Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-08-16
HIS LUCK PENNY. /

It Is Saturday night on an Australian
goldfeld. The bar Of the Jolly Diggers Is
crowded.
News has gone abroad that Dog KEEL
larey has broken out again, and as he oil
ways takes care to have his little bouts re-
membered 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-even 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 it's 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
yanishes into the darkness, not to reap
pear until the sound of the coach horn Is
heard on Portugee hill.
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
gronns up the street, to pull up before the
flaming lights of the jolly Diggers. 1t is
a curious, numbering old construction, rid
ing on leather springs and drawn by five
strong horses-a sort of badly brought up
cross between an antique mourning coach
and dilapidated Indian ghari.
The driver, to whom Is intrusted the
lives and hereaftcrs of the half dozen pas
sengers, travels tho gao miles between the
pold1lelds and civilization twice weekly
and is always preternaturally thirsty. Gus
tom, however, forbids his leaving the box
before he has seen his horses embarrassed
and led away and exchanged the usual
pleasantries with his own particular I'D
mirers. When in due time he docs dc
scend, passengers, diggers, loafers and dogs
escort him into the hotel, and in half an
hour the excitement Is over.
On this occasion, however, 1t is destined
to last longer. Dog Kellarey, advanc
ing, invites the driver to take refreshmcnt
After complying with tho request that
individual gets out to the vehicle, to return
with bundle Then unwrapping the
shawls, he places OH the table baby girl
She cannot be more than years old ant
is fast asleep, her little head and its pretty
curls pillowed ON one tiny arm.
Every one presses round to look with thu
exception of Dog Kellarey, who has nj
curiosity in the matter of babies. TheI
questions pour in thick and fast: "Whos'
is it9' "Where'd We get the kiddy, ma
tey9" "Whose youngster is it, BillS" etc
Any other man would be bewildered-
not so Bill Burns. He says slowly and sol
EMMY, as if aware Of his unique impor
lance, For Dog Kellarey."
"Whatl' shouts that gentleman
"That's lie, you Bill! Who says TIN
kids for me9"
II do" replies the driver. spoil Waite
of Wild Dog showed 1T aboard along will
its duds for yer. The little un's fathe
begged out ON Saturday-'Fl Flash Dick o
Wild Dog Creek. is last words was, Sci
the kid to my old mate, Dog Kellarey,
on so fetched 1t along, an the passenger
made up the fare among 'em, SO there
nothin to pay-therep'
"Old Dick pegged out!" the Dog mum
bles slowly. "Old Dick pogged out an sen
is kid to me-"
Tho crowd is SO tickled with the ide'
that it ventures upon laugh.
The laugh decides him, and stepping VI
alongside the sleeping child he sings out
1.-THE kids mine, an the man as laugh
agin 'er laughs agin me. Now let's Sc
i'm as is game to grin!"
He has evidently gone home for no on
answers.
Sunday morning, and Dog Kellarey'
claim is the center of attraction. The lit
tie arrival of the previous night play
about the tent door. The Dog, fearin
harm to her from his crowd of visitors
carefully defines his boundary and threat
ems dire penalties on the head of any mai
who crosses 1t.
News, news!-great and glorious news
News which runs like wildflre through
tho field, which flies from tent to tent
from the police cells ON the hill to Dutcl
Joe's across the fiat, past tho Eureka
down to the day dawn-never stopping
until every one has heard 1t.
Dog Kellarey's proverbial bad lucl
has turned at last-he has bottomed OF
the lead; the new claim has turned VI
trumps with vengeance"
1t Is full Of gold-specks, specimens AM
nuggets. Not nuggets as small as peas
but large as teacups, Not here and there
but in big deep lead, fortune at ever
drive Of the pick.
The luck penny, who has been sleepin
t,. 10 had - kkn
chuckles at piece Of glittering mica. L
his excitement the Dog sings out;
boys, tits or as done it. There's til
lass that brought me luck!''
Three p. m. More excitement
A nugget weighing 80 pounds! TIL
monster Of the field, wonder Of the coun
try and q fortune to its finder.