The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-05-25

the mountains began to shed water
lively, and the little creek that tumbled
through the camp grew into u torrent
and began TO spread itself promiscuouS-
ly over the claims along it's bed. The
clouds went TO york in lead earnest,
and when o got out from unGer
shelter, it wasn't u difficult job to
imagine that some fire department was
taking you for u conllagration, and you
were shortly much put out.
And SO when Eddie Freeman, drip
ping wet, Slid in with Il gust OF wind
through the door Of the Oriolo hat
night, the racket inside didn't begin
To compare with that which the creek
now taking on the airs of Il river, was
making outside. | felt uneasy about
that creek, and wondered if the fell
lows who had tackled their cabins up
against the hillside hadn't shown con-
siderable horse sense after all. But
there was Il sparkle in Eddie's eye and
such Joy in his voice that [ forgot all
about the creek Tor the time being,
when he slammed the door and hove
up to the bar. Then he skipped over
to where Pizcn Bill vas absorbed in
collection and gin, and held out to him
Il sack of ore. Bill smiled after the
fashion Of the evil one but when he
went to diving into the rock as big u
change came over his face as u land
slide makes in tho side of u mountain.
La another minute We were all eXainln-
irg some Of the finest specimens OF
gold. bearing ore that was ever found
in California. There wasn't any doubt
about it. Bill JohnsOn's salt was merely
spice for u mighty fine pudding.
Then the venom in Wi lam Us ma
ture showed itself in his lace, but his
words were uncomronly pleasant.
That's u mighty fine mine yer
have he said, and | am mighty proud
that | am the man that's put yer In the
, way of SIGH extraordinary luck. L
kuowed | wuZ gtvin' yer u great thing,
but bizness in other places wouldn't
allow me to put In my time on that,
and besides | tux d big fancy to yer,
cz | allus did to smart young men, and
wanted yer to come out on top ov the
heap. Bein' az Pm partner in this
yere great luck, suppcsin' we do q lit
tie celebratin'? Let's likker up and
then hev Il little soshul game to COM
memorate this great event."
Freeman evidently thought a little
whiskey would be Il welcome change
from the rain water he had been dab
bling 10 and pretty soon there was "
lively f~our-hanued game in progress,
punctuatcd with orders for various
kinds Of refreshments. Bnt about that
| Ill LII wac Wv iNASN, " w
say scattered. | knew that William
OF the tribL of Johnson was up to some
evil job, fNr he was getting the young
ster, whose beverage before he crossed
the mountains had evidently been cof-
fee, to do most of the drinking, ably
assisted by the other two players; but
the storm outside seemed TO be putting
up some kind Of IL bad job on us all,
] and pretty Don the crowd commenced
TO thin out, and | could hear the min
gled sound OF profanity and splashiEg
Of water rs the miners stepped out, by
token Of which | judged that the IA
water of the creek was visiting us, and
80 | sauntored over to my bar window
and unfastened the catch.
About the time the fun over in the
card party's corner began to get hilari-
Gus, the water began to creep across
the hoor in black rivulets, looking like
mocassins seeking holes, n II last
OF the uneasy guests sided out, except
ing my Interested company in the cor
ncr. 1t struck me that IL wa, u good
time Of year for them to leave, but Il
glance at Pizen Bills countenauce rave
me to understand that it wouldn't be
altogether to my interest to make such
Il suggestion, ana besides the proprie-
tor, who was peacefully snoozing up in
his cabin on the hill side, would give
me an everlasting farewell if turned
out paying patrons. So L stayed, with
one eye Ol the window, n on the
party, and both ears out for the storm.
The rivulets on the foor had spread
out. and pretty 500 we bad . good
foundation for a natatOrium.
Talk was getting pretty loud around
the card table, and young Freeman's
face held q better flush tina his hand
could raise. But even he noticed that
it seemed to be rising tide time, and nc
remarked
Don't want (hic) to get my feet wet.
Lesh go up in the balc'ny." And Bili's
mouth curled up at the corners while
they tossed the small table on the
larger one, and followed after with the
chairs. Booze had made them al reck-
iess, and Bill had an object worth TAX
ing risks for.
The candles hickercd along the walls
aud the black water cddicd beneath
them. They had the table decorated
with some large bottles, to save or
dering and, while / sat on the edge
Of the bar and lopged for home. sweet
home, the game went on. Bulls yell
low face looked more demon-like than
ever, and the shadows of the players
made fantastic figures in the dim light
on the water. But it was q triumph.
ant devil that was looking out of his
eyes, and | knew that the Twilight
mine was mighty near within his
clutches again.
Two of the players he'd dropped out
on u hand Of Williams deal, and were
trying to look intelligent and interest
ed in spite of the loads they were car
rying. Freeman's brow looked troubled,
and his face had kind of whitened.
We'll" aid Bill, deliberately stack
ing his pile Of chips, which had absorb
ed all the others, Il thought you wuz
IL man NV nerve. Supposin' yer are
busted? Wot's the matter with the
Twilight? Pm a gentleman, an got
san'-an' | s'posed thar was others wot
WIZ present. Ef yer hev a good han,
thar's a mighty fine chance fer yer to
show it. L hev here a leetl fortshun
in chips, an out on the hill | hev a
third part en- the Twilight. Jest to
show yer hat Pm q true sport an that
no gent this side Of hell kin run or bluff