The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-04-28

lnasmuch as Lneh ,
Ian Lar, honest and true, the way would
II be found closed in their hour OF
need.
IA Il was this trust that led them
,cross ten miles of timber-ciad divide
very long way from home for
,.sm--to Mariposa Creek, of which
uugb Mccarthy, their old friend, was
.lnost sole owner, and in his way
r,ng Somewhat out of breath, they
slowly climbed the trail to the river
h,nk wherein Mccarthy stood.
Mccarthy, stocky giant with iron
1rav hair, was contentedly watching
The work below. The years had gone
veil with him. Time, knowing his
indy heart, had dealt nothing but
caresses The Ahpalino, whereon for
MANY years he had neighbored with
tbe two old partners, had yielded well,
and now for five years this new find
had added wealth and promise.
twenty men worked in the cut be-
Inv. directing great streams of water
that in the sunlight showed as streaks
of molten silver, shifting with terrific
force the red banks, uprooting stumps,
tossing boulders, and sending muddy
torrents through sluices which caught
and held the heavy gold.
A voice, ringing with the thin sweet
ness of an aged bell, high pitched,
broke in upon McCarthy's reverie:
@HoWdy, Hugh! We're lookin' for
job"
Before its echo had begun, another
voice in equal pitch of plaintiveness,
reiterated: Eyes, we're lookin' for a
Job"
Mccarthy, startled, pivoted on the
heel of his rubber boot, and in aston
ishment looked at the two old men
who, bearded, dressed, and statured
alike, had addressed him. His dark
eyes twinkled from beneath his gray
thatch of eyebrows, and his hands
came from his pockets to grasp theirs,
which they simultaneously protfered.
"Abner and Ezry, as Pm Twin" he
said, his face melting into a great
smile; land lookin' for a job! Well,
you've got it."
That was about all that was said.
The partners, like automatons pulled
by the same string, took off their
coats carefully folded and laid them
on the bank. Then they rolled their
shirtsleeves to the elbow, took prodi-
gious chews of tobacco, started their
Jaws and white boards to work, and in
i've minutes were hard at it."
The work was very old to them, be-
cause in their thirty-five years of part
nership this hao most always been
their lot. True. it was one of the first
times in all tier lives wherein they
MAD worked for wages and drawn pay
LOT the toll of their hands. Most men
would have felt, in commencing life
AL over again at seventy years, that
late had dealt harshly, but not so
win them. To them the hills and
!Orests were home, the good God in
heaven very close friend, and to
work was natural.
IN this same simple way they had
Always worked, or passed their days
VI uesert and plain, in the noun
mins depths or the forests shelter:
aau fought side by side when in
plaSe hearts lay their only hope; had
pteu the same woman when love
.ale 70 them; had together buried
slu sorroWed over her when dealn
I'erposed, and now that fortune had
turned her face were glad to be alto
se'aef in toll, where they could share
saen otDer's WEAKNESS.
Az lsht Tor any one to know how
a'efg they must have suffered in
s the quiet little cabin on the
aanpalino' with it's truck patch, it's
M, v1erS' and the little cross on the
eleath which rested their dead.
i. l tne Worked-out ground, which
~. more than twenty years had held
ho m % inc only home they had ever
-, nSsI, must have been very dear,
I sue outer world very cold.
tranu, VINO better than any one
na~ ~" tnelr Joys and sorrows. was
riv., wealthy and would have gladly
essa ~ Iem DUST enough to pave with
Hvos. ~ tne remaining days of their
peW !, out ne understood them too
70, "t' Knew that such an Of
ouu De sturdily declined.
4 ana wv w.t as ne stood ON the bank above
their S,s. them steadily handling
!, i -, s,luiee-forks and Cumming small
perDlsrns sn from the sluices, he was
est wnr,. he knew that the light
heavy A. ue mad mad to give was all too
Young ana - seventy the heart may be
Il but vont., the toil-worn handwriting
\ Thai gp'as store of strength is gone.
y FIST t,,. Jay witnessed McCarthy's
truth as.u' and he loved the
q h,t ]. Alter he had made an exonse
lrovinuss Wy might quit work earlier
Il tod then IoW tired they must be. he
cots map. IN the mess-house, 81 so had had
fvss rr ea lor them in his own cabin
ten en pretty bold. because there 1 were
though P psg. hunks. 1t only proved we'd
arrangemaan..h hugh was planning other
sshIs ,s a and when he nI,Unod
alyays b. once said: "somethins
Il Asis ~ Happened" something