The morning times., 1896-03-29

Ab0NG liiils WI NlAAl1A llAlihs tnNNiNh AAiN
peaks OF the Californian Sierras in solemn
grandeur. At his feet lay gulch OF con-
siderable depth, with a number OF rough
wooden shanties huddled together in the
bed OF il.
Ii was a Sunday afternoon; the sun hung
low over the western hills, and never pick
clinked in all the gulch. Only, at Intervals,
q sound of drunken merrimeut came floating
up from Griff's saloon.
As the miner listened to the sound his lips
curled in a smile Of contempt. God knows
what his past has been, but whatever its hF
tory it had left him gloomy, taciturn, I'M
sociable. His miner clums had niCknamed
him ''Genueman jim" but in spite OF his
solitary habits they respected not less than
they feared him.
where's the kid off Ia now. wonder?"
he said, looking about him in search of some
one. Line see-she was pointing dOwnhill
last time sot eyes on her. Come, old hoss,
lets go'n look her up"
The child OF whom he spoke was the only
one in the diggings. Her mother had never
been seen in those parts, and her father was
dead-a victim to bit OF Yengeful revolver
practice on the part Of half tipsy chum.
ANYTHING more unlike the rough and ready
frequenters OF the mines than this daugh-
ter OF the digEingS could not well be mag
ined. The worst men have something good
and tender in them stil!, and drinking,
knife-using, lawiess crew though the miners
We're, in The presence of The lass" they
became as docile as lambs. They fairly
wOrshipel her. AS for Gentleman Jim,
he had constituted himself her special
protector.
The Two were mutually drawn TO each
other, and many a happy hour did the mo-
rose, solitary miner spend in the society
OF the Tiny, prattling maid.
Now that she had strayed from his side
he rose abruptly and stode down the slope,
looking 10 right and left for some sign
OF the truant.
Just below The group of shanties a deep
earlh-Cutung scanned the hillside Ike
monster cash. 1t was the starting point
OF branch railway. which when completed
would connect The diggings with DRAGON
City, the nearest point OF the great trunk
line, some four miles farther down the
gulch. The rails, as a matter OF fact, were
already laid, and the dggings would ere
this have been in touch with the outer
world had not tremendous freshet swept
away a portion OF the railway embank-
ment only a few weeks before
Upon the hillside cutting the miners gaze
fingered doubtfully. On the track at its bot
tom there stood, he knew, a number OF hand
cars or trolleys, and on these he had once
found the child playing. He had forbidden
her ever going there again, Tor the uolleys
were prevented from starting off in mad
career down the steep track by a mere block
OF wood placed under the front wheel or
eecn.
NO he said to himself. with a shake OF
his shaggy head, 'shc wouldn't 20 nigh
them If told her not" So, diSInisSing the
doubt from his mind, he directed his steps
toward the shanties.
As he neared them he caught up with
couple Of miners, who were coming fromthe
direction Of the railway.
Seen anything o the lass, mates?" lie
asked.
The miners stopped. one Of them was
somewhat unsteady on his legs. the Other
fairly sober. The latter made answer.
seen her just now playin' on one o them
thar Jrolleys.'
"Ou the irollcys, did you say. mater
THAT'S what 1 said replied the other,
sand don't you forget it!'
Gentleman Jim did not seem likely to for
get il. On the contrary, he set of toward
tie railway at a run.
Looked rayther skcercd.' remarked the
more sober of the two miners 10 his coupan-
ion. "Gucss I'll run back an see what's
up." And with that he hurried after Gcn-
tlcman Jim.
Two minutes sufficed 20 bring the latter
20 the edge OF tie cutting. Fifty feet hc-
% u the
lowcrmost Of tie lire Of troueys, knelt 1.-The
lass" grasping the cranE-handlc Of the car
yyilh both hands and singing softly TO her
self as she worked it back and forth. At
glance Gentleman Jim saw that the crank
was beginning to reyolve. The trolley was
in motion.
He shouted. and the child, raising her
head. looked pthc slope. As she did sothe
heavy iron crook swung sharply round,
struck her upon the temple. and feled herto
the bottom OF the car. which, released from
the restraint OF her hands. began 10 move
rapidly down the sloping track.
Gentleman Jim cleared the bank almost at
q bound. but he was too late TO stop the troll
lev. kicking the wedge from unde rthe
wheel OF the next in line, he was about
toset II in motion when the miner who had
GaSFIfINifl TIE NiltIttbbuAs % Alt lass
came sliding down the bank 10 his side.
Tumble in, mate" shouted Gentleman
Jim. the lass's off down the track in
yOnder trollcy!'
Then amt sich a fool as TO follcr her"
retorted the other, coolly. Reckon ye
know the big dumps washed out?''
"Ay, I know it wcll,'' said Gentleman
jim. between his teeth, "and we've got 10
catch that trolley aforc 1t jumps the rails
into the wash-out. VIII ye Gomez
burned if ] dor was Tie doEEed reply.
Gentleman Sim stood holding the trolley
back with one hand. With the other he
seized thefellow round the waist and swung
him upon the car.
The trolley was fitted with double cranks.
One Of these Gentleman Jim seized. Take
tother," said be to his unwilling COM
panion, or, by heaven, I'll chuck ye over
tie first trCstlc we come tor
The other sulienly obcycd, and the light
car, lmpellCd 10y thciT united strength, shot
forward with a velocity that made the
wheels fairly sing upon the metals.
Tie runaway trolley bad now passed out
Of sight round q lend. Presently. however,
It rcappcarcd-thc line forming a oontinu-
Gus zigZag in its descent Of the precipi-
tous gulch-a fun quarter or nile ahead.
And tie washout was but two. With such
q start could the runaway be ovcrtakcn
in time? Gentleman sim hcaved at the
crank until The great Knots OF muscles upon
his arms seemed like TO burst beneath
the strain.
Again tie runaway sped out Of and
leaped into view. Tie child could now be
seen cIinging to the SIDE Of the car, her
hair streaming in the wind. ste had re
covered from the effects or the blow.