New-York tribune., 1910-02-27

posed calcite and clung tenaciously as Meehlns
wrenched with his powerful arms at the handle
With a sudden loosening the pick broke away,
carrying with it a slab of calcite. the snap OF the
strain throwing Red on his back The mourn
ers found it difficult to resist a smile OF glee at
Reds mishap.
The latter scrambled to his feet. grurnbling at
the cussedness of rock, and stood ewing Grossly
the part he had uncovered Suddenly he
stopped and ran his hand over the spot: then
in feverish eagerness with his hat he brushed
away the debris of earth Holy smoke, Pc
Loo" he cried exCitedlv next instant, Here s
a solid vein of silver, four inches of itt It's a
strike | tell youl"
In his excitement Red had forgotten. for the
instant. his solemn occupation OF grave digger
he was oblivious to everything but the delicate
gray metal OF precious worth that spoke OF
riches.
1t wasn't in human miners nature to resist
the call of a strike and, shameful to relate, the
men who a minute before had stood in dejec
ton about the shallow pit now hoped eagerly
into its hollow, like boys sCramblIng for hand
full of tossed pennies. Meek1ns. as author of
this discovery. stood back wiping the perspIra-
ton from his forehead, listening to the enthu-
sastic confirmation of his announcement. He
was the first to remember the somewhat sac
r1legiouS divergence
Gen 'lemen'' he said, with impressive so
lemnity there's a lady present, and "a
Red checked his utterance, and COughed apollo
getically. he had been going to say "a body
facedly by the others.
Things is kinder diff rent" Peloo said
Were terrible sorry, Mrs. Hanson. that the
depositin' of Your late husband Is not so agree
able as it should Orter be-"
oh. please do-dO- | don't blame YOU.
1t can't be helped: but"
p ED spoke up in relief to the agitated widow.
AS Peloo said, lady, You best come along
with me back to the hotel" He turned to the
group of men. Sos to prevent any misunder
standin' over this strike an our neglected
dooty, this claim was staked on my permit. all
legal an accOrdin' TO law, an also guess m
the man that made the strike
Red was interrupted by hustle of dlScOn-
tent, cough or two from the men; even PelOo
turned and looked at him half angrily- But he
continued in an uneventful voice:
What was goin' to say is, said stakin was
done for Mrs Hanson, an that goes This
claim, an all the silver therein, belongs TO the
lady as has met with so much sorrer. Genie
men jus ask you to agree to that as wit
neSSeS.
Peloo held out his big paw. saying. Shake.
Redl' He was followed by the others. each one
graSping Reds hand in solemn appreciation
The transfer papers'u all be made out
proper an accordin' to law, an the claim1l be
recorded in due course" Red added with a
great burst of technical expression.
The widow, overcome by the strain of wait
ing and this sudden alleviating good fortune
burst into tears. Peloo nodded to Red and
then down the hill. and Meekins. going awk-
wardly up to Mrs. Hanson said with rough ten
derneSs
Il guess we'd best get back to the hotel
You're mighty tired
The group of men watched the two 90
slowly down the hill on the little trail. and pres
emily PelOO spoke. Well. fellers, we got 10
finish this job. Reds-well. Red was always
square; this don't count nothin'. An as for
the husband here. l guess it's about the fu'st
an las time that he ever done that little lady
a good turn