The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-28

bunk in the Clubhouse, bordering over
the matter. At last he reached a de-
cision. He had spent a hard and lone
~ life. and now. al eighty. he was
quite willing to take up the threads
again.
That morning Bessie and Edwin
found a roughly scrawled note upon
the table.
Tn going. children" 1t ran. Tn
going to leave you for q while until
I've located hat quartz. or maybe a
bed Of shining nuggets in that gulch
I was speaking OF. Then I'll come
home. l guess you won't grudge me
the little bag Of -four and the matches
and blanket I'm a-taking with me-"
They stared at each other. The old
man must have been gone long since,
for when they searched the fat OF the
plains he was nowhere In sight.
"rl go after him." said Edwin.
NO." answered Bessie. Hell come
back at nightfall, when he's tired. and
maybe it'll be a lesson to him."
But nightfall arrived. and there was
no sign Of the old man. Nor on the
following morning. Bessie was now
thoroughly alarmed.
Edwin, you must go and look for
him." she said. You know which way
he went?"
Her husband nodded. ITS twelve
miles distant" he said. Il guess I
| can walk it and back by night"
Il do hope he has come to no HARM"
said Bessie. He must have heard
me when 1 said what l did. lin
sorry. dear. When he comes back
| III never lose my head again like
| that"
Meanwhile old Jim Ross was indus
triously %grubbing among the boulders
Of the gulch. He spent the entire
day there. At night he slept in the
river bed. Next morning. awakening
late. he stood up and peered out across
the plain. Some sense. long latent In
him. told him that there was another
human being approaching him.
He looked out to see a man walking
across the sand and alkali. At once q
fear came over him. This man was
coming to rob him Of his cherished
gold.
Furtive 40 q fox. he erept along the
gulch, out OF sight Of his son, whom
he had not recognized. Over his
shoulder be carried the sack full of
his precious stones. He knew that.
once clear Of the sulch bed. he could
make his way among the mountains
and be we'll on his way homew.rd be-
fore the newcomer had come upon the
place where he had been.
He chuck1ed ~ he strobe manfufty
across the plain, oblivious Of the burn
ing sur. He covered mile after mile,
borne up BY tho knowledge that for
tune, which he had evaded so long.
lay hidden in that bag. And thus he
staggered into the cabin late at night,
an hour before Bdwin's return.
Il found his tracks." cried Edwin, at
the door. But he's gone - he's
gone"
mo, he's here" answered his wife
sourly. HE played q dne trick on
US, Edwin. He's in his bunk, asleep.
In the morning I'm going to send him
back by train"
The return of Tie Gid usaa. babblns
about gold. had awakened all her re.
sentiment. Her husband Ny that 1t
would be useless to argue with her.
But in the morning Bessie's anger was
unchanged. They found old Jim seat
Ho was taking stones out Of 1t and ar
ranging them along the edge.
Well, children" he began. II reckon
the old man fooled the pair OF ye.
Thereru be no more drudging now. II
I know the value OF what I've struck
in the hills. Look at them stones!"
He held n up to Ross and indt
Gated the tiny yellow lecks among
the quartz.
1T amt much" he said, but wait
till no get our stamps up here. That'I
assay two ounces to the ton"
This is too much cried Bessie
Nov, listen. old man! I've had
enough Of this talk Of gold!"
Old Jim pulled another stone out Of
the bag and looked at 1t with twin
king eyes. It was . yellow stone
pure yellow. dull. rich, and unmistak
able, and ut least al large as
pigeons egg.
Maybe this wouldn't make ye
bracelet. honey" he said. holding 1,
up before her. Nor this" he added
pulling out another. He shook out
dozen more from the bottom Of the
bag.
: "Why-it ia gold!" shouted Edwin
IF it amt" said Jim, Il never pros
pected for it. The gulch is full O
nuggets, enough to buy our machiner,
for stamping when the alluvial's end
ed. We're rich, children. and we'll &
> back to Kansas City"
} "Father!" sobbed Bessie, kneeline
| beside him. Its yours. Take it all
We deserve none II it after the way
we treated you"
why, that's all right, honey" sale
the old man. looking at her in milo
surprise. II amt had nothing to com
: plain OF. It was the work, I reckon
: sort of put an edge on you. You see
children, a good woman's like gold
she's there. somewhere. only some
times she takes sort of-sort Of look
ing for"
:; The Modern Church.
: A professional whistler and q NOV