St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-02-11

face. grief stricken, but resoute and
often gentle as a woman's, will not
leave me or let me rest in peace.
The note Of thanks he sent me was
entirely characteristic. There were no
heroics, much less pining or self pity.
1t was simple and manly, not ignoring
the pain, but making much of the JOY.
And then they had their work to do.
That note, so clear, so manly, so nobly
sensible, stiffens my back yet at times,
In the spring came the startling news
that Black Rock would soon be no
more. The mines were to close down
on April 1. The company, having al
lured the confding public with entic-
ing descriptions of marvellous drifts,
veins, assays and prospects and having
expended vast sums Of the public's
money in developing the mines till the
assurance of their reliability was alb
solutely final, calmly shut down and
vanished. With their vanishing van
ishes Black Rock, not without loss and
much deep cursing on the part of the
men brought some hundreds Of miles
to aid the company in its extraordina-
nv and wholly inexplicable game.
Personally it grieved me to think
that my plan Of returning to Black
Rock could never be carried out. 1t
was a great compensation, however,
that the three men most representative
to me of that life were soon to visit
me actually in my own home and den.
Graeme's letter said that in one month
they might be expected to appear. AT
least he and Nelson were soon to come,
and Craig would soon follow.
On receiving the great news | at once
looked up young Nelson and his sister,
and we proceeded to celebrate the joy
full prospect with specially good din
ner. | found the greatest delight In
picturing the JOY and pride of the old
man in his children, whom he had not
seen for fifteen or sixteen years. The
mother had died some five years be
FORE Then the farm was sold, and the
brother and sister came into the city
and any father might be proud of them
The son was we'll made young fellow
handsome enough, thoughtful and solid
looking. The girl reminded me of hel
father. The same resolution was seer
in mouth and jaw, and the same pas
sion slumbered in the dark gray eyes
She was not beautiful, but she carried
herself well, and one would always
look at her twice. 1t would be wortl
something to see the meeting between
father and daughter.
But fate, the greatest artist Of us all
takes little count of the careful draw
ing and the bright coloring of our fan
cy's pictures, but with rude hand de
ranges all and with one swift SWEEP
paints out the bright and paints in tn
dark, and this trick he served me whel
one June night, after long and anXiou
waiting for some word from the west
my door suddenly opened and Graem
walked in upon me like a specter, gra
and voiceless. My shout of WELDON
was choked back by the look in hi
face, and could only gaze at him an
wait for his word. He gripped m
hand, tried to speak, but failed to max
words come.
"Sit down, old man." said, pushin
him into my chair, land take you
time"
He obeyed, looking up at me wit
burning, sleepless eyes. My heart wa
sore for his misery, and said: Don
mind, old chap. 1t can't be so awful
bad. You're here safe and sound q
any rate" And so | went on to Civ
him time, but he shuddered and locke
round and groaned.
'Now, look here, Graeme, let's hay
it. When did you land here? Wher
is Nelson? Why didn't you bring hill
up"
Gle is at the station in his coffin,
he answered slowly.
'In his cotfin?" l echoed, my beaut
full pictures all vanishing. "How wa
it,"
Through my cursed folly" he groar
ed bitterly.
"What happened" I asked
But, ignoring my question, he sale
IT must see his children. | have nc
slept for four nights. l hardly knoy
what l am doing, but l can't rest til
| see his children. / promised hin
Get them for me-"
Tomorrow will do. Go to sleep nov
and we shall arrange everything tt
morrow" l urged.
mo-" he said fiercely; tonight, now!
In half an hour they were listenin!
pale and grief stricken, to the story {
their fathers death.
Poor Graeme was relentless in h
self condemnation as he told hoy
through his "cursed folly" old Nelso
was killed. The three-Craig, Graen
and Nelson-had come as far as Wet
t ria together. There they left Graf
| and came on to San Francisco. In q
r evil hour Graeme met a companion
l other and evil days, and it was NJ
, long till the old fever came upon him.
: In vain Nelson warned and pleade,
! The reaction from the monotony ar
r poverty Of camp life to the excitemel
e and luxury of the San Francisco gar