Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-08-27
THE RING OF GOLD

west, he had made money and lost it,
had prospected for mines, found ore and
been cheated out of his rights, had
grown poor and i'll, and had thrown him
self under a tree, careless whether he
lived or died.
The great snowy mountain peaks and
the rich verdure had lost their attraction
for him. He had hoped and been disap-
pointed so many times that he had come
to believe himself unlucky; that he
should never possess a dollar; that there
was neither happiness nor home for him.
He had seen better days. His large
dark eyes, his broad brow, his well
shaped mouth and chin bespoke refine
ment in the years that were gone. He
had been well educated, had tried many |
thing and failed in them, not from lack
of energy, not from lack Of Judgment,
but his fate seemed to be an adverse |
one.
He had done many good acts, had al |
ways helped his brother miners, had
tried to look on the bright side of life,
had fought manfully and been defeated
in the battle. He had imagined some
times that the clouds had silver lining,
but the storms always came sooner or
later. He meditated thus as he lay un-
der the tree, and finally, more dead than
alive from want and exhaustion, fell
asleep.
Two men passed along under the brow
Of the mountain, by the tree They were
tall and straight, and from their dark
hair and skin it was easy to perceive
their Indian blood.
"The white man is dead" said one of
the men as he bent on his knee beside
the sleeper.
"No, there is twitching Of the eye
lids" said the other. "He is pale and
sick. will take him home and Mimosa
will care for him."
The conversation, carried on in low
tone, awakened the miner.
"Come with us and you shall have
food and shelter" said the friendly In
dian.
Scarcely able to bear his weight Mar
tin leaned upon the arms of the two
men, and soon found himself in the
humble Indian cabin.
"Mimosa, here is a stranger. Take
care of him. Red Cloud never left a hu-
man being to die. He will get we'll, and
then we will send him back to his peo-
ple."
A shy, pale Indian girl came forward
and did as she was bidden. She did not
speak, but looked very pityingly out of
her fawnlike dark eyes. When Martin
had been placed in the simple bed she
prepared food for him and fed him as
though he were q child. Day by day
she came and went, speaking little, but
doing gently the things which only q
woman's hands can do.
After time the miner, still young
man, gained in strength and began once
more to hope for a successful future.
"Mimosa," he said one day, II owe
my life to you, and if am ever rich
will come back and reward you"
81 shall miss you," said the girl shyly
"But l want no money. l shall b.
happy because you are well again ant
happy"
81 shall yet find gold, Mimosa. use'
to think should be rich, and then be
came poor and sick and lost heart Yo'
wear ring on your finger and some
times chain about your neck, both O
beaten gold. Did the metal come fror
mines near here"
"My father gave them TO me" she n
Piled, and nothing more could be learne
from her on the subject.
"Would you care, Mimosa, il wo1
7 . DorIno NC
can find the place where the gold cam
from"
"You may wear it till you come bac
rich," she said smiling
Days grew into weeks, and the tin
drew near for the miner to say goodt
to the girl who had become his comrat
as well as deliverer. Tears filed b
eyes as they parted. "You will forg
Mimosa," she said.
"No, will bring back the ring, az
you shall give it to the man who max
you his bride. shall never forget r.
Cloud nor his daughter"
Strong and hopeful again, Martin to'
up life, obtained work and believed on
more that he should find gold. So swe
and blessed thing is hope, giving lust
to the eyes and quickening the flow
blood along the veins
But he missed the Indian girl. 7
pines on the snowy mountain pea
whispered of her. The evenings seem
longer than formerly; the conversati
Of the miners less interesting. He "
lonely. He was earning fair hvA
but of what use was money to him II
was to feel desolate In hearth Mmo
was not Of his race, but she had 10y
BILE nature. He remembered that
looked sad at his going away. He We
dered If she ever thought about him.
she had some Indian suitor. would {
not wish for the ring againl he wo'
like, at least, to see the man and
daughter who had saved his life,
would carry back the ring. All! II
knew where the gold In 1t came fro
perhaps he could indeed become RI
and then who could make him so haI
as Mimosa? @
Months only increased the loneliness
Martins heart He was becoming
eouraged again. He even began to 4
One.Of the most eminent Eng
nhnsiftAI1s recently said that ev