Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-01-28


Plumber place. That's owned by the
shoddiest man in the whole pack, Judge
Arnold. This lies West. This must
be the land o. Helen and Amos Lake
man. By lingo, what n swindle that
was, wuss nor sellin' pewter jewelry
for gold. Them poor children cheated
out o. their home worth five thousand
dollars ut least, an given these hills an
hollers not worth fifteen cents-the
whole tract. When think O. it am
just doggoned" he brought his
stout stick down upon the ground with
force which made it crack.
There was rustling among the
leaves at his side, and he saw a snake
known as a copper-head, on account of
the bright crest it wore. The peddler
eyed it a moment, as its brilliant little
bead-like eyes twinkled, and its forked
tongue darted out of its mouth, and
said:
Now, yer Jest like that whole set,
ye're deceivin' every body jest like a
bolt of shoddy muslin. Ye're tryin' to
smile, We doggoned sarpint; so does
Judge Arnold. He smiles, an his in
formal eyes twinkle jest like yours.
Ye're only waitin' fur a chance to bite,
an so is he. Well, can fix We, eff
can't him."
With one quick, sure blow from his
stick he crushed the snakes head, and
Shouldcrin@ his pack went on, leaving
it rigging among the leaves. About
one-fourth of mile further, as Pete
was descending Il hill, he paused struck
with amaZcment. Had he been sud-
denly confronted with view of the
Atlantic Ocean he could no thave been
more surprised. There right before
him were half dozen or more tents or
shanties. There were wagons and
miners tools, and he could easily see
; that they had been there for several
days. Pondcrous machinery had been
erected and deep shaft sunk, while
all around the ground was black with
lead and silver ore. Floating rumors
had been abroad of lead and silver
mines in these hills of the Big Sandy,
but no one had ever given them ere
dcnce. Pete stopped and rubbed his
; eyes as if he feared it was an optical
deluSion.
"Well, say. now-what in the name
+ o common sense does it mean?"
He closed his eyes again, and again
: opened them-it was all there yet, the
! teams, tents, shantics and machinery
"Pcte, l guess ye amt asleep! we've
jst come onto bolt o calico which We
didn't think was-in the pack; 'spose we
| go down and inspect it?"
As Pete walked down toward the
camp of miners, a man, who seemed
about forty-tive years of age, below
medium height and rather heavy set.
came to meet him. He had an hon
est countenance and mild though shrew
blue eyes. One had only to glance at him
to see that he was thorough business
man.
"Wall say now" said Pete, stop
ping within few feet of the smiling
stranger, and staring at him as if he
were a ghost, "ain't you stranger in
these parts?'
Yes sir" the miner answered, 81
have been here but short time"
"What We doin'P"
"FrospCcting.
"Prospcctin'. what kind of goods Is
that P" asked Pete, removing his pipe
from his mouth.
II am prospecting for lead and silve.
ore"
"Oh, yes, We are one O. them fellows
what digs i'll the ground, like rabbit. >
Yes, except We go deeper. Where
are you goingP"
II want to git across Big Sandy"
"You can't make it before dark"
II know it," said Pete, "but then
there's no house this side O. there"
IF you will accept the hospitality Of
a miners camp we would be glad tt
have you stop with u.s.
Pete thought he could do no better
and as the miner seemed to be a very
friendly sort of man he accepted tn,
invitation. Unslinging his pack in on.
of the tents, he said:
"lreckin maybe there Il be chance t.
sell We somethin' in the mornin'. I've go
the best lot O. calicos, muslins, linens
ginghams, all wool cashmeres, will
needles, thread, pins an handkerchief
We liver saw. I'll sell EN- all right dowl
at bottom prices. allu's comes RICH
down to bedrock prices fust thing, cos
re see it saves time in jewin' down, y,
know"
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