The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-11-10

70 the ground and the nail head grazing
inns hand. AZ he turned his hand
over to examine the scratch the broken
surface Of the stone caught hiseye. He
gave loud whistle.
"Look here, Sam. Stop your laugh
ing and see what is inside of your white
elephant potato" !.
r With that keen interest in Fspeci-
| mensr which is the natural birthright
of every Rocky mountain boy Sam
stepped eagerly forward.
"Geode p"
mot muchi Nothing so common as
that. Inever saw anything like it."
"What do you reckon it is?'
Jim shook his head, turning the stone
from side to side and letting the SUM-
light play over its surface and reveal its
delicate beauty, for in the heart OF the
common brown stone lay circular
ribbed hollow lined with mo her-of-
pearl and in one side of this polished
nest was a cluster Of crystals.
at must be the impression of fossil
SHE'LL" said Sam, eying it intently.
"Why, yes-of course"
And Jim stopped to pick up the other
half of the stone.
eyes, here it is. Did you ever see
anything so perfect? Some spiral thing
that seems to go way down into the
stone. Just look at the coloring, will
you? Rainbow tints, every one! And
see? pierre is the hole where that lit
tie bunch of crystals was broken out,
and the inside of the shell, or animal
whichever it isis lined with crystals
as far down as you can see"
"Jim, you're in luck. You can sell i:
at the museum, and for good price,
too"
mo, I shall give it to Miss Lamb for
her cabinet. owe her something for
her starting me in business"
II do believe, Jim, you'd give away
your head if it was not we'll fastened on
| your shoulders. But come, there's the
| first bell and we must hurry"
Miss Lambs admiration of the fossil
was all that he could have desired.
II cannot tell you what it isl she
| said, "but am sure it is something too
rare for you to give away. 1t ought to
have considerable money value. !
cannot accept it from you until have
| ascertained its worth"
"Allright, them" said Jim, winhng at
Sam. you may sell it if you wish, and
all above five dollars that it brings you
may give to me for my chicken house"
Its bargain" said Miss Lamb,
laughing, "and the five dollars shall 90
| to the Children's Fresh-Air fund.-"
The following Saturday Miss Lamb
took the specimen to Prof. Black, an
eminent geologist.
| "a turrilite!' he exclaimed, excitedly.
"Where did you find it?''
| Miss Lamb told him the story.
"Well, well, well! Now might 60 on
breaking open stones with my geol-
ogist's hammer till the end of time and
get nothing for my pains, while this TN
lettercd boy, b chance blow-why,
this is really the finest specimen of its
Kind ever saw! Such perfect frac-
ture-ihe whole thing SO completes!
See how perfectly the two pieces fit
together-not fragment gone!
There you are. Just common
stone again. You can scarcely see the
crack. Why, Miss Lamb, if had that.in
my cabinet would not take 500 for
| it."
will you give that for it?"
"You don't mean to say it is for
sale!"
eyes, the finder is poor boy, and
would make excellent use of the money.
He is going into the chicken business,
and that sum would give him good
start-buildings and all. Ltell you, pro-
fessor, Jim Jones has real pluck and
principle"
II judge so from the novel way in
which he was using this stone," giving
it affectionate. professional little taps.
| "Yes, will give you $1C0 for it, ard
thank you very much besides"
The professor wrote his check, gave it
tc Miss Lamb and locked the turrili:e in
his choicest cabinet.
OF course, Jim could hardly believe
his good luck, but you may be sure he
was quite reconciled to it. By the time
his modest chicken house was finished
and dozen glossy black Langshans
strutted proudly in their grassy run
the old Brahma was of with ten
healthy chicks and was given the most
comfortable quarters and the choicest
food that the yard afforded. Miss Lamb
and Sam Simmins were invited on spe-
cial Saturday to inspect the new build
ings and stock. They both smiled when
they saw neat arch over the gateway
upon which was painted:
| TUltRILITE CHICKEN RANCH:
JAMES CONN. I:
pROppTErop