Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-05-12
CAPRICoRNUs THE PERvsRsE.
Where 'Forty-Nlner Found His Goats
After Making Shelter for Them.


Twenty-eight years ago there lived at
Auburn, Placer county, CAL, two part
nerS, John Smith and John Jones.
These men reached the ''digginS" in
40, the former from Maine and the lat
ter from Rhode Island. They had
mined, milled, merchandised, and
farmed, saved and banked together.
Some twenty years ago they concluded
TO 90 into the Angora wool business.
Now Smith was liberal and hoSpitable,
warm hearted and kind. Jones WIS
lust the reverse, although he was not
altogether miSerly. These partners had
a fine band of AngOras, as pretty as
could be found anywhere in California.
The winter rains had commenced to
descend, in 1868, and the AngOras would
huddle together and wish, il they knew
how to wish, that they were shorn
lambs; at least so the man from Maine
thought. And it moved his heart to
pity, and he suggested to Jones that
they build a shed, so that the poor ami
mails might have some shelter from the
pitilesS storm. Jones laughed at his
partner and said:
smith, you're a fool. II were asked
to name the biggest fool in Placer, l
should answer, John Smith, from
Maine"
do l understand by that that you
decline to join me in the building Of a
shed for the protection Of our fine
goatS?"
That's the long and the short of it,
pard.'
"Wen, shall build it out of my own
private funds, them" said the old man
from Maine.
"And have no objection to you
doing so" responded the brusque Rhode
Islander.
"They are as much Gods creatures
as we are, Mr.. Jones"
Except that we eat the contents of
tomato cans and they masticate the
cans. Mr., Smith"
you're Il ruffian!"
"And you're fool"
Il know it,"
Yes; and everybody knows it,"
But Smith went on with the shed,
which was built big and strong, and cost
nearly $780, And upon the very night
of its completion there came an ideal
Sierra storm. So severe was it, indeed,
that Jones, before he retired, made up
his mind to share with Smith the ex-
pense of the construction of the shed.
Providence prompted me to erect
that cover for AngoraS," said Smith to
his wife just as he put out the light for
the night.
All that night it blew furiously and
the rain descended in torrents, and
there also came Sleet, snow and hail.
Still every human being in Auburn
was happy, including Jones. Smith,
however, was the happieSt person OF all.
But when he looked out of his win
dow the next morning his happiness
was Immediately turned to grief, and
there came a fearful headache to him,
and he concluded that he was too Ill to
90 up to the pOStoffice that day.
".What is the matter?" cried the
wife. as her husband once seemed to
swoOn.
"Matter enough. And mind you, Sa-
rah. don't YOU dare let Jones into this
house to-day under any consideration.
II he comes tell him I'm too sick TO see
any one. Tell him I'm out OF my head.
Tell him anything TO get rid Of him.
why, what is the matter?"
Matter Great Caesars ghost. Ev-
erything is the matter. Jones says am
a fool, and Jones is right. Jones never
lies"
Heavens, YOu are mad.
Fright you are. But look ont OF the
window. Look at the other FOOLS
Mrs. Smith took in the whole thing at
"a glance. The beautiful Angoras were
all huddled together on the roof of the
new shed which had been built for their
protection.