The herald., 1894-11-04

Out of cloud OF dust which had
been behind me for an hour, gradually
coming closer and closer, finally ratified
the four horse stage coach. Inside there
WAS but one passenger. That was no
load for four horses and the driver. with
genuine Californian hesrtiness. yelled "a
me 10 mount the eeat beside him.
AT dark We stopped at the ranch
where fresh horses and supper were OBJ
tanned. | had eaten nothing all day
and that, together with my long tramp
over the mountains, had given me
terrible appetite, we'll calculated to
overcome any repugnance | felt to APP
pealing to a stranger for food had NOS
the means to pay for.
So entered the place along with the
lone passenger and the driver and while
they were clearing their threats OF dcss
at the bar approached the landlord and
stated nay case. | rave him my name,
said that l would find iriends the fol-
lowing day in Sacramento and would
then be- able to send him the price of the
repast. He bowed me into the dining
room with the same politeness used upon
the other passenger and seated me be-.
side that individual.
l had hoped that my appeal to the
other passenger. but was disappointed
in that. l was hardly seated before ne
accosted me.
Excuse me-" said ne, "but did
understand you to say your name was
Clavton?' '
You did,"
"What state ?"
"Connecticut."
"You don't say? Ne relation to Col.
John Clayton of Norwich, 1 presumeW
Somewhat surprised, l turned to look
at him, aa replied that was Colonel
Clay toms son.
"Col. Clayton's sonl In California;
Young man, give me your hand. Your
father was my school mate and we lived
neighbors for 20 years. Your name
was"
Henry"
"Yee, yes; tow-hsaded boy whom I
left the old place. Well. we'll, well!'
He ratified on in jerkey way about
the old home and the old Days, while I,
mildly surprised, of course. at the
strangeness of the meeting still contin-
ued. however, to do ample Justice to tho
eatables, answering only ouch questions
as seemed to absolutely require it.
lie insisted on paying my bill, along
with his own, for the sake OF old times
and then upon my joining him inaids
the stage coach for the remainder OF
our journey. l scarcely recollect how it
camo about, but we had been talking Of
mining and OF the new discoveries OF
gold in quartz lodges. He was engaged
in mercantile business in San Francisco
and had been investing in mines. In
fact, it WAS that which brought him on
this trip. But having been misdirected
at Sacramento he had taken the wrong
stage and was now returning to that
place, and would take the stage on the
following day for Deans Grove.
Deans Grove !" exclaimed.
"Yes. Perhaps you know the dis.
trict ?''
Yes" reolied, a vague suspicion
crossing my Ia nd.
| Then perhaps you can tell me some
thing of q claim known as the Mountai
Bonanza mine, owned by man named
Black? ''
First let me ask il your name is Nc
Graw," l said, and when he told me
that it was l explained to him why I
wished to know, and that explanation
served az my revenge on those black
guards, while at the same time it en-
abIed me to pay the debt Of gratitude
owed to my fathers friend. The law in
those days WAS not far-reaching enough
to cover the case 80 we two agreed to
let the matter drop.