Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11

Uncle Billy confided to him that he was
seeking his old partner, Jim Foster and
reticent of his own good fortune. spoke
glowingly of his partners brilliant expecta-
tons, but deplored his inability to find him
And just now he was away on important
business. Il reckon he's got back" said
the man dryly. Il didn't know he had a
lock box at the pest office, but l can give
you his other address. He lives at the Pre-
sidio. at Washerwomans bay" He stop-
ped and looked with a satirical smile at
Uncle Billy. But the latter. familiar with
California mining camp nomenclature, saw
nothing strange in it, and merely repeated
his companions words.
You'll find him theer Good-bye! So
long! Sorry I'm in a hurry" said the ex-
miner. and hurried away.
Uncle Billy was too delighted with tho
prospect of a speedy meeting with Uncle
Jim TO resent his former associates super
clilous haste, or even to wonder why Uncle
jim mad not informed him that he had re-
turned. IT was not the first time that he
mad felt how wide was the gulf between
himself and these others, and the thought
not only drew him closer to his old partner
as well as his old IDEAS it was now nos
slpie TO surprise him with the draft But
as ne was now going to surprise him In his
own boarding house-probably a handsome
one-Cncle Billy reflected that he would
do so in a certain style.
He accordingly went to a livery stabIe
and ordered landau and pair with a
negro coachman. Seated in it. in his best
and most ill-fitting clothes, he asked the
coachman to take him to the Preside, and
leaned back In the cushions as they drove
through the streets with such an express
sion of beaming qualification on his good
humored face that the passers-by smiled
at the equipaSe and it's extrayagant ocou
pant. To them 1t seemed the not unusual
sight OF the successful miner ION q spree
To the unsophisticated Uncle Billy their
smiling seemed only natural and kindly
recognition of his happiness and he nod
ylyifh
pecting candor and innocent payfulness.
These yer Frisco fellers amt all sIouches
you bet he added to himself, half aloud,
at the back of the grinning coachman
Their way led through w.ll-buiIt streets
to the outskirts. or rather to that portion OF
the city which seemed to have been over
wheimed by shifting sand dunes, from
which haif-submerged fences and even low
houses barely marked the line of highway
The resistiess trade winds which had marx
ed this change blew keenly in his face and
sishtiy chilled his ardor. At turn in the
road the sea came in sight, and slopng to-
ward 1t the great cemetery Of Lone noun
tain, with white shafts and marbles that
glittered In the sunlight like the sails of
ships waiting to be launched down that
slope into the eternal ocean. Uncle Billy
shuddered. What II 1t had been his fate
to seek Uncle Jim there!
Oars var Presidio!" said the negro
coachman few moments later, pointing
with his whip, land dar's var Wash-wo-
mans bay!'
Uncle Billy stared. A huge auadraaeular
fort of stone with a flag flying above its
battlements stood at little distance press
ed against the rocks, as IL beating back the
encroaching surges; between him and the
FORT but further inland, was a lagoon with
number Of dilapidated, rudely patched
cabins or cottages, like stranded driftwooli
around Its shore. But there was no man
sion, no block OF houses, no street. NOT an
other habitation or dwelling to be seen.
Uncle Btlly's first shock Of astonfshmant
was succeeded by feeling Of relief. He
had secretly dreaded a meeting with hIs
old partner in the 'haunts of fashion :"
whatever was the cause that made Uncle
Jim seek this obscure retirement affected
him but slightly: he even was thrilled with
vague memory OF the old shiftless camn
they had both abandoned. A certain in
sttnct-he knew not why, or less still that
1t might be one Of delicacy-made him
alight before they reached the first house.
Bidding the carriage wait, Uncle Billy en-
tered. and was informed by blousy Irish
laundress at a tub that Jim Foster. or Gar
kansaw Jim," lived at the fourth shantv
"beyant. He was at home. for he's
"sphrained hts fut." Uncle Billy hurried
on. stopped before the door of a shanfv
scarcely less rude than their old cabin. AM,
half timidly pushed 1t open. A Rrowiinr
voice from within, q flgure that rose hur
riedly, leaning on q stick, with an attemnt
to ny, but In the same moment sank hack
in chair with an hysterical lauxh-and
Uncle Billy stood In the presence OF his old
partnorl But rs Uncle Billy darted for
ward, Uncle Jim rose again. and this dine