Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-08-24
HIS LUCK PENNY.

1t is Saturday night on an Australian
goldfeld. The bar of the Jolly Diggers is
crowded.
News has gone abroad that Dog Kel-
larey has broken out again, and as he al
ways takes care to have his little bouts re-
membered a crowd soon collects.
On this particular Saturday he has set
himself to try conclusions with Kanga-
TOO 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 conous-
sion of the brain.
Then when Dog Kellarey counts his
broken fingers every one suddenly remem
bers the unguarded state of his tent and
vanishes 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's mails, is an occasion of great
Importance, and ranks even before new
finds or wardens' decisions
About II o'clock the coach creaks and
groans 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 hereafters Of the half dozen pas
sengers, travels the 240 miles between the
| goldfields 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 adj
mirers. When in due time he does de-
scend, passengers, diggers, loafers and dogs
escort him into the hotel, and in half an
hour the excitement is over.
On this OCCASION however, it is destined
to last longer. Dog Kellarey, advanc-
ing, invites tho driver to take refreshment
After complying with the request that
individual gets out to the vehicle, to return
with a bundle. Then unwrapping the
shawls, he places on the table baby girl
She cannot be moro than years old and
is fast asleep, her little head and its pretty
curls pillowed on one tiny arm.
| Every one presses round to look with the
exception of Dog Kellarey, who has no
curiosity in the matter of babies. Then
questions pour in thick and fast: "Whose
Is itP" "Where'd ye get the kiddy, ma
tey?" "Whose youngster is it, Bill?' 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."
"What" shouts that gentleman.
''That's lie, you Bill Who says the
kids for me!"
II do" replies the driver. "Poll Waites
of Wild Dog showed it aboard along with
its buds for yer. The little un's father
pegged out on Flash Dick of
Wild Dog Greek. Is last words was, Sen
the kid to my old mate, Dog Kellarey,'
an so fetched it along, an the passengers
made up the fare among 'em, so there's
nothin to pay-there!''
"Old Dick pegged outp' the Dog num-
bles slowly. "Old Dick pegged out an sent
lis kid to me-"
The crowd is so tickled with the idea
| that it ventures upon a laugh.
! nc lduSu uSClueS MIN, ana stepping up
alongside the sleeping child he sings out:
1.-THE kids mine, an the man as laughs
agin 'er laughs agin me. Now let's see
i'm as is game to grinl'
He has evidently gone home, for no one
| answers.
Sunday morning, and Dog Kellareys
claim is the center Of attraction. The lit
tie arrival of the previous night plays
about the tent door. The Dog, fearing
harm to her from his crowd of visitors,
carefully defines his boundary and threat
pns dire penalties on the head of any man
who crosses it.
News, news!-great and glorious mad
News which runs like wildhre thNssTsa
the field, which flies from tent to iel;--'
from the police cells ON the hill to Dutch
Joe's across the fiat, past the Eureka,
down to the day dawn-never stopping
until every one has heard it.