Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 2, Number 24, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 December 1871 — Page 6

[From the Home Jouraal.] ,_-

YE8TKRDA Y.

BY STELLA OF LACK AW ANKA.

Yesterday the Hammer died!

UttUtn,

moon of.midnight, lUten

Ollsten, pitying star-eye*, glisten Sportive breese and wave of laughter, Saobttm, dimpling, dancing after, Turn your ladness 1

Into mourning,

For a life no more returning: Yea tenia the rammer died.

Oh the lots of yesterday! Other rammers may euinc to u^, -l And with witching languor woo us— Other snmmerw, beauty-laden AJ» the white arms of a maiden Bat will any strange new-comer Seem to us like the dead summer

That we burled yesterday? Yesterday the summer died! Never bluer, never brighter Hung the skies, and never lighter Swung the breezes down the mountain, Or more gayly tripped the fountain While the summers steps grew slower, And the summer's pulses lower

Yesterday the summer died.

Htrange, 'twas only yesterday That our happy feet went roaming In the soft, warm, welcome gloaming, Or the sunlit meadows over, Pressing down the helpless clover And the bobolink went singing Till I he woods with song were ringing

Strange, 'twas only yesterday.

Only yesterday—and now Hear the melancholy raining, And the rustle of complaining Of the forest leaves that follow Swiftly in yon storm-scooped hollow, While the orn tree*, wildly swaying, Tow their bare arms as if praying

That the frost may spare them now.

Only yesterday! blest hours Dropping from the summer heaven Will iny weak soul be forgiven, If It sit* In wilful grieving, Dumb with pain and unbelieving. That HO much of life's poor sweetness Should have vanished wrh a fleetness

All thine own, blest summer hours?

Only yesterday—ah me! Is rt wl.se to sit and gather „tf Broken threads that we should rather, Since we've lost them, not remember 'Neath the sad stars of November? Kor sometimes a heart is breaking With the bitter memories waking

Of the yesterd -ys—ah me!

[From the Overland Monthly.]

Sandy Haired Jim.

"Wlmmcn nater is curs nater, that *'11 allow. But a feller kind o' hankers nrter 'om, fur all that. They're a •mighty handy thing to have about a •bouse."

Tne abovo oracular statement oroCOoded from the parched and puckered lips ot 8andy-haired Jim—one of •iho many "hands" employed in the Immense Tesoro Kanciio, which covered miles of valley besidos extending •up on to the eastern flunk of the Const Range, and Uking in considerable 4fa:to of woodland and mountain pasture. Long beforo, when it acquired its name, under Spanish occupancy, there had been a rumor of the existence Of the precious motals in the mountains which formed a portion of the errant honco its name, Tesoro, signifying trnuure. All search for, or belief in gold mines, had been abandoned, ©yen beforo the land came Into the possession of American owners, and now was only spoken of in the light of a Spanish legend but the name was retained, partly as a geographical distinction of a large tract of country, thwugh it was sometimes called the Edwards Ranch, after its present proprietor, and after 'he American fashion of pronunciation.

John Edwards had more than once naid, in the hearing of his mon. that he would give hair of the proceeds of the mine and an interest In the ranch, to any ono who would discover it and prove it to be of value a remark which was not without weight, especially a 1 A a Callings took them into me mountains considerable portion of the year. But

With the borders and shepherds, whose tne mountains -f the year. But the offor of the proprietor never seemed to asauuie th9 air of ft business proposition, the men who might have been inflamed by It with a prospecting fever, held in clieck this desire to ap* rul re auddon riches, and never looked very sharp at the "indications," which was easy sometimes to imagine th«y had founil. But that is neither here nor there with Saudy-halred Jim, who was not a nattle herder, nor yet a shepherd, but farmer or toamstei, aa the re-

atin

ulreiuont was, at dlftereut seasons of year. He was expressing himself concerning John Edwards' sister, who, justone

Kear

ago, had come to sot up dotnestloIn the house of hor brother whereas, pn-vlous to her advent John had "bseh'd It" on the ranch, with his men, for ft»ur or Ave years. Jim, and the ahum to whom his remarks were addressed, were roosting on a fence. after the manner of a certain class of agriculturalist*, hailing usually from MiaHouri, and most frequently Irom the COuntv ot Tike.

The pale December sunshino colored with a son gold the light morning base which hung over the valley in which lay the Tesoro Rancho. In spite of the year of drought which had soorohed up •he grain-fields, an#l given a character Of aridity lo the landscape, it bad a die* Unotlve soft beauty of tint and outline, •een in the favoring light we have men* Uoued. Of all the fascinating nictureo we remember to have aeen, the most remarkable was one of a desert eoene, with nothing but the stretches of yellow *and and the golden atmosphere Cor middle distance and background, and for a fbr*g round a white tent, with a*tu«U and picturesquely costumed A ribs grouped before It. There was UioMUKooi infinite dUUo^ In it which ia so sathsfying to the mind which the few- figures and broken linen intensified and there was that witching warmth and mellowneas ol Coloring wht-h doee not belong to landscape whre gray huee predominate.

Having said this much abouta pioture, we hive explained why Calltorniau views, eson in our great, »j«n»t taxless valleys, grow so into our hearts Ktid imaginations, *JKr the first dash of dl*pp »lntment at not finding them like th« vernal valeeol N«*w England or eentr-tl New York. But Tesoro Rancho was not treeleea. Great spreading tka furnished Just the nfcsessarv dark -green tones ia the vallojp landnoatK' and the mountain sides had multif arious shades of color -furnished by nicks an! treen, hy shadows, and (be atmosphere 1'aelt.

