Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-15
HOW CY EATON MADE HIS PILE
By ARTHUR L. RESERVE

such force upon the table as to cause the glasses to jump about:
 How was it that you made your for tune so quick, Cy.? If thought stood a ghost of a chance, I would be off to- morrow"
 All of us gazed up into the face of our host as our friend said this, and almost held our breath, as we waited for his an- swer.
 We knew that he had gone to Cali fornia a poor man, and that in less than two years he had returned with an abundant store of the yellow dust How he had obtained so much in so short time, none of us had ever learned.
 Perhaps you would not care to go through so much as have, even to make your pile" said our host, quietly.
 T will go through anything" was the answer. Nothing short of death should stop me-
 But I endured that, In fact, was dead and buried,"
 Dead and buried?" we all repeated, in breath
 Yes
 How could that be-" we said again.
 Our host threw open his shirt front, and upon his breast we saw the liyid marks of knife.
 The scar was just above his heart, and it seemed wonder how he could have received it, and still be alive to tell us the story.
 We expressed our surprise both by looks and words.
 You want to know how it was that I made my pile so quick. We'll, it isn't often that I tell the story, but I will do so tonight to please you You have seen the scar left by the wound which sent me to my grave; for. boys. I was buried once. as surely as we all expect to be.
 You all know that when I went to California I was as poor as a church mouse. 1 had all that could do to pro- cure my outfit and get the money with which to pay my passage But man. aged to get there at last. and for time, even then, it did seem as though was doomed to bad luck. Everything tried failed to prosper with me, and at last l went to, the mines. There. for time, my luck was little, if any, better. My claim proved to be worthless, and after a time I abandoned it, and, in company with Bill Harris and Seth Grant, set off on a tour of exploration among the mountains. I knew that people had made grand strike in discovering new placers. and told the boys that l did not see why it might not be our luck to do the same. They were of the same mind. and for a couple of weeks we toiled and hunted among the noun tains. but all to no purpose. Our provi- sions by this time were running short. and in little time knew that We should be obliged to return to the settlement
 ''One day we set out upon our explora- tion as usual. Toward noon we became separated. and I found myself alone among the rocks that overhung a deep canyon. at the bottom of which flowed a wild mountain stream. It was noth- ing new for us to separate in this way, but we had an understanding that we were to meet at nightfall at a stated point ahead.
 For couple of hours toiled onward, using my pick here and there, wherever l thought there might be a chance to find the yellow dust. Tired at last with my tramp, threw myself down in the shadow of rock not far from the edge of the canyon. Stretched out at full length upon the earth. lay musing upon the hard luck that had followed me thither. Like the old man of the sea that clung to the shoulders of Sinbad, could not throw 1t oh.
 Lying there full of these thoughts, my eyes wandered about the spot. and noticed. little way of. sort of fun nel-shaped hole in the rock. It did not interest me very much. for I had seen many such in that section. Why speak of it here. you will soon know.
 Tired with my days tramp, at last fell into that drowsy condition which is half sleep and half awake. From it I was startled by the sound of footsteps close beside me. Opening my eyes, saw. standing beside me. three as vii. lainous-looking Mexicans as ever be. held.
 T knew in a minute it was no slight danger that threatened me. and st- tempted hastily to spring to my feet It was a signal for the eowardly villains to strike. and one of them aimed blow at me with his knife. You have seen where it struck.
 T sank back upon the earth. with the blood pouring from the wound. and a terrible faintness at my heart But. al- though lying motionIsss as if dead, was conscious of all that was passing about me.
 In few moments they had rifed my pockets of the little they contained. and then appeared to hold short eonsuIta- ton. could not understand their talk. but it did not last long. Raising me in their arms. they bore me toward the hole in the rocks of which have spoken
 A feeble thrill shot through my heart They were going abury me there. that no trace Of their crime might De discov- cred.
 Twas as helpless as one dezd-zs. per- haps. they thought me
 Another moment. and vas shoot ing down. down into my tomb Then all was a blank.
 The nsxt thing I remember was q