Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1894-09-07

that would take me to the bank of it when
I found myself sinking down and down
I reached out for something to clutch, but
something always gave way, and finally
landed ON sandy bit of beach In little
cove that the horizontal wall Of the noun
tain's base made at the edge of the stream.
ST was not hurt My fall had been
gradual. / had fallen through growth
that covered the side of the hill above me
full 80 feet. / scanned the sides Of the
rock that made the cove. There was no
retreat except through the brook. / was
not worried, however, and as IL was early
sat down to sketch the canyon as 1t stretch
ed away in the blue depths. While con-
templating the view absently picked up
pebbles and threw them into the water
One Of them l happened to notIce as held
1t In my hand. 1t was Of odd shape and
peculiar color where the dried earth didn't
cover it. l washed 1t of in the stream. 1t
looked suspiciously like gold. looked
where had been sitting, and there In an
oblong rift Of the rocks was hatful Of
just such clods as held in my hand.
had seen nuggets Of gold, but had never
heard Of them in such quantities as met
my gaze. Hoping 1t was gold, but not
sure, and with thoughts Of Monte Cristo-
like splendor In my mind, made
my way around the point Of rock to find a
way back home with the nugget securely
fastened in my dress. The water was up
to my shoulders, but I succeeded in get
ting around; then, marking carefully with
bits Of paper the way, made up the hill
again and gained the house much the
worse for wear. put on dry dress, and
seeking Miller showed him my find, ask
ing him, with calmness certainly didn't
feel, what 1t was. He scanned it carefully
and said:
"'It's purity good gold where'd you get
itf
II rather stammered that had found
1t In the creeks bed short distance from
the house. Thoughts Of the treasure, II
it were one, being filched from me caused
this little deception. / thanked him and
went to my room. To get the rest of the
nuggets from where they were and take
them safely to place where could dis
pose OF them gave me much to think on.
! finally decided to trust the Italian, who
seemed grateful for various little kind
nesses Of mine to his wife. l promised
him $50 for his services, and he swore to
keep my secret
"We went to my gold mine with pick
and shovel, bags and rope, and after
eight or nine hours of hard work exhaust
ed the pocket. 1t made about 80 pounds Of
dirt, which we divided into two packages.
The next day the italian secured a cart,
and we started for the railroad, which we
reached after six days trip. gave the
Italian five or six ounces of the most solid
Of the stuff and had the rest packed in
stout box. While at the station met q
travelling salesman to whom l confided
He advised me to take 1t to the City OF
Mexico. lacked $40 or s12 Of having
money enough to pay my fare, but he
loaned 1t to me; saying could send 1t to
him. l arrived safely In the city, and
with the assistance of an American at the
hotel had the stuff melted, and after the
customs and license were paid it netted
me 80, 700. On the advice Of the same
gentleman ! invested in small cultivated
coffee plantation near Minatitlan. It was
profitable. and I sold out last year. .