The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 21 — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

‘ THE ARGOSY ‘“ But you have no occupation—no way to fill up your time ?” ‘“T have a few books and my own thoughts. I will tell you what little.is to be told. I came here six years ago, and for a time devoted myself to gold digging. I was fortunate, and secured all I needed for my modest wants. Then I stopped, for I had no object in accumulat- ing more. But you tell me about vourself. You are young to be in California.” ‘Yes, I came to seek my fortune. I was a poor boy, and my mother is unhappily situated. I came to see if 1 could not improve her lot and my own.” ‘© What are you doing ?” “*T am digging for gold ?” ‘* Where?” “* At Howe's Gulch 2?” ‘© Have you succeeded ?” “©So poorly that Iam thinking of giving it up and going elsewhere. In Sacramento I worked in a restaurant, and made a good deal more money than I have made at the mines. Iam twenty dol- lars poorer than when | came here.” ‘** Are you alone ?” ‘“* No, I have a friend with me—a young man whose ac- quaintance I made in crossing the plains.” “STs he a true friend—a loyal friend ?” "Yes." ‘©’ Then there are such in the world. Those I have met have been of a different kind. Has he been any more fortunate than yourself ?” ‘© Not since I arrived. He did something before I came, but I must have brought him bad luck, for he has been running behind ever since. We have not been making expenses for the last month.” “T never thought much of Howe's Gulch, though some have been fortunate there.” ‘* Then it was not there that you found your gold ?” * No” Grant wanted to ask the old man where it was that his claim’ was located, but hesitated, not knowing how the question would be received. ‘© T can direct you to a rich spot,” said the old man after a pause. ‘I had intended to let the secret die with me, but you have done me a service ™ ‘© A very slight one,” said Grant modestly. ‘““Not slight, for without your help I should have been unable to get home.” ‘‘T was glad to serve you, and do not need compensation. You may wish to work the claim yourself.” ‘*No; my days of labor are over, I am sixty five, and might easily be taken for ten years older. I shall be glad to contribute to your happiness and success, and that of your friend.” ‘‘Perhaps some one may have discovered and worked the claim.” ‘¢ No: it is an out of the way place, and has not attracted attention.” ‘* How, then, did you discover it ?” ‘By accident. As to the richness, let this convince you: In tess than six months I took out ten thousand dollars, and having no need of more, topped working, and carefully removed all traces likely to betray the mine’s entrance to a casual observer. ‘It will be a great favor to Tom and myself. We ought to give you a share of the proceeds.” . The old man shook his head. “T shall not live long enough to spend the money I have,” he an- swered. ‘‘ You are welcome to all it will yield you. Come here with your friend tomorrow morning, and I will give you the directions that will enable you to find the claim.” ‘©Can I do anything more for you before I go ?” ‘‘ Yes; you may go to the stream behind the cabin and bring me some fresh water.” Grant did as requested, and, elated by his unexpected good luck, * started on his return to Howe's Gulch. When Grant reached the cabin jointly occupied by himself and Tom Cooper, he found Tom sitting outside, smoking lis pipe. He looked very thoughtful. ““WHAT’S THE MATTER 2” 337 ‘* Have you got rid of your headache, Grant ?” he asked ‘*'Yes ; 1 feel as lively as a cricket.” ‘*Then your walk has done you good ?” ‘* A great deal of good," answered Grant; but Tom did not detect ‘* How long have you been at the significance hidden in the reply. home ?”’ ‘* An hour.” “Then you knock- I ed off work earlier than usual.” ‘““ Yes,” answered Tom soberly. ‘‘ To tell the truth, Grant, I'm discouraged. | How much do you | think our day’s work amounts to ?”’ TWA Wt a iy Yt SY) 4, f vie Yb nn of mt i] er 7 Mt a. ee Nr e \ SNA Ty ¢ £5 Te Lge ZY Zr za 4, i} Uj Dey QGRIED GRANT. ‘CAN I HELP YOu?” ‘Yours and mine ?” “Yes.” ‘* How much ?” ‘* A dollar and seventy five cents! I think, Grant, we had better in- quire the location of the nearest poorhouse. We may want to ask ad- mission.” ‘* There's an old saying, Tom: day.’ 2) ‘* How does that apply here ?” **T will tell you. I have secured a claim from which ten thousand dollars was obtained within six months.” ‘And then it petered ottt ?” ‘The darkest hour is just before ‘*No; the owner stopped working :t because he had money enough, and was satisfied.” ‘Hasn't it been worked since ?" , Cay No ” ‘How much did you agree to pay for it 2?" asked Tom in excite- nent. a’ EO DOO) C S (CO)