Evening journal., 1914-12-01
CHAPTER l.
w search Of Gold

W ODAFSU " A~tes
%7rRANGE things breed in the
IS deserts OF southern California
/ .,zEl.sEz some Of them beautiful,
some Of them symbolic Of
endless and terrible thirst
There are three thirsts in this world;
That for wealth; the one for life; great
ast Of all, the thirst for love.
The first and the last expression Of
our civilization is the locked door, and
from the time the primal carpenter
laid down his tools and went within
his rude house the door has stood for
ALL time a defense and an opportunity.
In the long vista of life we find many
locked doors and gates-doors to hap
piness, to life and to love.
Fancy to yourselves thirsty men
knocking with scared knuclSles on
these doors. Then realize that sooner
or later experience tells them that they
cannot enter without a key. who
holds the master key to all these lock-
ed doorsr we cry.
This was the silent question in the
hearts Of two men, wearily struggling
through the sage brush toward the
sharp ridges OF the San Jacinto noun
tains in southern California.
Il wonder" said Thomas Gallon, fin-
gering his prospector's guide, whether
we win find that gold--the gold the
Indians told us about Yes. l must
find that gold"
"You don't seem to realize that you
have partner" snarled Wilkerson.
You are always talking about Ill
/ Haven't got share In this? Haven't
dug up money? And yet you don't
seem to think that I've any concern in
this matter"
Excuse me. partner" said the other
man. fixing his dim gaze ON the noun
tain I'm always thinking Of that girl
Of mine You know she's in school, and
she's got to have a good education, and
I've got to work to pay for it. Excuse
me. partner; you know / did not mean
II that way. but when 7 remember her
mother He broke or abruptly. and
both men stopped.
~Her motherY' asked wilkerson.
~Yes, her mother" choked Gallon.
''rhe girl deserves the best there is in
this world. I'm all she's got, and, by
heavens"-he shook his fist toward
the distant blue hills-"she shall have
II II have 10 tear that mountain apart
with my finger nails"
well" said Wilkerson impatiently,
Tets camp. I'm thirsty
They stopped IN the shade OF the fal.
ow plume OF the Yucca and made theiI
little IRE for coffee. but before tbs
blaze was well started wnkersor
picked up the water bag and took 4
long drink. His companion suddenly
flashed IN anger.
Say, partner" be said sternly. ''tha
water has 10 last Us clear to the noun
tninB7
Wnkersou flung bis head back anl
laughed why worry1 Don't you se
the snow there on San Jscinto peak
That means creeks down every ravin
! and gulch-
instantly Gallons eyes duned n
seeEed 70 once more subside into
dream
There's where they said the Foh
4 was." be muttered In one Of ther
gulchsz up there. Goidi Goidi SAY
wilkerson. wen &c. sAst gold. bur "
must save the water. I didn-t mea
any harm. partner. for ealing 20
down for drinking that water. but I'v
got 10 get that gold"
Wlkers0n once more reached for ~
& water and took long draft
4 guess this VIII last till we resc
those foothlis.~ be said But bis coz
penion pad DO attention % him. sto
IDLY preparing their slender meal .
coffee and beans.
when they had eaten Gallon brusoul
" motioned 70 WfkersOn 20 clean o
the camp and then silently started q
the gulch
Il never heard Of finding gold b
moonlight his partner muttered I
simself let the old man dig sroun
n he wants to-" And immedisteiy one
more he yielded 70 bis physical desire
this time for sleep.
Gallon steadily trudged around n
oiun. following the stream as best /
could until be knew that he was abs