The record-union., 1895-08-31


for?"
They stopped when they heard Beaver
SKINS voice, for every one respected the
old miner and hunter, and would not
anger him Intentionally.
He was a character in that vicinity.
No one knew whence he came, or scarcely
where he lived, for he roamed at will al
most over the whole country, mining and
trapping, for he would not give up his
old occupation entirely
Sometimes he went in company of Moe
casin, to whom he seemed much at
tached, though be had decided contempt
Tor the other Indians OF the neigh bor-
hood. "Moccasin is no Digger" he
would say. land he's good Ingun.
Mind that"
Old Moccasin associated very little
with the Dlggers. he had always been a
lrm friend of the whites. Round-shoul-
dered and crooked and below the medi-
um night, he was a singular-looking fel-
low with his bows and arrows always by
MN. He would never wear boots but
chung 10 his moccasins, and so became
known as Moccasin, just as Beaver Skin
won his name by the beaver skin cap he
always wore
This was an age when nearly every in
dlvlduaI carried nickname. Some
were as queer and startling as could be
Imagined, and they chung TO them as long
as they lived in the mines. 1t was not an
uncommon thing for partners in claim
TO work together for months without
knowing each others real name and
thus II was that men came to the cam p
lnquiring for old friends or relatives by
thelr legitimate names, ana were unable
TO get any clue to them, though convers-
ing with parties who were actually work
Ing with them.
Ihls was strange and peculiar period
In the history OF California Perhaps the
world Will never offer another SO singu
lar and, In some respects, so fascinating.
10 those who partook OF the scenes of
that wonderful time wherever their lot
may now be cast, and whatever their for
tune now may be. no time within their
memory can arouse the interest and at
tentlOn as mention of those early days
In California.
lt was late when the crowd dispersed to
their cabins on the creek and hillSides
among the giant pines. Even old NJ oc-
casln had glided across the flat and dis
appeared III the forest, and Beaver Skin
had gone to his cabin in q grove OF oaks,
when almost. with the last of the crowd,
went Mr.. Kirk to his cabin, some dis
tance from the camp. 1t was built in a
wild and dark canyon near his mine.
He had watched the demonstration in
Miss Rays honor with great interest.
He considered himself very fortunate in
making her acquain lance as he had, as it
would be likely to lead to a better ac-
qualntance, which he very much desired.
Indeed, he was deeply impressed. and as
he went to his cabin in the canyon he
determined to make Miss Ray his wife.
For the first time in his life he ac
knowledged to himself he had met a
woman who, in the few short hours he
had spent in her company. had COM
pletely upset" him. He was fercely in
love.
He knew, under the circumstances,
she would have scores of suitors; and he
knew also that TO succeed it was all inn
portant that he should press his suit with
all his might. The reasons tor this will
develop as we proceed. There may have
been other young miners who made reso-
lutlons OF the same nature as Mr.. Kirk.
L have no doubt there Were-it was the
most natural thing in the world to do:
out l doubt If any were as deeply in
earnest. or would display the same en-
ergy.
Before many weeks had passed Clinton
Ray had become aware OF the fact that
Lucy's society was much sought for, and
if be felt a touch of jealousy who would
blame him. He had pictured the happi-
ness he would have with her in his snug
cabin, and he almost dreaded to intro
uuC0 tuo sCOIc VI iEIoIQS w IlO w 6I0 al a
iously awaiting for the honor. SO far as
Lucy was concerned she expressed no
desire to become acquainted with any,
so devoted was she to her brother. But
this could not go on always. 1t is lmpOS-
sible that woman can be adored by the
opposite sex and not feel f1attered, or
that she can overlook and be totally in
different to the delicate attentions of her
admirers. Sooner or later she will find
hnr % " a m
that one, and almost before she is aware
of it, and quite before she would ac-
knowledge it, she will prefer that one
above all others.
Among the first TO call on Miss Ray
was Kirby Kirk, who, the very next day
after her arrival at the Flat, had lust
stepped in to inquire how Miss Ray mad
borne the long Journey" Clinton was at
the claim just then, and Miss Ray was
alone. She assured him she had fully re-
covered from the tlresome ride and was
greatly pleased with her new home.
Kirk was we'll dressed. and to most
agreeable manner was added exceedingly
good looks, yet Lucy was hardly at her
ease. Somehow she wished Clinton was
there. Really she did not know how
long a visit he made, but when he arose
to go be said:
II hope [ shall be allowed the pleasure
of seeing you often, Miss Ray"
I'VE shall be glad 10 see you," said
Lucy. my brother Clinton will always
be at home evenings"
When Clinton came home to supper
Lucy informed him OF Kinks call.
''Who is this Kirk you have spoken of
so Often?" said Clinton, as though the
least bit annoyed at mention of his name.
Il do not know him."
He has seen you often" said Lucy,
THAT may be-" said Clinton; put 1
should like to know something of nim
before he becomes regular caller"
''He Is very agreeable" added Lucy,
"but he has strange eyes"
Il will make inquiries of him." said
Clinton. 'He is a miner, l suppose?''
YES" said Lucy; but he dresses and
appears very much better than any other
miner l have seen. He seems very much
q gentleman"
Il hope he is," said Clinton, "for
you seem much Interested in him; but
you must not lay too much stress on
mans appearance here. The toughest
looking man may be graduate OF y ale
or Harvard. and we are rather sus-
picious of men that wear boiled shirts'"
"Ah, indeed, L suppose that elegant
expression belongs to California, as l
never heard it beore?" said Lucy.
YES" said Clinton. More express
i've than elegant, isn't it?
Tonight my partner, Arthur Lane,
will call. He would not come before be-
cause you were not sufficiently rested he
said. He's good boy, Arthur is, though
not as handsome as your polished Mr..
Kirk"
Arthur Lane was a tall, haZel-eyed
young fellow OF Is. At first glance YOU
would call him. rather plain; he was GER
tainly not attractive but his manner was
frank and sincere and be was thought by
his friends to be manly fellow. He oc-
cupied the log cabin near their claim
the same he had shared with Clinton be-
fore Lucy came.
w hnr, L nar that lao a