the average miner,
but it was not SO in this case. Here he
had the confidence and respect of the
rough men gathered around him, and,
by his gentle ways, boyish face and
pleading blue eyes. had won every man
over to his side.
They no longer urged him to go with
them; they went, and respected him.
There was not a MN in all the camps
around who would not have taken the
part of the "tenderfoot," as they jocu-
fairly called him. And not only that he
knew it.
His past was blank, and he mildly
resented all efforts to reveal it. On one
occasion Ute Bill had pressed him too
closely on the subject, and he reproyed
him by saying:
bill, think you are friend Of
mine, but | would rather have you
throw me down that shaft of yours than
ask me to tell you my past life. 1t is
too painful.
If the boys could have seen Bill then;
if they could have looked upon him as
he stood abashed before this slender,
pale looking young man; he, who had
killed his man: this Indian chewer,"
who had come out ahead in hand to
hand fight with a bear: this same Ute
Bill, who figured as a desperate in the
country round for hundred miles,
they would have wondered if he had
suddenly taken leave of his senses.
But they were alone, and in an hum
BILE voice he said:
beg yer pardon, Mister Rivers.
didn't mean to hurt yer feelin's. | hev
kinder taken liken to ye, a sort of
fatherly interest. and if ye say the word
we'll be pards.
The word was said, and great was the
surprise in camp when the new partner
ship was announced the next day. What
had come over Bill? Was he going to
reform? 1t was seven days wonder,
but gradually died away until it was no
longer an attraction to see Bills six feet
of muscle and Drawn towering head and
shoulders above his delicate looking
''pard" as they prospected the country.
One day in their wanderings they
found they had nearly reached the sum-
NIT of the grand old peak at whose base
flowed the waters of the San Juan creek,
when Bill suddenly uttered an exclama-
ton of amaZement.
'Look here, pard, we've struck it this
time: chunks of it!'
Rivers. who had been patiently clip
ping specimens off the lodges which jut-
ted out here and there, fastened to his
side and looked. Bill had a piece of
dark looking rock in his hand, and was
turning it excitedly over and over, his
eyes glowing like stars in his intense ex-
element.
The news spread like wildfire through
the camp. All the miners were half
crazy over the find, and deserted their
old claims to search for new ones. There
was no doubt of the vast wealth that
lay in the mine which Bill and Rivers had
opened. 1t was a settled fact that the
men had more money than they could
ever realize beaming down on them as
the mining ore should be turned out.
AS the two men were lying on their
rough beds in the little cottage they
talked of the future and its grand pros
poets. Bill was full of enthusiasm, and
pictured in glowing terms his highest
ambitions, to be realized when he should
count his thousands.
He would be congressman. What
thrilling speeches he would make. He
would have every word of them printed
in the newspapers. He would own a
fast horse, and the boys should have
all the drinks they wanted; they should
not go dry whiio he was on top of sod.
And he stopped suddenly and looked at
his companion.
Whats yer lead, ole pard? Will yer
hang onto dust, or spend it like yer
got it?"
For moment Rivers was silent.
Il dare not think what disposition l
shall make of it. will probably go back
east. My plans are not definitely set
tled," he finally answered. So the sub
ject was dropped.
Bill knew the quiet, retiring man at
his side well enough to know all inquiries
to be fruitless. So he turned over, and,
after few more words about the work
of the morrow, he fell asleep.
When the morning dawned Bill was
up and stirring. Rivers slept late, and
at last Bill thought he had better awaken
him. AS he shook him in his rough way
he noticed the bright spots on Rivers
cheeks and his short, irregular breathing
lit is all right now, Lillian" muir
INJURED the sick man, tossing uneasily;
''its all right now. I've got the money
to keep you where you should be-" So
tenderly. pathetically came the words
that the rough miner brushed away the
tears as he listened to the hidden story of
his ''pard's" past life. He told it all in
his delirium, and seemed to live the long
years over; how he had loved this deli
cate girl, reared in luxury and ease,
and when he lost the fortune he had SO
of his love. He would not ask her to
share his poverty and hardships. He
had come away and staked his fife and
love in the search for gold, and found it.
Yes, now he could clasp her slender hand
in his and give her all the riches he
possessed in return. Over and over again
he called her name.
Bill softly stroked the brown hair
from his forehead, and as he did so RiV-
ers said: 1T is SO soft-her little hand
it rests me to feel it on my head" And
he lapsed again into restless sleep.
"Durn that big paw" said Bill, look
ing at his rough, brawny hand, and then
at the white forehead on Ethe pillow.
"And ther amt woman's hand in the
camp to fix things easy for him. I'd
give the hull bizness if he was only out
of this muss."