Year: 1875

made herself rs pretty as possible, anc
was waiting a young husbands return
She was dressed in simple white, with {
blue ribbon around her neck and sash OF
ribbon of the same color round her waist
and had little bunch Of bright flowers
pinks, Jep thought-at her throat Hel
eyes were brown and her hair likewise
save when the sunlight turned it to gold
Jep tried to ask for water, but his tongue
was so parched he could only whisper
The look of fear changed to one of infinite
pity at Jep's request and she fairly sprang
to get the water. Jep used to say that the
flash of womanly pity in her face had
made him partial to brown hair and eyes
ever since.


Again he took up his march and now
the sun was almost set, and soon it was
gone, and the night closed swiftly down
At last he discerned lights and soon found
himself in little town. Supposing his
journey was over, he asked for hotel
and was told there was none nearer than
Columbia, which was yet two miles away


Two miles. Could he ever walk two
miles? He continued his journey. and at
9 2. NJ, found himself in the express Of
flee in Columbia.


1t was Saturday night, and the miners
were thronging the office to sell their dust
At last he made his way to the counter,
and, while waiting his turn, so feartully
did his limbs pain him, that he supported
himself upon his elbows on the counter to
rest himself At length in answer to the
sharp "Well, sir. what can | do for you ?''
Jep asked for letter. There was no let
ter for Jep Smith, no package, no nothing.
This was terrible He had certainly eX-
pected a letter with a remittance, and he
had nothing. His resolution was quickly
taken. He turned to civil looking miner
beside him, and asked him if he would tell
him where the best hotel III town was.
His idea was to 90 straight to the land
| lord, tell him all about the Smiths, and
beg his indulgence for q week OF two I'M
til Il remittance came. The miner said
politely, 81 will show you, sir, a good
hotel"


He followed the MINER around the cor
ner, and in u few minutes was brought
face to face with a woman who seemed to
his tired eyes 4 very Amazon. The miner
said: Mrs. McGraw, this, gentleman
wants board and a private room for a
week, OF perhaps ten days" The woman
eyed Jep for a moment before she answer
ed. and in that moment his resolution was
taken to say nothing of his depleted purse,
for he knew it would not answer with her,
and he was too weary to go any further
The woman spoke at last: ''Misther, we
has but one private room, and it comes
very high Jep looked up very frank and
clear as he answered: Madam money
is no object, in the world with me at
present; all | want is a place by myself
where can be quiet for q few days Very
well, sir, said the woman shortly. ''lIave
you had supper?" Jep went to the supper
table, drank a cup of tea, but could not
eat one mouthtul. He left the table, found
a bath house. and in bath rs hot as he
could bear experienced instant relief for
his aching limbs. He slept that night like
a millionaire.


Descending next morning to the bar
room, the landlord, the husband of the
Amazon was on watch. He was a short
man, with shaggy eyebrows, and a fearful
broad pair OF shoulders. .Jep refused the
drink proifered him by his host, and sat
down to think things over a little. Hard
ly was he seated when a man came from
the breakfast-room. -Four bits said the
host shortly. ''Railley, Sir" said the man,
II have not the coin now jist, but will
bring it to wees Tomorrow You will p''
said the host, sententiously. and, coming
from behind the bar he laid one terrible
hand on the mans neck and with one kick
raised him almost to the ceiling. Then,
seizing him with the dsengaged hand, he
| hosted him at arms length and tossed
him through the door and over the side
walk, apparently without an effort. He
then, without speaking returned behind
the bar, and again took up his watch with
out the slightest trace Of excitement or
emotion, as if what he had done was a
necessary and frequent accompaniment OF
bookkeeping in the mountains


Meanwhile Jep was calculating what
might happen in case his remittance was
delayed. The week wore away without
incident There was breakfast dinner and
supper every day, and the Bridget who
waited upon the table at every dinner
would come up to Jep and say Will
yees have some OF the roast poark, or the
roast bate, or bit of the baked hart ~
Those three dishes We're indelibly impress
ed on Jeps memory during that week,
The second Sunday came, and Monday
and Tuesday. The express reached Colum-
bia about 3 p NJ.


That last afternoon Jep, as he passed
through the barroom to go to the express
office, noticed the host and hostess in ear
nest conversation, accompanied on the
part of the man with violent gestures and
dark glances at Jep, us he moved slowly
out of the room. The eXpressman met
him this day with a smile. "You are all
right to-dayn he said, throwing down
upon the counter roll of double eagles.
"Will you give me small gold and silver
for three OF four Of these?" Jep asked,
The expressman obliged him, and, filling
one pocket full, he purchased cigar, Che
had not smoked before tor ten days. and
started for his hotel


As he entered. the landlady came to him,
flushed and evidently troubled and hesi-
tatingly commenced: ''Misther Smith, y
said she, 81 have been talking with the
old man; you don't know, may be, that
a new married pair had come to the house,
and we was wonderin' would it make you
any troubles were yeeS to give up your
room for night to these


Jep always doubted about there being
any newly-married couple in that house
that day, and believes it was plan to
transfer him from the private room to the
corral, but he did not stop to discuss the
proposition. He merely SAID: 1T does
not matter, Mrs McGraw, shall have to
leave town tonight. am going to Sonora.
How much is my bill ?n


The woman was so much surprised and
incredulous that she could not speak for a
moment. She commenced at last: "Iee
know yees had our finest room, Misther
Smith ?'


"a delightful room, Madam" was Jep's
reply.


''And yees have boarded the whole
time she continued.


"Your table is superb, Madam" said
Jep.


Under the circumstances, would yces
consider the bill was unreasonable at
thirteen dollars and a half?" she asked


Then came Jep's triumphal moment
Thrusting his hand to the bottom of his
pocket he withdrew it full of gold. Toss
ing a 800 piece to the stupefied woman,
he said "Nlrs. McGraw, accept that, and,
believe me. your kindness to me will never