The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-06-06

Il shouldn't be surprised II he done
something for you" said Mrs. Pack.
man, my~steriously. He told me par
ticuldr to tell you to go down to the
Dragon as 0 as you'd done your
supper. as he'd something to say"
I'll go" said Bert, pushing his
empty plate away. But IL he thinks
he'll get anything out of me he's mis-
took. He's had nine-and-six already.
and IL he don't offer to return it I'll
show him up afore 'em all"
The bar parlor was full when Bert
entered it. but he found a chair had
been kept for him. He had hardly
seated himself before his uncle rose
and, having secured attention by or
dering drinks round addressed the
company.
MY friends" he began, when I
made up my mind to return to dear
old England | said to myself will not
write to the old folks at home and say
I'm coming; I'll just drop in and see
how they will receive the prodigal.
Gentlemen, the welcome my nephew
gave me to his home came from his
kind heart. He did not know whether
| was rich or poor, pauper or million
aire. l was his uncle, that was
enough"
Everyone turned and stared at Bert,
who shifted ~uneasily in his seat.
Il have here" continued Uncle
Henry, producing from his pocket four
| small UaIInU tpn,no E'snuaA pnUpnfl
from the celebrated Doemall mine.
which I discovered, and should like.
in this room in which | first met him.
to present to my dear nephew, Bert,
one of these nuggets in remembrance
Of my homecoming"
He held up one OF the Jumps for all
to see.
1T is only worth about G100, but
as he wears it on his watch chain it
will at least remind him OF his poor
old uncle"
The rest Of the evening was a con
fused dream to Bert, and 1t was not
until he awoke the next morning and
drew the nugget from under his pillow
that he was fully assured t was really
a fact.
Shall you yea it on your chain.
Bert?" asked Mrs. Packman as they
gazed at it in the cold morning light
mo fear. I'll take it round to a
goldsmith's | know in Cheapside first
thing when | get there, and sell it, and
I'll telegraph to you what he gives"
AS Bert prepared to start for the
city his uncle drew him aside.
Il find | have no ready left" he
said, land as l have to meet my part.
ner in the mine to-day, il you could
let me have a couple of auid | should
be obliged. l could raise money on
these other nuggets, of course, but I
don't want to part with them. Thanks.
Bert, you won't regret it, for you
haven't heard the last OF your old
uncle yet. Good-by, my boy"
Some three hours later, in a back
room in Bloomsbury, Uncle Henry
was shaking hands with his partner.
a sharp-featured, clean-shayen man
with shifty eyes.
We'll, old pard." said Uncle Henry.
and how's the show going? Is our
mug hooked?"
Not quite; but I think he'll bite all
right. i've nad a lot OF trouble with
him though. | pitched him the usual
yarn about u having to keep the
mine a secret, and of course he
thought we'd pinched the Jumps and
that he's got a fancy strike. as we
| on,,IInbt nnakA a F,tc- ~ hn Mold M, half
value"
That's good" chuckled Uncle
Henry.
Yes. but I had to part with that
small specimen for a flyer, which
meant a clear ten for him, d-n him.
However, l reckon it's all right now.
He's { be here at two o'clock to meet
my partner and make a bid for the
rest OF our specimens. He insisted on
selecting one to be tested by a pal Of
his, who is a jeweler in oxford street,
but I'll see to it that it's the real one
he chooses and then we'll just bang
the buffers into him and clear"
I've given one of EN- away" said
Uncle Henry, with a grin.
Given it away, Joe?" said his part.
ner sharply. What's your httls
game?"
Couldn't help it," said Uncle
Henry. exploding into a oar Of laugh
ter. Best joke I've had for years and
besides l lived on it for a fortnight
and drew two quid this morning to
finish up with. Not a bad return on
a tuppeny ha'penny lump of gilded
lead Ell? Il vas this way" and the
fimfamming OF Bert and his wife was
soon described.
Here are the Jumps" said uncle
when he had recovered sufficiently to
speak, and he threw a parcel across
the table. The partner undiG the par.
eel and picked out the nuggets, but
his smile died away as he examined
them
That's a fine yarn OF yours he
said slowly, but it won't wash, my
boy. You'll just shell out at once"
Shell out? What do you mean?"
asked uncle checking himself in the