The sun., 1897-12-05
UNCLE JIM and UNCLE BILLY.
BY BRET HARTE.
COPYRIGHT. 1897. BY Bret Hdrts.
PART L

Thcy were partners. Tho avuncular title
was bestowed on them by Cedar Camp, possi-
bly, In recognition OF IA certain good-naturcd
humor, quito distinct from tho spasmodic ex-
uberant spirits of It's other members, and posi-.
bly, from what, to It's youthful sense. seemed
their advanced dges-which must have been at
least 40 Thoy had also set habits even In
their improvidence, lost incalculable and un'
payable sums to each otAer over euchro regu-
larly every evening, and: inspected their sluico
boxes punctually every Saturday for repairs
which they never made. They oven got to re-
sembe each other, after the fashion Of old mar
ried couples, or, rather, as in matrimonial part
norships, were subject to tho domination OF the
stronger character; although in their case 1t is
TO DO feared that IL was the feminine Uncle
Billy-enthusiastic, imaginative, and loqua-
cicus-who swayed the masculine, steady-going
and practical Uncle Jim. They had lived in
The camp since its foundation in 1S49; there
seemed to be no reason why they shouldn't re-
main there until its inevitable evolution into
mining town. Tho younger members might
leave through restless ambition or a desire for
change and novelty; they were subject to no
such trifing mutation.
The rain was falling softly on the bark thatch
OF the cabin with q muffied murmur. like a
sound heard through sleep. Tho southwest
trades wero warm even at that altitude, as the
open door testified, although fire of pine bark
was fickering on the adobe hearth and strik-
ing outsanswcring fires from the freshly secured
culinary utensils on the rush sideboard which
Uncle jim had cleaned that morning with his
usual serious pcrsistency. Their best clothes,
which were interchangeable and worn alter
nately by each other on festal occasions
hung on the walls which were covered with'a
coarse sailcloth canvas instead of lath and
plaster, and were diversified with pictures
from illustrated papers and stains from tho cx-
terror weather Two "bunks," like. ships
berths, an upper and lower one, occupied the
gable end of this single apartment, and on beds
of coarse sacking, filled with dry moss, were
carefully rolled their respective blankets and
pillows. They were the only articles not used in
common and their individuality was respected,
Uncle Jim, who had been sitting before the
fire. rose as the square bulk OF his partner ap-
pcared ut the doorway with an armful of wood
for the evening stove. BY that sign he knew it
was o'clock; for the last six years Uncle
Billy had regularly brought in the wood at that
hour, and Uncle Jim had as regularly closed the
door after him, and set out their single table,
containing q greasy pack of cards taken from
Its drawer. a bottle of whiskey, and two tin
drinking cups. To this was added q ragged
memorandum book and stick of pencil. The
"Hol on mint" said Uncle Billy.
His partner laid down the cards as Uncle
Billy extracted from his pocket pill box, and,
opening it, gravely took pill. This was clear
ly an innovation on their regular proceedings,
for Uncle Billy was always in perfect health
whats this fort" asked Uncle Jim, half
scornfully.
"Agin ager."
"You amt got ager." said Uncle Jim,
with the assurance Of intimate cognizance OF
his partners physical condition.
But it's a pow-ful preventive! Quinine!
Saw this box at Riley's store. and laid out a
quarter on it. We kin keep it here, comfort.
able, for evenings. It's mighty soothin' arter
mans done hard days work on the river
bar. Take one."
Uncle Jim gravely took pill and swallowed
| it, and handed the box back to his partner.
We'll leave it on the table. sociable like In
case any Of the boys come in" said Uncle Billy
| taking up the cards. well, how do we standi'
Uncle Jim consulted the memorandum book
| you were OWN me sixty two thousand dollars
| on the last game. and the limits seventy five
| thousand"
"Je whillikens!" calculated Uncle Billy. lie,
! me see."
He examined the book. feebly attempted tc
| challenge the additions, but with no effect or
hundred thousand" he said, seriously, seventy
five thousand is only triflin' in game like ours
And you've set down my claim at Angel'si" ht
continued.
| Il allowed you ten thousand dollars for that,
said Uncle jim, with equal gravity. land it's q
| fancy price, too
| The claim in question being an unprospecte6
| hillside ten miles distant, which Uncle jim
had never seen, and Uncle Billy had not visit
| ed for years, the statement was probably true
Nevertheless, Uncle Billy retorted:
| 'Ye kin never tell how these things will par
out. Why. only this mornin l was takin' a turI
round Shot Up HILL that yc know is jest rotteI
| with quartz and gold. and l couldn't hell
thinkin' how much it was like my ole claim a
Angels. must take day off to go on there
and strike pick in it, If only for luck"
Suddenly he paused and said: Strange
amt it, you should speak of it tonight. Now
| l call that queer"
He laid down his cards and gazed mysterious
ly at his companion. Uncle Jim knew per
fectly that Uncle Billy had regularly once I
week for many years declared his final deter
mnation to go over 10 Angels and prospect hi
claim. yet nevertheless he half responded {,
his partners suggestion of mystery. and lool
Of fatuous wonder crcpt into his eyes. But h
contcnted himself by saying, cautiously, "Yo,
| spoke of il first
That's the more sing lar" said Uncle Billy
confidently. "And I've been thinking about /
and kinder seein' myself thar all day It
mighty queer" He got up and: began to rum
mage among some torn and coveress books Il
the corner
"Whero's that dream book gone tor
''The Carson boys borrowed it," replied Uncl
Jim. Anyhow. yours wasn't no dream-onl
a kind o vision. and the book don't take n
stock in visions" Nevertheless he watches
his partner with some sympathy, and added
THAT reminds me that had dream the othe
night OF being in Frisco at u small hotel, wit
heaps O. money, and all the time being sort {
scared and bewdered over it,"
Not said his partner eagerly, yet reproact
fully. "Nou never let on anything about it I
me! It's mighty queer you havin these strang
fecin'sfor I've had EN- myself And only t.
night comm up from tho sp"ing, l saw tw
crows hopping In the trail. rnd says IL ! sc
another it's luck, sure! And you'll think II
lyin', but when / went to 'hc wood pile jus
tl,n IA irJ l.,