Year: 1876




Gresser's Flat-perhaps it was because
on one or two occasions Bertha Mosler
had been with her father when at his
work, and to meet such lovable crea-
ture, if but for moment only was thing
to watch and wait for.


1t was approaching the Holiday sea-
son and the storms Of winter had fairly
set in. The granite peaks surrounding
were clothed in their garments Of white,
in which the dark green Of the pine and
hemlock groves rested like little islets.
In the valleys of the gulches the rains
had started into life the vegetation and
the rock like soil of Summer now yielded
gently to the pressure of the footstep.-
The creek red and muddy from the work
ing above, rolled its turbid stream in
front Of the famous village Of Coon Hol
low, from whose one street the idiers of
Summer had disappeared. The waited
and wished-for season of mining had
come at last, and all were at work to
take advantage of it.


Jake was in his element, by which we
by no means wish to be understood as
saying he was wallowing in the ditch.
That necessary appliance to the miners
of Coon Hollow was crowded to its al
most limit, and there was q ready sale
for every drop of water. The ditch ten
der made his round of the claims. wind
ing up, as usual, with that of old man
Mosier. But to his surprise the water
he had turned down the hill was running
to waste, while the claim was deserted.
at this unexpected sight Jake was con.
founded.


What's up, here, | wonder. Is the
old man caught anywhere ? III take a
look"


But his look availed nothing. He
threw the shovel which was his constant
companion across his shoulder again,
determined to go down to the house and
see why the water was not used. But rs
he raised the bank he met Bertha, evil
IDENTIFY waiting for him.


was looking for your coming, this
morning." she said, "but somehow miss
ed you. Father asked me to tell you not
to turn the water down 20 the claim for
awhile new. Not until he sends you
word"


" Is vonr father i'll ."


Yes, and no not i'll in body but i'll
in mind"


"Shall go in and see him ?"


81 think you had better not he sent
me out to meet you and | think re does
rot desire to see anyone"


Jake turned as if to 60. He unused for
moment and walked slowly away. But
after few steps he turned again and
walked close up to where she was stand
ing.


"Tve no right, perhaps, Miss Bertha,
to ask your confidence in any way, but
you folks somehow seem to be by your
selves, not very thick with anybody
There's times in the world when the best
of US need friendly word or friendly
act. Can you tell me what it is that's
troubling the old gentlemaH?"


81 hardly know, myself, sir" she
replied evidently moved at the earnest
manner in which he spoke. II can but
guess at it and would have perhaps, nc
right to tell you without his permission.
But | thank you both for myself and
father for the kind offer your words inn
ply"


She bowed turned and walked away.
Jake stood for moment irresolute, then
quickly followed.


Zone word more, Miss Bertha. | was
not seeking your confidence through any
motive of idle curiosity, but from a sin
cere desire to be of service. Tell your
father this for me, will you? You can
give me his answer any morning when
am going my rounds"


She inclined her head slightly in ac-
quiescence, and passed on. Jake again
shouldcred his shovel and resumed hl:
journey. And who shall say that the
roughly dressed ditch tender did not fee
a genuine sympathy for those in trouble
from whom he had just parted, though
they were almost strangers to him. Fol
some men, and women, too, find theil
chief happiness in life in acts of kindnes;
which tend to promote the happiness o
others. The man who lives for himsel
alone, careless Of the sorrow ana suffer.
ings of those by whom he is surrounded
can scarce ever know what genuine, un
alloyed happiness is. The selfshness ofhii
nature leads him to draw pleasure from
but the one source, but he who can sinh
self out of sight and live for others lind
it on every hand.


And "Old Jake" Notwithstanding tho
misery, close character generally impu
ted to him was just one of the kind o
men we have described. But the good
he did WAS in such an unostentatious
manner that 1t was unknown. When Mrs.
Pringle was left widow by a caving
bank which crushed the life out of her
husband, and paper was circulated to
provide for the immediate wants of the
little ones, those having the matter in
charge did not think it worth while to
call on Jake and see what he would do,
thinking it so much lost time, but by the
time they got ready to report a varied
assortment of necessaries had been left
at the house, and the trader who brought
them there would give no information
whatever, saying the donor insisted upon
remaining unknown. To be sure Squire
Hyslop had the credit of it-although he
denied the soft impeachment yet hc de-
MED it in way which seemed to say
kXnn f.1lare Y,r1ftvy on.I c,ttaa1arc