Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-30


and disappointed even though l, at least,
had had no faith in Hes.er's theory of
the gold find. Bat after supper my
friend and comrade regained her spirits.
"What nousenscl' she declared, "to
get discouraged because we didn't find
it to-day. OF course the nugget isn't in
plain sight It's probably been buried
long time, and we ought to 90 out
there in the morning and tear down half
the hill"
''What with2'
She looked at the broom, the fire poker
and piece of barrel hoop and shook
her head. 'Too bad we arc women. A
man would have something to work
with. I'm sure those men aren't here
for fun, and I'm going to try some plan
to beat them
She woke me up about midnight with
her "plan."
''Tve decided to let them dig it out. ="
"Glad of it, l yawned, "wonder you
thought of that"
''Don't be mean now, Marg. It's on
Que land and when they've cot it out Of
the cliff we'll slip around asd demand
our property"
| In three minutes she was sleeping
peacefully.
Ali the following morning my com
panion was nearly distracted with anxiety
lest the strangers should not come.
Time and again she went out to the bank
Of the canyon, peeriug in the direction
from which they must appear. At last
about neon she came running to the
cabin and closed the door, announcing
with much lmpressiveness: "They re
here
| "Who do you meanf'
"The golddiggcrs to be sure. There
they 90 now.
The men had new pickaxes and were
walking rapidly, In moment we were
on their trail, following them to the
| familiar cliff.
Again we tooi the circuitous course,
and in little while We're seated on the
ledge above the workers heads.
An hour went by. The mems labor
went on steadily and without talk. Sud
denly one broke out, "Now we're getting
there. Just see how it shows up. A
few more blows will bring it."
Tap, tap, went the hammers, and in a
moment an odd looking object covered
with clay and rock rolled out at their
feet. 1t was nearly globular, snd con-
formed we'll to my idea or nugget.
I 4.
leaned forward. "Now they're going
clean off the dirt
The men gave blow after blow at the
envelope of the prize they we're seeking,
and it seems that they must soon accom-
plish something.
"Tap, tap
Hester's eyes grew lager, and she
erept forward until she was on the very
| edge of the terrace. was not so much
excited, and remained little behind.
Then there came harder blow than
before, and the clay covering the prize
dropped away and CLEAN of yellow
shone out Of the interior.
Hester gave a little cry of relief, and
then began to clutch my skirts. How it
had happened neither could tell then or
afterward, hut we had crept forward I'M
til we were too far over the edge aud
suddenly we felt ourselves slipping.
Down, down, clutcaiug at straws,
shrubs or points Of rocks, we went until
at last the momentum was too great and
we gave up and looked to see where we
would strike.
Intent on their find the men had not
seen us, and it was as though the heavens
had fallen tao reflection on the celestial
origin of our sex intended) when two
| young women came down with more
force than elegance at their very feet.
They leaped back fairly frightened, and
Hester, sitting beside me, began to laugh.
They must have taken us for lunatics and
Testers first words were not of a kind to
assure them. THAT nugget belongs to
us. This is our land
''Beg pardon, miss, stammered one
of the men stepping forward and help.
ing us, unhurt, to our feet. 81 hope
you have not broken any bones"