The Democratic advocate., 1907-12-13
Selett Stnrp.
AN ARKANSAS GOLD MINE.
BY FRANCIS JAMES.

Christmas in 1865 was only one week in
the future, and | was preparing for the
enjoyment of the event, the first one [ had
spent at home in five years. My antici-
patton Of what was in store for me, founded
upon the memories of Christmas at home
in my boyhood days, was sharpened to the
keenest edge, for my four year service in
the Confederate army had taken me far
from my Kentucky home into military
camps, where our attempts to celebrate
the birth of a Redeemer were only poor
farce at best
was disturbed in the midst of my fas-
cinating dream, by the entrance of my
father, who, with a troubled look on his
handsome face, and formidable letter in
his hand, speedily wrecked my schemes
for Christmas happiness, by hurrying me
away on an errand of pressing business to-
wards the pine forests of Arkansas, where
some important affairs demanded immedi-
ate personal attention.
When I landed at Memphis, | was dis
appointed that no railway, or public con-
veyance of any kind traversed the wild
and unfre4uented part of Arkansas to
which | was going.
By the advice of soldier friend whom
| met by fortunate chance, purchased
horse, saddle and bride, and a pair of
saddle bags into which [ packed away my
business papers, my revolver, such cloth
ing as | could carry, not forgetting the
pipe and tobacco which were to be my only
consolation OH the long journey, and, with
few hints as to my course, nightly stop
ping places, ETC., from the same friend, l
set out alone on the morning of the twenty
third | crossed the broad Mississippi in
ferry boat, and turned my horses head
to the South west along well beaten road,
just as the suns rays came slanting through
the dense forests of Cypress which stood
in close ranks on either side.
II was late in the afternoon of the twen-
ty-fourth. My tired horse was walking
leisurely along the not clearly defined path,
while my thoughts were back in my Ken
lucky home, busy with the enchanting
dream of Christmas morning, now so near
at hand. The early darkening of the
wood and sky had escaped my notice as
had also the slowly rising wind which sighed
mournfully far above my head in the tops
of the resinous pines, when binding flash
of lightning, followed instantly by a tre-
mendous crash of thunder, awoke horse
and rider to lively consciousness of the
situation. Gathering up the reins in my
left hand, my horse waited for no other
summons, but dashed through the now
rapidly darkening forests in search Of a
place of shelter. | remembered that no
signs of human habitation had been seen
by me for some hours, and so pushed on
with the hope of coming upon some place
of shelter in the wood before me. My
horse refused to be guided, and l let him
have his wish, trusting to his instinct rather
than to my own greatly perturbed Judg-
ment.
He seemed to know what we needed and
where to find it, for swift gallop of five
minutes brought us out, suddenly, into an
open clearing, in the centre of which was
house built of logs, and near the rail
fence encircling it stood white man and a
negro. | addressed myself to the former,
and presented my plea for shelter for my
self and horse from the storm which threat
ened to break at every moment, but in
vain. | was fain to accept from him that
which he would give. ''Ride on half a
mile,'' said he, in hoarse tones, "and
YOU II come across a vacant house with a
stable alongside. I'll send this boy over
with bite for both of you. Better hurry
up stranger, the rains comm and that
purity quick.
The first large drops fell heavily around
us as he spoke, and tossing a piece of silver
to the negro, and thanking the white man
for his help, I galloped swiftly away. Il
seemed long half mile, and when hae
turned my painting horse into the stable,
aud myself towards the house, bearing il
my arms the saddle, bride and saddle bags
the rain was coming down like anothe
deluge. | made my way through the tall
dead weeds which surrounded the house
indicating as much as its otherwise neg
lected appearance, how total and long ha,
been its desertion.
When the negro arrived he found m
| S,on1,ncr in tho p,.I1la oc H. 49, L.