The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-07-18
STORY.
His Luck Penny,

NcWS nus ROne ABROAD Unab log hel-
larcy has broken out again, and as he al
ways takes care to have his little bouts re-
WONDERED n crowd soon collects
On this particular Saturday he has set
himself to try conclusions with Kanga-
roo Jack of the Midas claim. 1t is q 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 its 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 Kcllarey counts his
broken fingers every one suddenly rcmem-
bers the unguardcd state of his tent and
vanishes into the darkness not to reap
pear until the sound of the coach horn is
heard on Portugeo 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
groans up the street, TO pull up before the
flaming lights of the Jolly Diggers. 1t is
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 dilapdated Indian ghari.
The driver, tC whom Is intrusted the
lives and hereafters of the half dozen pas
sengers, travels the 240 miles between the
goldflelds 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
70 last longer Dog Kellarey, advanc-
ing, invites the 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 more 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 We 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
emnly, as if aware of his unique impor-
tance, For Dog Kellarey."
What" shouts that gentleman.
"That's lie, you Bill Who says the
kids for meS'
II do, " replies the driver. "Poll Waites
L.
its buds for yer. The little uns father
pegged out on Saturday Flash Dick of
Wild Dog Creek. Is last WORDS was, Sen
the kid to my old mate Dog Kellarey, )
an SO 1 fetched it along, an the passengers
made up the fare among 'em, SO there s
nothin to pay-therc"
''Old Dick pegged outl' the Dog num-
bles slowly. odd Dick pegged out an sent
rs kid to me-"
The crowd is so tickled with the idea
that it ventures upon a laugh.
The laugh decides him, and 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 Kellarey's
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
ems dire penalties on the head of any man
who crosses it.
News, news!-great and glorious news
News which runs like wildflre through
the field, which flies from tent to tent
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.
Dog Kellarey's proverbial bad luck
has turned at last-he has bottomed on
the Lead the new claim has turned up
kumps with vengeance.
1t is full Of gold-specks, specimens and
nuggets. Not nuggets as small as peas,
but large as teacups. Not here and there,
but in big deep lead, fortune at every
drive of the pick.
The luck penny, who has been sleeping
n the shadow of the tent watches and
chuckles at piece Of glittering mica. In
his excitement the Dog sings out:
boys, tbs 'er as done 1t. There's the
lass that brought me luckr'
Three p. m. More Excitement
A nugget weighing 80 pounds The
monster of the field, wonder of the coun-
try and a fortune TO its finder.
Picks and shovels are thrown down, the
roar of cradles and sluiceboxes stops as If
by magic, and the excited crowd starts at
run for tho claim.
On their arrival Dog Kellarey says moth
ing, but for the second time he carefully
points out his boundary He places his
revolver on the cradle ready to his hand
and, bless you, the crowd understands
what he means by that.
The luck penny sucks her thumb and
crows contentedly Womanlike, she knows
she Is the center of attraction.
When the last visitor has departed, the
Dog picks her up and says emphatically:
'Kinchinl Itsyou as brought the luck
TO the old man. Now, look here three
parts of that claim belongs to you, it
doesl''
And he meant 1t.
A bright, fresh morning, with few