Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-01-20

November 81, 1896.
C@ Ma cloud OF yellow dust
~ the Plumas stage rolled
N % into Big Meadows. 1t was
n 81 long drive and warm
.oeRNO drive from Soda Springs,
!: AV and the horses were
~ fecked with spume, and
- W Old Hanks, the driver,
was very peevish because he was very
thirsty.
Two tired travellers climbed down
from the coach and stretched their
limbs and yawned, meanwhile looking
about them in a bewildered sort Of
way.
The time OF day was early evening,
the month was July, and the year was
1861; and Big Meadows was cross
roads resting place for hunters and
fishermen iu Plumas County, in Cali
fornia. There was general store in
Big Meadows, log house or two. the
Eureka Tavern and she'd for the stage
horses.
The tired travellers in looking about
them saw Johnny Blount, with his
arms akimbo, standing in the open
doorway o; the Eureka. Johnny kept
the tavern and kept it well, and Old
Hanks, the driver, had sung his
praises into the ears Of the travellers
at intervals all the way from Soda
Springs. The venison steaks that
Johnny broiled were famous not only
in Plumas, but in sll>she counties
round about.
Supper are awaitin' ye, gents, !"
said Blnunt with smile of welcome,
Us the two passengers walked toward
him. "Ye'll fine er place to wash up
in ther back room.
"From Frisco, presumed" he add
ed inquiringly, as he followed them
through the barroom.
eyes" replied the taller of the
young men. "My names Martin
Henry Martin, and I'm from~Frlco,
all right"
"And mine is Mocre-Samuel
Moore-and l sell at wholesale down
in the CITY,"
When the young men emerged from
the room back OF the bar their faces
were free from the dust of the long
ride, and they looked decently respec-
table, and sat down to the hot supper
in the dining room very much re-
freshed and very hungry.
Young Mr.. Martin hal finished his
venison when an exclamation OF sur
prise from Moore caused him to look
up quickly from his empty plate, and
he saw his friend staring madiy at a
young girl who was entering the room.
She was as graceful and pretty as
the fawn of mountain deer. He hair
was of deep yellow, like the flowers
on the hill near by. and her eyes were
us blue as the clear waters of the trout
stream in the gulch below. The fresh
ness and the beauty, and the child!ike
innocence and sweetness of her face
fascinated the eyes OF the young men,
and they quite agreed that she was the
prettiest creature they had ever seen.
"As graceful as sylph," whispered
Moore.
"And as modest as num-" echoed
Martin.
Edith May Blount was all that the
young men from Frisco had said OF
her, and her father was vary proud of
her, and if she had been eighteen or
twenty instead OF mere little miss of
fourteen he would have fretted him
self to death over the thought of los
ing her, for girls are girls, and they
will marry and forsake their poor old
fathers, even in the hills and gulches
of California.
The Blounts had made the journey
overland three years before all the
way from Maine, where Edith had
been borr, and whero the friends of
her childhood lived in the memory OF
her. 1t must be remembered that
down in Maine she had childish
sweetheart, sturdy little chap of
twelve years named John Phillips,
who loved her only, of course, as O
small brother, and rs soon as he was
able to write with pen and ink he sent
letters to her-the queerest, litsle
childish love letters one could i'm
aglne; and now three years had
elapsed. Edith was fourteen andJohn
was fifteen, and there were three
thousand long miles between them.
Moore aud Martin were at Zig
Meadows for trout-nothiug but
trout, and for week they kept their
eyes on the fishing; but the hearts of
both of them were smitten with John
ny Blount's little girl-with her hair
of deep yellow and her clear eyes of
blue.
When the time arrived for their de-
parture young Mr.. Moore, perhaps
more jealous than his companion, had
evolved plan of the future. wherein
little Miss Blount would play no small
part. He confessed it all to Martin,
and the proposition he made was as ro-
mantle as 1t was honorable and gener-
GUS. He suggested the plan to pay
for the education Of the girl in fash
ionsble seminary, and to trust in time
to win her woman's heart and her fair
band for his own. Moore WAS wealthy
enough to carry out his plan; Martin
admitted as much. but further than
that he displayed no enthusiasm for
the proposition whatever.
Moore sat down with Johnny Blount
one evening and very frankly and
honestly told the tavern keeper of his
plan, and he urged and he coaxed,
and he opened up his life to Blount,
and his heart MS well. Johnny Blount
was honest and blunt and poor, and,
after looking at all the lights and
shadows OF the future, he saw q rare
chance for Edith, and On education
worthy of her grace snd beauty. He
consented finally, and Moore climbed
on the down stage the next day salts
fed with himself and the world even
with hic friand Martin who omevha