Year: 1859

but continually hankered after more ras-
cality,


B efore quitting my old haunts in the
city / had taken the precaution to inform
myself of the most likely plan to make a
raise of some money. A friend gave me
directions by which could find the cabin
of man who was well known to the sur
rounding country from the fabulous
amount of gold dust be was supposed to
be possessed of. Several gamblers had
previously endeavored to fleece this man,
but he had proved too wide awake for
them. Nothing daunted by this state of
affairs, commenced my journey, and af-
ter several days of fatiguing travel on
foot, (for which the luxuries of city life
had entirely untitled me- hove in sight
of the home of my intended victim.


The external appearance of this house
did not speak much in favor of the wealth
of its owner, nor was indeed the country
about it very inviting, but l cheered my
self with thoughts that these were things
of minor importance to me. My business
was with the treasure that was boarded
up there. The snail pace at which | was
travelling brought me in due time TO the
door of this hamlet, and as it was all clos
ed up, gave loud rap. A gruff voice
from within answered, come in


/ lifted the latch and pushed the ricke-
ty door back sulr ciently to allow me to


enter and in doing SO | found myself face


to face with the man was looking for


I knew him at once, from the description


my friend had given me of him.


Taking off my hat l made an awkward


bow and thus introduced myself: l have
Just arrived in these diggins, and have


been directed to your house as the most
likely one to obtain nights lodging


They tell me your name is Mr.. Dacey,
and that you are the right sort of man,


but that is neither here nor there, for |
am nearly gone out and wished to camp
, here"


Stranger" demanded Darcy, ''where


DO you hail from, and what is your busi-
: ness ~


replied, 81 came TO dig gold, but
, need little rest first, for | have made g


long tramp of it. You see, two months
: ago left Salt Lake where the MormonS
5 cleaned me out. 1t is long story, bu
a to be honest, Pm an emigrant from the
State of Missouri. have no money
v but if l can pay you for few days
board by any light work, why all yo'
. have to do is to say the word


"Well, Mr.. Emigrant, if you are sur
g you are not yourself Mormon, and wi
swear to it, I'll let you put up with me
bat mind, if you deceive me, I'll kill yo
p" as sure as my name is Bill Darcy, fo
o I'm particularly down on the Mormo
>, tribe"


] convinced Darcy that his suspicion
re of my character were groundless, and b
er playing the agreeable to him | that nigl
u drew him out. Like most men, he VIZ


vain, and by touching this tender point
IL set him talking, while / listened, I
nu rather studied the man. Before bedtim
= my plans were laid, and / fell aslee
nu thinking had an easy task to perform
ea With the gray light of the next NOR


ing was up and making myself gene
ur ally useful about the premises. On NEE
loS ing Darcy he saluted me with the usu
i'h set phrase of good morning, and tn
10 added, 81 see you are no idler, and


you are very handy with the axe, | wi
ier you to finish the job you are now wol
'ed ing on, and then build me rough sh
ia to put my horse under in stormy ywea
'co. er."


lty, For three days / labored steadily, a
yer had nearly completed my task, when


employer came to me and bantered
six to play game of cards.


nto Ireplied / " that I was ignorant of


in art, but if he would teach me, l wot
bon for the sake of amusement, try to lear
life. That afternoon he faithfully enfe
= of ored to make me Gan old gambler)
ling derstand the game of Seven up" bu
lom proved poor scholar, and several tn


he was about giving up the business


to being hopeless. However, l mana
the to keep him in good humor, and t
and ended the first day of my undertaken
S. Dacey was now SO interested in tee
the ing me the secrets of the art of gam
ihen that the next morning be could not re
Mon the temptation Of proposing fresh /
lem of our skill.


she'd On this occasion, seeing, as he said
der began to know something, he offered


lend me a small sum Of money, so
rs of he could make it interesting by BETH
first Istoutly refused to do this for s


r. 49, k,,t .ba arourneafs nf ~,