Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-15
HIS LUCK PENNY.


News has gone abroad that Dog KEEL
larey has broken out again, and as he al
ways takes care to have his little bouts re.
nembered a crowd soon collects.
On this particular Saturday he has set
himself to try conclusions with Kanga-
roo Jack Of the Midas claim. 1t is gor-
geous struggle-cven old Wall Eyed Bill,
who Is exacting in such matters, is COM
PEELED to admit that. They fight anyhow
and everywhere, under tables and under
chairs, while the lamps flare, the dogs
bark, and the crowd expresses its admira
ton In language full Of picturesque detail.
Kangaroo Jack tires after the twenty
sixth round, and his friends carry him to
his tent minus one eye and plus concus-
sion Of the brain.
Then when Dog Kellarey counts his
broken fingers every one suddenly remem-
bers the unguarded state of his tent and
vanishes into the darkness, not to reap
pear until the sound of the coach horn is
heard on Portugee hin.
The arrival Of the weekly coach, bearing
her majesty mails, Is an occasion of great
Importance, and ranks even before new
finds or wardens' decisions
About II O'Clock the coach creaks and
groans up the street, to pull up before the
q curious, numbering old construction, rid
ing en- leather springs and drawn by five
strong horscs-a sort Of badly brought up
cross between an antique mourning coach
and "a dilapidated Indian ghari.
The driver, to whom is intrusted the
lives and hereafters of the half dozen pas
senqrrs travels the $40 miles between the
goldfeds and civilization twice weekly
and Is always prcternaturally thirsty. Gus
tom, however, forbids his leaving the box
before he has seen his horses Embarrassed
and led away and exchanged the usual
plcasantries with his own particular ad-
mrcrs. When in due time he does de-
scend passengers, diggcrs, loafers and dogs
escort him into tho hotel, and in half an
hour the excitement is over.
On this occasion however it is destined
60 ia1 Dog Kellarey, advanc-
ing. iuf driver to take refrcshment.
After ing with the request that
indiy.dualQnts cut to the vehicle, TO return
with u brf4Gllc. Then unwrapp!ng the
shawls, he places on the table a.baoy girl.
She cannot be more than 2 years old and
is fast asleep, her little head and it's pretty
ourls pillowcd on one tiny arm.
Every one presses round to look with the
exception OF Dog Kolarcy, who has no
curiosity in the matter of babies. Then
questions pour in thick and fast: Whose
is it?" 'EWhcrc'd SO get the kiddy, ma
tey2" Whose yOungster is it, Bill?' etc.
Any Other man would be bewildered-
not SO Bill Burns. Ilcsays slowly and sol
EMMY, ASST aware of his unique impor-
tancc, For Dog kcllnrcy"
WHAT shouts that gentleman.
CHATS / lie, you Bill Who says the
kid's for mos"
- do, replies the driver. "Poll Waites
of Wild Dog showed it aboard along with
jts buds for yer Tho little un's father
pcgged out On Saturday Flash Dick of
Wild Dog Creek Is last words was, Sen
the kid Is my old mate, Dog Kelaroy,
an SO | fetched it along, an the passengers
made up tie fare among 'em, so there's
nothin to@pay-thefe!"
''Old Dick pcggcd Quit" the Dog mum
bles slowly. "Old Dick pegged out an sent
is kid TO me. "
The crowd is So ticllcd with the idea
that il ventures upon laugh
Tho laugh decides him, and stepping up
alongside the sleeping child he sings out:
1.-The kids mine, an the man as laughs
agn CIR laughs agin me- Now let's see
i'm rs is game to grinl'
He has evidently gone home, for no one
answers.
Sunday morning, and Dog Kellarey's
claim is the ccntcrof attraction. The lit
tie arrival of the previous night plays
about the tent door, The Dog fearing
harm to her from his crowd of visitors,
carefully defines his boundary and threat
ems dire penalties on the head of any man
who crosses it. "
F@t
News, ncwsl-great and glorious newsi
News which runs like wildfire through
the field, which flies from tent to tent
from the police cells ON the hill to Dutch
.Joes across the fiat, past the Eureka,
down to the day dawn-nover stopping
until every one has heard it.
DOG kollarey's proverbial bad luck
has turned at last--ho has bottomed on
the lead; the new claim has turned up
trumps with vengeance"
1t is full Of gold-specks specimens and
nuggets. Not nuggets rs small as peas,
but large as teacups Not here and there,
but in n big deep lead a fortune at every
drive of the pick.
The luck penny, who has been sleeping
I'm the shadow Of the tent, watches and
ohuckles at piece of glittering mica. In
his excitement the Dog sings out:
boys, It's er ms done It, There's the
lass that brought me luckr'
Three r. IN More excitement
A nugget weighing 90 pounds! The
monster of the field, a wonder of the coun-
try and "a fortune TO its finder
Picks and shovcls are thrown down, the
roar of cradles and sluiceboxes stops as If
by magic, and the excited crowd starts at
u run for the claim.
On their arrival Dog Kellarey says moth
ing, but for the second time he carefully
points out his boundary. He places his
revolver on the cradle, ready to his hand,
and, bless you, the crowd understands
what he means by that
The luck penny sucks her thumb and
crows cortentedly. Womanlike, she knows
she is the center of attraction.
When the last visitor has departed, the
Deg picks her up and says emphatically:
Kinchinl It'syou as brought the luck
to the old man. Now, look here three
parts of that claim belongs to you, it
doesi'
And he meant It.