The San Francisco call., 1896-11-01

for action then. A lucky strike in the
placer mines of Yuba County gave the
Wilson's about $4,000 in gold. and with
this it was determined to establish home.
Mr.. Wilson had become greatly inter-
ested in quartz mining and he thought,
with many others. that the yield from the
placers would soon be exhausted, so he
determined to stake his fortune in quartz
mine.
After long study and with the full con-
currence OF his wife, he purchased a prom
isng claim in Nevada County, near the
present city of Grass Valley.
There Johnnie was born about two years
aiterward, and there he lived, happy as
the day was Ions, until he reached the age
of 10. The intervening years had passed
brightly and quickly for the Wilson's,
the devotion of the husband being re-
varied by the supreme affection of the
wife. Work on the mining claim had been
steadily prosecuted. and the labors of the
industrious owner had been rewarded by
the uncoyerlng of an occasional pocket of
ore which sometimes yielded well, encour-
aging him to renewed efforts.
But alas dark day camel A Aloosened
timber fell upon Mr.. Wilson one day while
he was at work and crushed one of his
feet. long season of suffering and in
action was the result, and months after
ward his physicians were forced to tell
him it would never perfectly heal, and
that his days of active mining were over.
Troubles increased; money became scarce /;
then the brave little wife was obliged to
take upon herself the sole support OF the
family.
Without complaint, for she was true
pioneer. she took up the heavy burden.
Mr.. Wilson's inability to work made
him extremely irritabl although he
never complained to his heroic wife.
He meditated often on the thought if
he could sell his mine for just what it ha
cost him he might be able to enter some
business that would be congenial as well
as profitable. Notwithstanding his i'm
paired physical condition.
So he and his wife, after considering the
subject, decided to dispose OF the claim.
But men of capital kept away, busy
relsewhere, and the opportunity to sell did
not present itself for many months.
One day, when the resources of the
ebb, two strangers called at the house and
| otoeOo e-i3t thCy MClC OufluR 1uluCo anu
were looking for good prospect Would
Mr.. Wilson care to sell?"
The miner answered "yes" and stated
his price, while the light of hope shone
brightly in his eye.
An examination of the mine followed
and the men left, but returned again and
again during the next few weeks.
Finally they approached the subject oi
the consideration to be given, and offered
Mr.. Wilson just one-quarter of the price
he had named.
Although sick at heart, and knowing
how much he needed money, he indig
nantly refused. The men took their de.
parture, leaving the address of the hote
at which they would be for ten days.
Money grew scarcer and scarcer, The
disgrace of being in debt stared them IL
the face; no better prospect offered itself
and at last, despairingly, a note was ad
dressed to the would be purchasers accept
ing their offer, and designating the tim,
and place for completing the transaction
Johnnie was the bearer of the not,
whose writing had caused so much of sor
row, and was dispa ched TO Nevada Cit,
in the care of kind neighbor.
The basLful boy entered the hotel wher
the men whom he had come to see wer
stopping and sat down TO await their com
ing.
He knew of the trouble in home. an,
had mourned in secret the sorrow of hi
parents, but he was of pioneer stock an
bravery was natural heritage.
Now, it so happened that the very mel
were seated at table in a far corner of tn
room and had been unnoticed by Johnny
OF course they paid not the least atten tiol
TO the mite OF boy, who was sitting look
, inc out of one of the large windows at tn
, passing scenes of the street.
The men were discussing their propose,
! investments, when one of them in an un
!, guarded moment and with his voice raise,
} above the ordinary pitch, rem arked: 81