The herald., 1897-03-07
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THE LAST DRINK MINE )
written for The Heraid.)

written for The Herald.)
McGivvins was a prosperous man.
Three years ago his possessions con-
sisted Of q sticlc-and-mud cabin. f1ne
spring Of water, small pair Of mules,
an old spring wagon and keen eye for
the main chance. Hitherto his only In
come had been derived from the sale of
water and few vegetables to occasion
al traders. But sudden and radical
change was at hand and the wonder1ui
geniusspossessed by McGivvins was no
longer kdoomed to remain in obscurity.
Gold had been discovered in paying
quantities near McGivvins'; prospeotors
were pouring in and excitement was
rife over the new find. McGivvins re-
mained COOL Putting man In charge
Of his cabin he hitched UP the mules and
quietly departed In five days he re-
turned with barrel of whisky. He
had covered $50 miles in that time, and
was now ready to supply a cardinal
want of the Arizona prospector. Think
of the possibilities in barrel of whisky.
a spring of water. and mine like NC
Givvins!
Three years later, and Saturday night
at McGivvins'. In large room OF per-
haps forty feet in length are gathered
score or more of prospectors and miners.
with q half dozen Mexican girls ana
women. A bar stretches nearly across
one end Of the room, behind which ths
broad face of McGivvins beams upon
his customers. The crowd is divided Into
parties, each engaged in its favorite
pastime At one table poker IS in full
swing; at another faro is dealt, and
stfrl another is devoted to Mexican
monte. The players are congregated
within easy reach OF the bar, where a
large share of the winnings finds Its
way. At the other end of the room
dance is in progress rare treat at
McGivvins', for this is the first time
that music and women have been pro-
cured for a dance To be sure, the mu-
sic Is execrable, the product OF an OLD
cracked fiddle in the hands of an an
cient Hassayamper, who is fast getting
under the influence of "McGivvins'
best" But the boys are not disposed
to be critical, and the Mexican ladies'
are in constant demand as partners.
The camp cannot yet boast of a white
woman, the nearest one being twenty
miles away.
George Meredith. a mining expert,
sent out by New York firm to examine
and report on a group of mines in an
other district is stopping for the night
at the place. McGivvins caters to every
want. Board aid lodging are provided,
and also a small store. where miner
can be fitted out with everything ne
cessary, not to mention such staples as
whisky and tobacco, calico and finery
for Mexicans and Indians. Meredith
sits apart and watches with keen inter-
est this peculiar phase Of humanity
as revealed by those who geek happi-
ness at McGivvins'. Presently a new
arrival enters the room and seats him.
self near Meredith. He is fine speci-
men of the western man; tall, blond
haired and muscular, dressed in the reg
ulation blue shirt and overalls, belt
of cartridges buckled around his waist.
but he carries no firearms. He Is evi-
IDENTIFY well known, S several Of the
men call him by name.
Hello, Prince." "Howdy, Prince!"
and others, i've got drink comm;
won't ye hev it? Take segar, Prince"
All of these friendly offers he de-
clined with, "Thankee boys, wouldn't
use emmy" Filling cob pipe he light
ed it and calmly smoked.
Curious to know more of this stately
looking prospector whom they called
Prince" Meredith engaged him in con-
versation and found that he was on his
way to visit a mine belonging to him,
and had made camp at McGivvins' for
the night. "Ye see, my claims forty
mile from where l live, anil take clus
onter all day termorrer ter make 1t with
ther burros. In course, if I wus fixed
like tother boys jerking his thumb
toward them, II cud live nearer ther
claim, but ye see, capt'n, I'm family
man. They's three families of us livin'
twenty mile frum here on Deluge erik"
What character of ore does your
ledge carry?" inquired Meridith.
Gold, mister, an free millin'. Reckin
I've got one of the best leads in Arizony
Ony one lection; haint drop O. water
thin ten mile ov't."
In the course of the conversation Mer-
idith informed Prince of the purpose of
his visit to Arizona.
80 ye're one of them yer experts!
seed one on EN- once afore, an he had
power of book truck in his head regard
in o. rock formation an sech, but he
never had no 'sperience with mineral"
Meredith assured him of his practical
knowledge gained from several years
experience with mines.
"Ye don't say so! Now I'll be dogged
If 1 wouldn't like powerful well to hev
We go long with me, if ye had time, an
take a square look at my prospect.
I've got plenty of grub an terbacker.
an a shotgun fer game. Ye'd hev ter
furnish yer own whisky, as 1 never in
dulge enymore myself"