The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-04-01

You. she can have the same inScrip>
ton engraved on the inside, and in less
than six months you'll have it. Twill
be new reminder of home and still
better than the old one. It's all nom
sense to quit the diggings now, when
you're doing SO WE'LL"
| Dick sighed YEARLY as he replied.
oh, no, that plan won't work. It
wouldn't be the same ring. My wife
had the last one made for me out of a
ten-dollar gold piece that she earned
herself by doing some embroidery, all
on the sly, while was away at my of.
fee. She placed II on my finger when
saying good-by on board the ship.
Twas the product of her own loving
labor and I'd We the last ounce of dust
I've got in the world to have it back
again"
Three weeks had passed away since
OBrien's mishap. Sunday had como
again. 1t was to be his last on the dig
gings. He intended to start on his six
days trip to Melbourne, SO as to be
ready for the sailing of his ship.
Many of us had been occupied for
hours IN writing letters to send home
by him, and in the afternoon, feeling
the need of little recreation, we went
out to indulge in the harmless af1iuse.
ment of throwing the boomerang, that
same implement-the only one in camp
which had caused O'Brieu's trouble
and the sight of which he had of late
SO detested.
On this occasion. however; whether
moved by spirit of good fellowship,
or realizing the unworthiness of his
aversion, do not know--he came out
to witness the sport.
This particular boomerang was a
prettily finished weapon, two feet seven
inches long and about eleven ounces in
weight
Some of us had become quite expert
In its use. and now, as we threw one
after another, several good shots were
made, though no one had as vet sue
ceeded in hitting the target, a blue
flannel jumper (blouse) hung on a
stake behind the starting crease. But
at last ayoung fellow named Wells,
came within eighteen inches of it and |
was declared the winner. O'Brien was
getting interested.
"Poohp said he, II can beat that my.
self"
Try throw or two, Dick" shouted
dozen pleased diggers, and he stepped
up to the mark, boomerang in hand.
But, either owing to lack of practice or
because of his reduced strength, the
missile, on leaving his grasp, did not
Jake its usual bold fight, but fell to the
sarth some twenty-five yards in front
II him. l.. happening to be nearest
AN to pick it up for another trial. 1t
lad fallen directly on an old cart track
md was nearly buried in dust II
i put the toe of my boot under it, in
ending merely to fiirt it out, but
licked rather hard and sent it three {
ards away, where it alighted on a
un-killed shrub.
On STOPPING to recover it, the familiar
litter OF gold met my eye. With a G
carcely-harbored hope bent still low
r. Yes, twas no illusion; for there G
nugly nestled in the heart of the with
red bush and upheld by interlacing 1
wigs, lay the lost ring!
We were accustomed to surprises in =
hose days, hence was able to sup II
ress the Jubilant yell which almost Q
ose to my lips. The much-berated y
oomerang had nobly redeemed itself. Il
nth it in one hund and the golden II
rclet in the other sauntered care.
ssly back to o Brien. He was prepar- u
* for a fresh cast, when I said: Hold 9
q, Dick. Maybe you'll make a better /"
row with this on your finger" and o.