The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-01-18
See what 1t is" said Sam.
Bob crossed hesitatingly and peered

Its heads" he cried, 1--we lost.
And I've won," cried Sam, rushing
over to the place and picking up the
dollar, my dear old lucky coin," and
lie put 1t to his lips and kissed tt
then went to Bob who was looking,
out of the window
"Shake." he said, holding out his
hand.
Bob turned and took it, gripping
hard.
Here's the key of the chest-you've
got the nugget" said Ugly Sam.
"Yes-that's right enough" replied
Bob the Beauty with choke; I'll be
of in the morning"
1t was early when Bob got up next
morning-so early that there was
only a very faint tinge Of light in the
east-but he hadn't slept wink. so
IT was as good as tossing about for
another hour or SO.
He unattached the door Of the shanty
as noiselessly as he could, for fear OF
Weakening Sam, who was snoring away
on his back, and slipped out into tho
open. He wanted to have a last look
around, and straighten things up for
his going-he'd have to make some ex.
cuse to the boys, he thought, they'd
think it strange, and so he walked
down to the claim.
Although he had gone out so quietly.
- Tod ol ho1
or Sam, who woke to find himself
laughing, positively laughing. he was
so happy.
He didn't get up Immediately. but
lay there planning out his future hap
piness. He was sorry. very sorry, for
Beauty, but perhaps the nugget would
be some consolation to him; besides.
he didn't think Bob liked the girl as
much as he did.
Quite an hour passed before he
dressed himself, bit smarter than
usual, and went out. He even picked
a little yellow flower that was grow
ing among the grass by the side of the
track and put it into his buttonhole.
He had been walking for some time.
now and then breaking into song In
his deep, rough voice, and hardly mo-
ticing where he went-till he looked
up and found himself by Peep Hollow.
some way out of the camp; so he
sat down with his back against a
big pine and lit his pipe.
| LAS happy as king I'd be-" he
started to sing between the puffs OF
smoke, when he stopped suddenly. for
.oming along the path toward him he
saw slight figure in big straw hat
His heart gave bound. II was Lii!
Ugly sat very still as she ap
preached, and she didn't see him, be
ing very interested IN something she
was talking to-he strained his ears
TO listen.
"You dear, dear, old fellow-how
love you-better than all the world
Sleepy Camp thrown in"
1t was a photo-picture she addresse,
these remarks to, Sam could MAKE
that much out.
There, back to your little hiding
place and nobody knows nothing abon
yer" So saying she kissed 1t am
slipped 1t into the front Of her blouse
then, turning from the path. cut OF
through the pines.
Sam had stopped his song to listen
and it was some moments before n
thought Of getting up to follow heI
out he did after time, and tried t
make out the way she had gone.
He had been breaking through tn
underground for few minutes whe
he saw something on the ground fey
yards ahead.
Its the picture she had" said SaI
to himself. 50 he forced his wa
through the spot where 1t lay. 1t wa
lace downward-he picked 1t up an
turned It overt was the Beauty's.
Sam let it fall with half stifled or
and put his hand to his throat. the
kicked his way out to the track agai
and made for the shanty.
J He met two or three of the boy
who were OF to work, but never raise
his head to their greetings. Reachir
the hut he pushed the door open an
stumbled in. Bob hadn't returned IN
things were still unpackedD; he toe
r long time to say goodby to b
friends.
Sam dropped into chair, Al
stared hard at the door-then
, jumped up and rummaged in the loo
er for something and returned to II
Q table with a dirty piece of paper al
. little stump Of a pencil.
}. He sat down and then, with b
: great heart like lump OF lead, wro'
in a very illegible hand:
Dear Beauty-Your sure ter
knocked when yer see this. but you
y be glad. We tossed fair and squa
. for the gal. and l won. WE'LL we
y a fool ter think that gal would II
y me in pref. ter you. Anyway. so
found out my mistake. 80 I'm 60
>. instead Of you.
u Heterogeneous were that II o
had Lii, the other had the nugget
e SO being. it belongs ter me, but al
goint ter take it--you'd ave ter vi
a time fore yer found another-p'ra
never-I don't want It. Yer stay
= go.
u Still always yer mate and pard,
IL Ugly Sam
!, Leaving this scrawl upon the tai
~ Sam put a few belongings into
:, bundle and went outstanding
n door.
= AS he threw the bundle over
" shoulder he noticed the little yell
flower in his buttonhole. He took
out and threw it away. lit his p
:. and turned his back on Sleepy Car
Mainly About People.