The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-04-09

went to the School of Mines Don't
you know that the famous mines of
Peru were found by an Indian who fell
down a cliff, caught at bush to save
himself, and pulling 1t up. saw that
the roots were heavy with gold? They
tell you up in Tuolomnne that one OF
the richest lodes in the county was
discovered by little girl four years
old, and every miner believes sincerely
in luck. Some of these days, when
have nothing else to do. | shall test
mine"
He laughed. and she. as in polite
ness bound, laughed with him at the
idea that a man of so many affairs
should ever have nothing to do. Nov
every word came back to her clearly
She must find a mine She could do
nothing else. and since for that neitn-
er knowledge nor experience were
needed. why should she not succeed?
1t was early spring and a summer in
the mountains would be good for little
Jack. Yes. she must look for a mine.
She possessed herself of a volume of
State Geological Reports and a State
Gazetteer. at the public library. and
near little place called Last
Chance" high up among the foot hills.
so small that 1t had not even a post
office She had wisdom enough to con
fide her plans to no one. misleading
Mr.. Bishop to think that she had
friends in the country to whom she
was going. What she did she did
quickly. and not many days later she
found herself nearing her destination.
A forlorn place enough. in spite of the
grandeur OF the eternal hills and the
beauty of a Californian spring. There
were plenty of deserted shanties; she
might have one for the taking. but for
all that, she was glad she had brought
a tent. The heaps of earth reminded
her of the abandoned redoubts in her
native county, the battle field of two
armies, in the War OF Secession. The
Last Chance mine was merely hole
in the hill, with a derrick and engine
above 1t. Fortune did not appear to
smile here, and Mrs. Lowrys heart
sank to her heels. The good-natured
teamster who had packed her and her
outfit from the nearest town, halted a
stones throw from the well which
supplied the camp with water. and
pitched her tent. She had partly con-
fided in him, and he had regarded her
with wonder and pity.
Il wish you luck. marm.' he said
There's plenty of government land
hereabouts. but nobody amt found no
gold to pay, 'ceptin' at the Last
Chance. and that amt no bonanza.
He left her thus, with his blessing,
and drove on, as he said, to swap
lies with Mr.. Mccarthy" manager and
part owner of the Last Chance Mine.
He did not say that at least half his
errand was to te.' Mrs. Mccarthy of
the new arrival. The news brought
that warm-hearted Irishwoman over
at once, urged somewhat by curiosity,
but chiefly by kindness.
And It's hunting for a mine ye
are?" she said Whoever heard OF
the like? Well. | wish you luck.
though sure they say there's no pay
dirt in these hills at all"
Just then little Jack. who had been
examining the interior of the tent,
which he regarded as fine new toy.
hearing voices, came out to invesu-
gate. Mrs. Mccarthy spied him and
broke off in her speech. oh, the
pretty bye; come here, me darfnt'
Sure and its as like as two peas that
he is to me own Terrence, the bye
lost ten years ago last June"
For. day after day, Mrs. Lowry
tramped over the hills. or sat on rock
lodges chipping at them to no pur-
pose, while Jack gathered flowers, or
herriaS mr. nicked IN nine comes and
cracked the pinons he found therein.
She had bought him little hammer
and he did as he saw her do. pecked
at the quartz lodges, now and then,
with the idea that he was rendering
efficient help.
Good Mrs. Mccarthy worried over