The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1894-05-25
IN, THE s1ERRAs.
A Prospsctor's Story:

In the heart OF the Sierra Nevada
Mountains is still standing, or was
year ago, the remains Of an old log
cabin.
When last visited it, walls had
rotted away in places, the stone hearth
and its rough iron crane were still
there, but cold and lifoless; the clay
chimney had long since fallen upon
the roof and been washed away by the
rain.
But forty-three years ago tonight
Feb. 10, 1888, the logs composing
Its sides, although rough and unplaned
were in good order; the clay chimney
stood upright, and through the ohinks
between the walls ruddy light shone.
The snow was still lying in patches
upon the ground round about the
cabin, although none had fallen FOR
full week, while up the steep noun
tain path the trail wound like black
snake over the Wilderness on either
side.
Inside the cabin all was Is snug as
the homely means at hand could make
it. A huge fro Of oak logs occupied
one end Of the only room the cabin
contained, and which served a. parlor,
kitchen, dining and bedroom
combined. Over the FIRE was suspend
ed on an iron crane, rusty pot, in
which something was boiling, sending
forth the rich aroma Of onions, peppeR71
bacon and other compounds. VI
The blaso lighted up tho wkei
room, running into every nocS, .os.
granny, and dancing over the 10y
logs in fantastic shapes. The minor d
fire was his one cheap luxury in "the
days Of 49," when wood was to be had
for the hewing, and he could DO warm
II he never struck it rich"
A young man in the rough garb Of
o miner knelt before the hearth, hold
ing . rashor Of bacon over the few
Goals he had raked out on the stones.
An eager and interested spectator Of
these preparations for supper was the
faithful companion Of all his wander
ings, his dog Ben"
Harry Brandt had been in the mines
Of Nevada county for two years, yet
had not found the fortune he had
crossed the seas to seek. With the
exception Of few spurts, he had been
one Of many moro unfortunates. Still
he fingered in tho hope Of striking it
rich" some day.
Tonight was tho eve Of st. Valcn-
tine, and our hero was bit homesick,
to dissipate which weakness he talked
to the dog, he listening As though he
understood every word he uttered
(and l have no doubt that no did,
Sorry a valentine we'll get, old
man. The saint has forsakcn this end
Of creation" The dog looked know
ing, and gave his tail q gentle tap on
the floor. Smells good, doesn't it,
boy" removing the lid Of the swing
ing pot and peering into II, then stir
ring tho contents with long handled
iron spoon.
After satisfying himself that The
stew was sufficiently cooked, he dipped
out generous portion Of it into . tin
dish, and set it out on tho snow to
cool for Ben, who lay down at little
distance and watched it patiently.
His own meal was then dishcd up and
set upon one end Of tho pine table,
sans tablecloth, and our hcro sat down
on bench before it and "fell TO-
without removing the large SLOUGH hat
he wore. Ut is doubtful il this hat
did not sometimes accompany him Il
bcd.)
Before, however, settling down TO
his own meal, he went out and brough,
in Ben's dinner from tho snow, and
placed it on the floor beside him.
These two had not eaten meal apar.
since they met, the first day Brandt
set foot in California, and dinner
would not seem like dinner to either
one without the presence Of the other.
III ever l do strike it rich, old man,
it'll mean a big blowout for your
royal hignness. Sabe2' The dog
wagged his tail and winkcd ono eye
knowingly. Presently Brandt took
from his pocket soiled paper pack age
and carefully unrolling it revealed 70
the watchful eyes Of Ben q small lump
OF gold. ITS all that's left US, old
man" no said; then with sudden
Righteousness, no held it TO the dogs
hosc, bayiuBs Seek uIml
The setter was alert in an instant,
and smelling all over tho small speci-
men, carefully and understandingly,
rushed out Of the cabin, and doaf TO
all whistling and commands of his
master, disappeared in the darkness.
well, Ill DO switchcdi' calculated
tho young fellow, coming back after a
fruitless search in the vicinity Of tho
cabin, who would have thought he
would take fellow at his word, In
that mannerY After tho moon rosc,
lighting the mountain side for long
distance, hc went TO tho door more
than once to look out, but neither hide
nor hair Of the dog could be seen, and
he returned to the FIRE moro djscou.
solatc and miserable than ever.
During the evening tho door was
pushed open, to admit tho form OF a
typical miner Of those days. He wore
n red flannel shirt, tucked int q pair
Of corduroy pantaloons, tho legs OF
which werc In their turn tucked into
tho tops OF great cowhide boots. An
old SLOUGH hat covered his long. uu.
kcmpt hair, in the band Of which hat
was stuck short-stemmed clay Pipe.
Ceremony was an unknown quantity
IN those days; instead OF every mans
house being his castle, Il was any.
bodys who chose 10 appropriate Il
This strange figure clunlcdA0nusrd
in his cowhidc boots, and with Md.
long glance and nod, Md . short
evenin pard" settled himself on
tho bench In tho chimney corner. Re-.
moving tho pipe from his hat, no pro.
duccd a grcnt horn handled knife and
. hunk OF tobacco. Settling tho
chunk OF tobacco in tho hollow Of his
loft hand, no pared of a goodly Dor.