New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03

moved to and fro with that kangaroo-like move
nent which hObbling engenders
High up TO the west. three miles away and
divided from the stream by many a rugged
gulch stood the crazy DIablo ranch house it's
Whltewashed sunbathed boards cleaning
brightly through the dancing transparency. and
Tar away behind it again rose the towering
camel backed mountain, the largest OF all the
/ threat ening fantastic volcanic monsters which
completely surrounded the landscape Not a
Tree was visible; not patch of accommodating
but a cherries, sun cracked, broken waste Of
powder streWn, reddish soil, with here and there
a sapless, blackened shrub, or q patch of dull
gray brushWood, or the CLEAN on the bones of
long dead beast, the sheen on a swollen
moe yet TO be picked by yonder carrion birds.
In the bed Of the stream a man had been
working since early morning, a squat bald
headed little man with baby face, and a equity
foot swathed up in a hOrseCloth Hour after
hour he labOred on while the sun beat hotIv
down on his hatiess Uranium, and the perspira-
ton stTeamed from his face and stood out in
BEADS on his flannel shirt He was extremely
tat, and pantingly talked to himself as he
worked his talk consisting in the constant repe-
luton or the two sentences, Poor old WiTliei
Two to one on Unky. Go it," and Bust my
corporation"
The stream had been damned some wards above
him. the accelerated current had been conducted
10 the place where he was working. and his
labor consisted in filling a large iron basin with
red soil dug from the banks of the stream bed
and swaying it gently TO and fro with an even
rocking motion until all the soil was washed
aWay-a process of continuous exertion which
would have been arduous to accliInatized
athlete which was marvellous as performed by
fat, equity little Unky Broncer.
1t was plain from his frantic exertion that he
was working against time, and as the day wore
on the intensity of his fatigue wrote itself ever
palmer on his guileless anxious face, and his
talk dwinded away into the endless repetition
Of the one Worthwhile. Willie. Willie.
AT last, when the banks of the stream had
been punctured in a hundred places by his
miniature excavations, and the buckskin bag
which hung at his waist beginning to bulge
with knobs and fragments picked eagerly from
the basin, the sun sank behind the surrounding
hills and the fever mist gathered thick over
the streamlet. Then Unky Broncer dropped his
tools, and, picking up a gardeners line began
to measure out square to include all his work
lngs. Twice before this task was completed the
little man laid himself prone the warm red
earth and painted like a distressed hound while
the bandaged foot was held beneath the falling
stream. once, in sheer WEAKNESS. he toppled
weakly into one of the pits which he had dug
and tioundered there for a while like a crab on
its back. But the square was duly measured
ana its corners marked by heaps of stones, and.
having picked up the line. Unky Broncer imped
Wearily to the tent
on q cot inside the tent a man was lying NUT
terinS to himself and ceaselessy chewing the
blanket which partially covered him. Up TO the
cot the laborer strobe and taking the sufferers
burning hand, cried eXUltingly. Willie my boy.
old Unky.s done it,; but, gaining no answer.
he stopped low and whispered fearfuIIy:
Home, Willie, home at last. Ny God! Willie
Home nome. Never again: never again.
It's gold! Gold! l tell you. Let me 90, Unky
Uuky"
Rrouoer left the dusk enshrouded bed. and.
having lit stable lamp returned again TO gaze
long and earnestly on the sick mans face with
uHspeakaLIe dread il his own. Then. putting
down the lantern, he filled q capsule with qui-
nine. and tsnterly raising the loliuE bald head.
said is the pain very bad2 Here. take TINS.
That's right Can you eat some beans? lis
only Cuky 90
But the sick man. feebIy shaking his head
dropped TO the pillow again, and fixing his eyes
yacantly on the tent roof beat with his hands
the cot
Leaving his side. the brother quietly busted
himself in preparation for the Tuorrow's depart
ure. Not tremor in his voice betrayed the
patient, hopeless suffering which his face ex-
pressed a. he chatt-d blithely on Of the home
coming in store, and the well loved faces so
soon to be seen again; and as he worked. IN
consciously gripping each thing he touched with
the fun force OF his hands, his eyes ever wan
dered 10 q species Of altar by the side Of his
brothers. cot consisting OF j packing barrel
round the top OF which mantelpiece border
once, no doubt, masterpiece Of feminine
achievement, but faded and tattered. had
been ruthlessly nailed, and which
throned the single photograph OF n girl. whose
trusting steadfast eyes followed his regarding
gaze no matter whence directed, and always
his eyes met hers q food OF hopeless bitterness
seemed 70 shine from their depths. and the lines
seemed to deepen round his mouth
Often he went to the cot. and smoothing the
pillow with womanly tenderness, holding
water to the dried-up lips. said:
Home. Willie home! Curse the darkness,
Dear old WillieH
once he shook some OF the contents OF the
bag at his waist into his wide brmmed hat
and eagerly held il before the sufferers eyes;
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