Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-12-23
An Old Time California Burglar.

In the fall of 1919, Mr.. Andrew jackson
Larson sailed out of Boston harbor for
the gold mines of California.
The first day out the handle Of his name
was knocked off, for this bright and hand
some boy was working his way on sail
ing ship around Cape Horn, and sea cap
tains of those days had no time to waste
on long names. He was only Larson after
he left land and his visiting card behind
him.
On landing in San Francisco, Mr.. An
drew jackson Larson of Boston, Mass,
was taken down with the smallpox. The
poor fellow left the hospital without a dol
lar or friend, and with hardly spare
garment. Still he was stout of heart,
brave and determined boy, as were ten
thousand others of those times who were
trying to make a little fortune for the
dear ones at home, and he did not falter
The day after leaving the hospital, with
his pale, thin face all in dots and spots
he engaged to work his passage up the
Sacramento river to the mines
What is your manner" demanded the
gruff captain with a green patch on his
right eye and a silver mounted siX-shooter
in his belt.
Andrew Jackson Larson, SIR" said the
pale young man with the spots and dots
on his face
Hey? Well. Mr. Andrew jackson Laza-
rus" roared the captain, take that coal
shovel and report to the mate, and be
quick about it, too"
And so Lazarus became his name
Lazarus, and Lazarus only, for soon the
other parts of his name were again rub
bed off.
When young Larson reached the gold
mines he found there had been a great
stampede for mines said to be of fabulous
richness farther on over the mountains.
All along the banks of the little gold-bear-
ing river he saw deserted cabins, the
latch string hanging out ready for any
who chose to enter and take possession.
A good custom was this in the old days.
Let a party of gold hunters, game hunt
ers. or even hunters after health, go into
the mountains and build a cabin for the
season. care was always taken to leave
it neat and clean and ready for the first
poor wayfarer who might pass that way.
Larson pushed far up the stream as
his legs would take him the first day.
Near the head of the placer mines he
found cabin with the rickety door wide
open. He entered and took possession.
A fine stream of water rippled and ran
through the messy boulders under the
great, sweeping pine and fir and yew trees.
The place was so still that the young man
could hear his heart beat as he stood on
the earthen floor before the huge fire.
place and looked about. In one corner
was battered old rocker, a shovel. pick.
and a few other tools. In the southwest
corner arose a tier of "bunks," not I'M
like the berths of a ship in arrangement.
In each bunk was spread thick layer of
fir and pine boughs. which gave out a
pleasant odor. But on the topmost bunk.
best of ALL the thoughtful miners, on 60
ing away. had thrown their rough, outer
clothing as well as some empty flour
sacks gunny bags. and so on.
Larson hastily climbed up to this top
N-k hVtpl IL t..er q. N.
lower hunks as if mounting ladder, and
the poor fellow soon had a fairly COM
Portable bed arranged on top of the fra
grant boughs. Then he descended struck
a match, and from the pine quilts and
pine knots to be had at the door for the
picking up. he built fire so bright that II
lit up the laughing little stream through
the open door.
He went out washed his hands and face
in the cool water. took a refreshing drink
returned to his cabin, closed the door. and
dined heartily on cookies and cheese
which the gruff but kind old captain had
made him put in his pocket on leaving the
boat.
Our young gold hunter slept soundly
He was now IAN honest miner" with
cabin bunk. tools. claim,-all things, In
deed. but gold Was the gold there in the
ground, down on the bed rock deep under
the big messy boulders? He would soor
see
With sleeves rolled above his elbows
and with bare feet he wrought and he
wrestled till nearly shutdown. Not g
color" although he struck the hard, blue
bed rock In many places. that first day.
He climbed out of his claim, very tired
and hungry. but not dsheartened. The
water had sung pleasantly to him all day
Beautiful wild flowers had leaned ou
from the bank. as If to comfort him II
his solitude. The great solemn pines sans
their mighty monotone in the warm wind.
of the Sierras high over his head. and Il
made him think pleasantly of the pin,
woods of home.
He had passed by a small grocery stor,
the evening before. a mile or so down tn,
stream. Thither he now returned, aftel
arranging his tattered raiment as best h,
might, and laid his case before the beard
ed Missourian who kept the "store." A!
the Missourian was both kind and anxious
to see work resumed at the deserted dig
gings, he readily let Larson have "or
tick" what he timidly asked fora cod
fish and two pounds of crackers
Next day the same song of the pines
the same sweet flowers leaning from tn,
banks of the tumbling little stream. tn,
same strenuous toll. too,-but not a colo
of gold
The lad was growing dizzy as he leaned
over to strike a few last blows in thu
depths of a crevice of the bed rock whic1
he had been following all day withou