The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 21 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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336 been given to his confederate, as his portion of the booty. But Dash considered himself peculiarly fortunate in regain- iny the locket, because he valued it above the others on ac- count of the pictures it contained. Dash ayain prepared to light his signal lantern, fuliy de- termined to stop the first train going toward Deckerton, and have the drunken tramp taken there, where he would be punished and a portion of his money returned to him. As he struck the match, Dash still held the watch chain in his hand, but before he could ignite the signal he was doomed to another interruption of the most startling and un- expected kind. A strong grasp was laid hold of his collar, and he was roughly dragged over on his back. (To be continued.) DIGGING FOR GOLD. * A STORY OF CALIFORNIA.* BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. CHAPTER XXIV. GRANT HAS AN ADVENTURE. HALL we take supper at the hotel ?” asked Grant. much do they charge ?” ‘Two dollars a day for meals and lodging ?” ‘Isn't that considerable ?” asked Grant, rather dismayed. ‘Yes, if one only earns fifty cents,” answered Tom, smiling. “Do you like sleeping in such a crowd, Tom ?” ‘No, but there seems no other way unless | bought a cabin, and I should feel too Jonely.” | ‘But now there are two of us together. Why can't we hire a cabin, and lodge and eat independently. We can take turns in doing the cooking, and it will be a good deal cheaper.” “Do you know anything about cooking, Grant 2? I don’t.” ‘Yes: ] took some lessons at the restaurant. Ican teach you all I know myself.” ‘Then wecan establish ourselves tomorrow. There is a deserted cabin a little way up the gulch, which no one seems to care to occupy. It is in fair condition, and the last occupant kept house, so that there are Gishes and cooking utensils. We can take possession, and, then, if any one disputes our right, we can agree to pay rent.” ‘© That will be capital,” said Grant in a tone of satisfaction. For a month Grant and Tom Cooper worked assiduously, sometimes at one claim, sometimes at the other. The life of a miner is full of excitement. Even when he meets with poor luck, there is the prospect every day of making a rich find. But in the case cf the two friends it was always hope deferred. At the end of the month they sat down to consider the situation. ‘/Well, Grant, we don’t seem to get much richer,” said Tom, taking a whiff from a clay pipe which was his evening luxury after a hard day’s work. ; ; | " ‘We made fifty cents yesterday,” responded Grant soberly. ‘ Between us. That is twenty five cents each.” ‘On the whole we have been losing ground during the last month. I am twenty dollars poorer than when I came here.” ‘And I have fallen behind as much, or more than that.” “Digging for gold isn't what ] thought it to be,” said Grant, ‘I was doing a good deal better in Sacramento.” “That may be, but we mustn’t forget that 2 man does strike luck once in a while.* “It won't do us any good to have some other man strike luck.” “I see you are getting down hearted, Grant.” “Well, not exactly; but I think I’ve made a mistake. our claims amounts to much.” ‘¢What do you propose, then 2?” “T have nothing to propose,” said Grant modestly. ‘‘ You are older and more experienced than I. 1 will follow your plan.” ‘Then let us work three days longer. If at the end of that time ‘‘How Neither of ora - wee ‘Begun in No. 430 of THE ARGOSY ~ a THE ARGOSY took only the locket and chain. The watch had doubtless nothing turns up, we will pull up stakes and go elsewhere. We can’t afford to keep on working and falling behind all the time.” © ‘S Three days then, Tom.” “You haven’t had any luck yet, Grant. came.”’ ‘‘T am afraid my coming brought you bad luck.” ‘* Bad luck or not, I am glad to have you here. work it seems pleasant to have some one to talk to.” ‘STf I should leave you, how would Silverthorn do?” asked Grant smiling. | ‘* Poor company is worse than none. than have that man ’round.” The next morning the two partners went to work as usual. They always started hopeful of good results, but, as the day wore away and resulis were meager, their hopes began to sink. That day they cleared between them a dollar and a half, while their expenses, at a modest calculation, so high were provisions, were nearly double this sum, ‘* Another day lost !" commented Tom as they sat over their evening fire, for it was beginning to grow cold at the close of the day. ‘“We won't say anvthing about it,” said Grant. ‘* Let the three days pass, and then we will consult.” | About the middle of the next afternoon Grant was attacked by a vio- lent headache. ‘* I shall have to close up work for the day, Tom,” he said. ‘* Go to the cabin and lie down,” suggested Tom, ‘¢T would rather go on a walk. The fresh air may do me good.” Grant dipped his handkerchief in the stream, bathed his forehead, and then set out on a stroll to the south of the claims. Finding relief, he pushed on till he had probably walked a couple of miles. It was a lonely stretch of country, and, with the exception of a boy, he met no one. His surprise was the preater, therefore, when at one point he heard a groan, evidently proceeding from some one in pain. He looked about him, and finally discovered an old man lying under a tree doubled up with pain. It was hard to tell his age, for his appear- ance was neglected, and he had the air of one who lived apart from his fellow men, ‘What is the matter ?” asked Grant in a tone of sympathy. I help you?” ‘lam suffering from an attack of rheumatism,” answered the old man, ‘* It came upon me suddenly, and has disabled me, as you see.” ‘What can I do for you?” ““1If you can help me to my cabin it will be a great service.” “Where is your cabin ?” ‘In the edge of yonder woods.” He pointed feebly, and Grant, following the direction, espied a small hut, brown and discolored with age, standing under the shadow of a rock about a quarter of a mile away. He helped the old man to his feet, and half supported him as he walked toward the cabin. ° ‘* Are you often seized in this way ?” he asked. ‘Not: often so suddenly and violently, though I have been in the grip of my enemy for years.” ] had a share before vou After a hard day's I'd rather hustle by myself ‘* Can CHAPTER XXV. ANOTHER LONELY CABIN. HEY reached the cabin at last, and then a question which Grant was about to ask was answered. The old man lived alone. The furniture was of the simplest : a bed, a couple of chairs, a table, and a few dishes. } ‘Is there no one to take care of you 2?" asked Grant. ‘No, I need no one,” was the quick reply. ‘' 1 have remedies that will soon quiet the pain.” ‘T should think you would feel lonely.” ‘© T prefer solitude to the society of mean, selfish and designing men,” answered the old man bitterly. ‘©All men are not mean or selfish.” ‘‘No doubt you are right, but those whom I trusted most have proved so.” ‘© How long have you lived here ?”’ ‘Six years.” “Ate you—poor ? If so, perhaps I can help you.” ‘No, no, poverty is the smallest of my troubles, Look there !" and the old man drew from his pocket a handful of gold pteces, ‘‘I have enough to see me through the few years I have yet to live,” | | > | CONMUGCLIOONKKS a COUN