Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1907-11-21
THE BUILDERS
By Willis Co. EmrSon,
Author of "BWeu Hampton" and
"The Smoky God"

"I think, sub, that within three
months we can reach the four-hun-
dred-foot level. I told you before
that the Shonbar was a sure winner
and am proud, sub, to repeat the
statement to you. Friendship, "
he went on, enthusiastically, els
the smblimest of joys, the one in
destructible quality which survives
the ravages of time and lives and
flourishes beyond the grave, and
you, sub, have inherited the quality
from your father in generous meas
use; you are certainly, sub, a
true friend. "
"Of COURSE, no one knows,
said Fred, " whether you will
strike it at the four-hundred-fo
level or not, but I assure you, MIR.
billiard, that l have every Faith
in your sincerity, and am eager to
develop the mine as rapidly as pos
sible If my investment proves.
total loss | will never hold you re-
sponsible Forget the dark days
put them from you as plague.
Like the sun-dial enter into life s
log-book only the sunshiny hours.
Be optimistic, and live to be old,
is my motto
I'm gettin along in years Mr..
Rockwell, and there are three quail
ties which belong only to strong
men-strong both morally and in
telelctually - these qualities are
energy, perseverance, and honesty.
While | have not yet struck it,
still | have every confidence, sub,
that we shall strike it if we stay
by the Shonbar
My little Ruth was sorry. of
course, like myself. We both
feared you would be very much
chagrined, and I assure you, sub,
we cared a great deal more about
youn feelins than we did about
our own 70 tell you the truth, sub,
that little girl of mine had more
faith in your lookin' at this mat
ter philosophicaly. than | did, but,
he continued, pressing Fred S hand
again, 81 misjudged you, Mr.,
Rockwell, did, sub, indeed, sub,
and | apologize for it y
" w.ll admit, Mr. billiard, that
| am somwihat detected, and of
course you are, but every failure
has its compensation, and this one
may have. What do you advise
under the circumstances?
"You honor me, sub; indeed you
do, Mr.. Rockwell by askin' my adj
vice, although | know it is good,
and | admire a man who will lis
ten to reason. Whether you, Mr..
Rockwell, will so regard, it remains
to be seen If you can furnish
about four thousand dollars more
money, we will start tomorrow
mawnin' for the four-hundred-foo
level, and we vii then cross-cut
sub, into vein of powerful rich
ore. | assure you, sub, L never was
more sincere in my life than l
am in maxim this statement
Fred possessed all of the conf
dence of youth and good health,
and his belief in the outcome of the
Shonbar was far from being shaken
at the first failure to find pay-ore
Then also, suddenly rose before
him, as if from a mist, the half
serious face of Ruth, and he
fancied she was asking him to still
share her fathers faith in the mine.
He hesitated and was-well, he
took his check book from his pocket
wrote a check for four thousand
dollars, and handed it to Mr.. Hill
lard, saying, in voice less harsh
harsh than dry, How long, with
your present force, Of men, will
it require to reach the four hun.
dred-foot levelY"
"My dear Mr.. Rockwell" said
Mr.. billiard, looking carefully at
the check as he accepted it, and
then clasping Fred's hand, you
quite overpower me, you do in
deed sub A great man does quick
ly and graciously things that can
only be done opportunely not ONLY
this, but he does them, sub, with
courtly kindnes, and without dis
play; and while you may have been
born in. the Nawth, you are still a
true Virginian at heart, and with
the warm blood of the South cou g