Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-06-14
THE MINERS LOVE.

Rowdy! 1t is no word for it-too
genteel by half. We were as wicked a
set at our diggin's as New South Wales
could show-no slight thing. If the
worlds kettle had been set on the boil
we'd have come to the top as prime
Scum-truth, mate. But among us was
a man dubbed 1.-The squire" because
although he lived and dressed just as
we did, there was that in him which
stamped him as of different breed.
l never came upon his double before
or since, and swells out of luck are
plenty in Australia. RumOr went that
be was an English baronet, but had
been forced to cut and run; 50 he
tried New South Wales and the gold
dggings, bent on succeeding.
He did not live alone; his daughter
was with him, though how and when
she reached him no one knew. They
lived in small shanty in the midst
of pines, far apart from the others
huts, a queer frame for such a grand
picture of a woman-a lady, with a
superior bearing visible in her father.
I'd walked that way with the squire
once, and she ran out to meet him.
The sight Of her struck me all Of Il
heap, so unexpected in a lonely spot
where there was no other company
than the birds, no sound but the wind
in the trees. She was tall, the color of
wild roses in her cheeks, heavens
blue in her eyes. Her dress was dark,
and had none of the hashy ornaments
that women such as we take up with
cram on; her hair, coiled smooth about
her head, shone like black satin.
This is one of my-chums, my
DEAR" said the squire, with his soft
voice and his hard smile.
Since then l had hung about the log
house after work, often | fetched
water and sticks, and did such odd
word; but she found me out in brace
of shakes and was thankful for such
help as l could give, knowing that l
meant no harm, though l startled her
at first, a great giant of a chap in my
rough gear.
Once / came upon her watching in
the gloa ming. How eere it was I'M
der the trees; the wind soughed
through the branches, bringing dash
of rain; a deluge was in the black
clouds sweeping across the sky.
Il am anxious about my father" she
said, and she looked like a tall white
lily that had been showed into the
wrong pot, and touching my big, earth
stained fingers with her fine, slim
hand. Il am always anxious about
him, though since knowing you have
not felt so absolutely distressed for
am glad to recollect that you are
within his call. You would stand be-
tween him and harm, think"
why, yes, miss; make your mind
easy on that source; 'twould be done
with a will. But what harm is like
to come that you need worry your
self?"
Ned" she oried, stopping suddenly,
her father always called me sol
had such curious dream last night.
l dreamed that l went down into the
valley beyond the wood, and there l
saw my father lying upon the grass
sound asleep-so sound that could not
wake him, while the clusters of wild
flowers srang up so high that they
hid him, and | heard the pines In the
distance chanting a solemn kind Of
litany. l was crying when / awoke."
You are too much alone, miss, and
grow nervous"
My father has been very fortunate
lately, has he notF' she asked.
He has had some good finds, miss;
and today he got hold of two jolly big
nuggets"
Il am glad. Will he bring them
home this evening? What's thatT'
She sprang to the door, fiinging it
open. the shine of the lamp behind
her.
Dearest father she cried, IS it
your"
But she broke off, alarm in her
voice. Ned! Ned for no father was
there. but two Of the worst OF our lot
scamps for whom hemp was growing;
the cue a BLACKBOARD sailor; the other,
a smartish, slim chap, thin. dark, lying.
His name was Phil Dawlish.
I remember now. as saw him by