The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-11
VIVA. Else Did IL pureb,
HIS FORTUNE
BY cLARIssA MAckIE.

Bees Purdy and her father watched the four young
men ride away from the house and then their eyes
II do hope they'll make strike this time. dad
said Bess earnestly Jim said they to ride away
each one prospecting for himself Seems as If they
hadn't had much tuck SO far this year Ia.
ing down the steps and filling his pipe; but they're
all young, honey-and you don't find gold every day
Mostly. find 1t just in all your prospecting
Perhaps this will be the one day for each OF them,
hair Dad you're pos. ut growing mop Old
Mr. Purdy laughed the low runpling bass notes that
mig daughter loved to hear.
make my hair white snow, he remarked ruefuly
What is it, father? Something is worrying and
you have not told met Bess dropped down on her
knees beside her father and lifted HIS chin in one brown
little hand Look me in the eyes dad she COM
Mr. Purdy turned mirthful gray eyes upon hers,
like his I'm lookng-eh?"
What is the natter"
lips looked into the bowl. then he squnted down
the stem, and finally knocked the contents out and
dropped the pipe in his pocket with air of deter
mnation.
You those four chaps ride away, Bess?" he
Yes" said the girl with interest.
Bill Melvin Owen Ransom. Bert Clayton and Jim
my Alvn-four nice fellows into the
gold country to seek their fostunes~eh?e
Yes" Bess blushing family but her clear
glance still held her fathers gray eyes
Well last night, one time or another. every dad
blamed of those boys and asked if--if-"
He paused and looked away down The crooked street
of the little mining town, and this time Bess did not
say anything but the flush her cheek grew deeper
Every one OF those boys came and asked me II he
could come and court my aug he made
There little silence and then Bess asked faint
ly, What did you say, dad?'
II said they could come whether they'd made their
fortunes not-and that didn't know what your
mind was about and that they better run ahead and
They all asked you that question ida dad?
isbut it's of the four-eh?"
Purdy sighed and got upon his feet, 81 reckon
it'll be Bert cayton-he's handsome rascal and has
rare good luck at everything"
Bess made repY turned and into the house
and up to her little with shining and hot
Several weeks passed slowly while the hot
poured down out of brassy sky and the little town
bstered under the scorchng blaze John Purdy, down
in the assay Office thought of the four young men grub
bling hopeessy around Rattesnake Mountan-its
SCARED hisdes had been vainy prospected for years
What would these youths get out OF the burning
ground bitter suffering and anted harsh expef
fences? II was curious s1tuation--four OF them
friends and all sutors for Bess Purdys little brown
hand!
Bess. working away her household tasks In the
motheress home grew more dreamy-eyed and wistfu
And then one night after supper when the whole
town Rasping upon the doorsteps, a. messenger
whiried madly down the main street on dripping
pony
"A strike-a strike'" from Lip to lip and then
learned that the prospectors had indeed struck
gold in Rattlesnake Mountain
happened, They all four working at different
clean through the mountain: the other fellow
didn't get blamed thing for his digging! related the
Il reckon the other chaps will let the unlucky fellow
in on the claim remarked ,s pprdy easuay 1t.
exciting journey the street Il didn't ask which
he here tomorrow, Purdy, with some stuff for to
assay"
last the girl spoke Il wonder who it was-the
who didn't find anything" she murmured half to
was asking myself that question: said Mr.. Purdy
The next day, Just John Purdy reached his house
at dinner time. there the sound OF hoof- beats
he -shuttered door and quite three
young gallop to the porch and greet her father
There were Bill Melvin and owen Ransom and Bert
Clayton-but the fourth, where was he9 Bess leaned
The talking fast-all together-and John
purdy was asking sharp pointed questions resardps
samples OF ore they displayed
where's Jimmy Alvin he asked tersey.
The three looked at each other and Clayton pointed
a thumb in the direction from which they had come
pectnr in an injured "he just iocat-
ing the claim the Of us-but just because he
didn't happen scratch pay dirt and did. he won't
tourt s a t,s "a he aiony Later We aranaa Win h
TN he started to tight the crowd and so we came
.He's right boys" said Purdy gravely you three
made the strike-thats all sauare-and it belongs to
YOU just guess Alvn's unlucky Maybe he'll strike
"He says he's going back home and settle down
in the grocery business alongside OF his dad remark
pectors moved reluctantly away he called back over his
rades II hope Miss Bess is well. Mr.. Purdy"
eFfrst ratethank you" said Purdy, watching then,
ride down the street with a broodtng look In his
He st gazing when his daughters white
pony pounded around the side OF the house and
his back Bess her face pale under tapping
Dinners all ready for you. father. I'll be home by
and by-I'm boing after--Jim!"
She few up the street and his eyes followed the
cloud OF dust in her wake until horse and rider blurred
into the gray trail II knew it," he muttered with IA
satisfied smile. u knew Jfmmy-and he's the
cream OF a good lott"
Later. the assay office John Purdy reported ON
samples of ore that the prospectors had brought
in.
You're rich men--every one OF you, boys. Here's
hand t-you deserve all of it," he said heart
lily.
I wish you could argue with Jim and make him
come in this-there's him being poor"
Said Melvin
Jim Avin's made luckier strike than any you.
boys" said Purdy cody. Hes the richest in
town this minute!"
.IIow? When?" they demanded eagerly
sTIook!" said Purdy pointing out OF the window
Coming down the street the heads Of their ponies