The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-10-12
CNHR-bsN<I 40 ~ w - ~ -
: Logic Of John Mills, Miner Z
3 By Henry j. Ames. Il

A S THIS is simply plain story OF
u John Mills. miner, no introduction,
Leyond a statement of the identity OF
the man, is necessary. Mills lived near
Rocky Canon, and had often aroused
.he people thereabout Tor within radl-
us of 25 miles, to a state of interroga-
tive curiosity which had never been
fully satisfied. He dwelt alone, in
cabin not worth describing, because
just such cabins have often been de-
scribed before When he first appeared
he had said nothing as to his origin.
a tall, silent man of 40 years, he went
at once into his chosen field prospect
ing, asking advice, and giving none.
Mills had good eye for leads" and
had been moderately successful, for
several times he had developed claims
until they had begun to assume the dig
nifty of mines, had sold them and moved
on. In 1891 he located a claim that
seemed promising, and for weeks toiled
at il single handed. He was strong and
skillful, and his progress remarkably
rapid, but occasionally he felt a pang
of solitude, and thought he ought to Sc
cure help, not only for the forwarding
of the work, but for the sake of compan-
ionship. One summer day as this mood
was upon him, he heard a voice at the
mouth of the slope marking the spot
where he had started into the side of
the mountain.
Hello there!" said the voice, may |
come down.
Mills dropped the sledge just then
poised for blow, and turned toward
the patch of light. NO." he answered.;
I'll come up"
AS he walked, curving his back, he
saw outlined against bit of sky
sturdy figure and head surmounted
by felt hat, the Tapping rim of which
had been secured in front, and from
beneath which there escaped wavy
mass of hair tossed on the breeze. The
miner wondered vaguely why a boy
should be so handsome. Emerging
from the slope he Strengthened himself,
taking full breath of the sweet noun
tain air. Then he drew from his pocket
pipe and tobacco, filled, lighted, alb
sorbed a few satisfactory whiffs, and
said, slowly: "Well?"
I'm RUDE Jackson" said the boy, in
return; IAN I'm here for work.
John pulled on. Better come to the
cabin while yank little grub togeth-
er. / take it," he added, starting down
the patch, that ye're prospectin' with
out no stake?'
The boy did not understand this, but
he gave an assent, and started with
Mills, who noticed that the sole of the
visitors shoe tapped at right angles
with every step. ''I'll cobble it after
supper" was his comment.
But about the job, you know" the boy
put in. timidly, stepping high on ac-
count of the loose sole.
''Oh, that's all right" answered Mills;
ye're hired. Didn't tell yeh?" And
they walked on.
In the evening they grew, in meas
ure, confidential, although RUDE did
most of the talking, as Mills cobbled
ne defective shoe into a state of useful
mess. Before bed time RUDE had ted
IF Sissie Campbell. She was back in
Missouri, where he himself had been
born and raised"
Il didn't have much money after
father and mother died." he went on,
simply, land Sue-her father has pile.
TIL bet old man Campbell has So, 900 out
on mortgage right now" He paused to
note the effect; Mills drove another
peg, while RUDE laughed nervously. Il
fell in love with Sue" he continued,
"bnt she wouldn't have it; that is" he
corrected, recognizing the awkward
ness VI tie expression, "sne didn't seem