It was no wond»r, then, tb*t 8*ndvbaimi Jim, sitting on rall-fenco, in am attitude more curious thui graceful easting Is gi tnoe ofton un ^nwoiouaiy Oter the tar valley reaches, and up the Hiottoi tin side*, witu a dim peroeptlon Ot something pleaawit in the rV#w Which his thoitght to^»k o»»gais««oe Ot tn f«ct. for the l*sv tnmuie ortwo, Mi |bad been a sil-ntone: and Qteerver might hire pondered. tring the sharpneaa nf ll» p»wi w* a«ub htm whether ha mlnt net he •taking up hta mind W i#«9«w •n aoon as bis slowworklng mew I all ty Ittd b«d time to convey tbe decision of MLhrain ui his

JP a eventa, that Is what be 414 la ffpy1 onr menial %a«ry, lalrlnt op

the thread of hla discourse where was broken off, aa follows^ Miss Edwards, neow (thar she la, a-comin' down from the monnt'ln, with her arms foil of them 'sallas ahe's so fond ol), ahe'a a mighty peart kind or a gal, and wuth a heap more to keep a man'a houae in good ahape than one o' them soft-look in' Chinee. Them's my sentiments." "That'a so," responded his chnm, seeming conatitutionaliy diainciined to a longer sentence.

John Edwarda haa tuk to dressin' hisself nicer, and fixin up the place aa he didn't used to when he bach'd it, I can tell ye! When I see her bringin' her pianny, and her picturs and books, and aich like traps, I jist told myself, 'Neow, John Edwards has got a pretty passel of trash on his hands, I veow.' And I meant her' as well aa the other fol-de-rola. But, you bet your life, she's got more sense, two to one. than ary one of us I It waa a lucky day for Edwards when she came on to this ran*b, sure's yon're born."

What further this eqnally philosophical and devoted admirer of MissEd wards might have said on this to him evidently interesting Jtopic, had

oviueuiiy luwicouug wpiv, "—ra~— ~J

Checking the rapid lope of her horse, as she came near where the men were standing, in attitudes of trauk, if awkward, deference, she saluted them with a cheerful "Good morning," and drew rei" beside them oesiue ineui.

walk a little way with me,ifyou please, James. I have something I wish to say to you," was the lady's low-voiced command. A certain fluah and pleased expression on honest Jim's ruddy countenance reminded her instantly of the inherent vanity of man, and when she next addressed her attendant it was as •'Mr. Harris," for such, indeed waa the surname of our lank Missourian,though not many of his associates had ever heard it.

How long have you been on this place, Mr. Harris?" Near onto six year, Miss Edwards," replied Jim.

Did you know Mr. Charles Ersklne, my brother's former partner

Just us well as I know your brother, miss." "What became of him, after he left this place

I couldn't rightly say, miss. Some said he went to th9 mines, up in Idaho, and other folks said they'd seen him in 'Frisco but I don't know nary thing about him." "He must be found.Mr. Harris. Do you think you could And him if I should send you on such a mission It is a very important one, and it is not every one I would intrust it to."

The flush and the pleased look returned to Jim's face: "I'd do the best I oould, miss and, inebbe, I'd do aa well as another." "That's what I was thinking, Mr. Harris. You have been a long time, here, and you are prompt and capable about your business so I concluded I could trust you with mine. I aut sure I was quite right."

Jim waa goingonto"swar8hewas," when Miss Edwards interrupted him, to enlighten him further as to the requirements of "her business:" "I do not wish my brother to know what errand I send you on. Thov had a dreadful quarrel once, I believe and he might not agree with me as to the wisdom of what I am aboutto do. It will, therefore, be necessary for you to ask John's permission to go on a visit to San Francisco, as If it was for yourself you were going. The drought has left so little to do that you can be spared, without embarrassment until the rains begin. I am going to have a grand festival at Christmas, and 1 would like you to be home before that time. I will explain further when you have got John's consent to your absence. Come to the house after, and ask If I have any ootnmlssions for jroa."

When Mlaa Edwards aantered off, leaving him alone in the road, Jim was in a state of pleaaed bewilderment, not unmixed with an instinctive jealousy.

I do wonder, neow, what she wants with Charlie Ersktne. He was a powerful nice feller, and.smart as llghtnin but, somehow, he an' Edwards never oould hitch hosses. Ersklne went too fast tor steady John, an' I doubt ef he didn't git him into some money troubles. I'd like to know, though,what that gal'a got to do about it. Wonder ef ahe knowed him back in the States. Wlmmen la cur'us, sure enough."

Jim's suggestion was the true one. Miss Edwards had known Charles Ersklne "iiack In the States," and when they parted laat, it had been aa engaged lovers. When ahe lea her home in the Bast to join ber brother, a apeedy marriage with him had been In contemplation. But how often did It happen, in the "old steamer times," that wives left New York to join husbands in San Franciaco, only to find on arrival at the end of along voyage, the dear onea hidden from algot in the grave, or the false ones gone aatrav And so it happened to Mary Rdwakis, that when ahe set foot on California soil, no lover appeared to welcome her, and ber trembling and blushing were turned to painful suspense and secret bitter tears.

Her brother bad vouchsafed very little explanation only declaring Charlwi Krskln" a scoundrel, who had nearly mined him, and aw«aring he ahonld never set fi»ot on Tesoro Rancho until every dollar of indebtedneea was paid. Poor Mary fonnd It «rd settling Into a place so new and duties so unaccustom

the new lite for its own sake. Her

tain of their 'fiends.

wards asked, with much forced composure. The last I heard ot htm he waa in San Francisco, lying dangerously ill," anawered John, eoldlj *'Oh, John!"

Mary, yon must hope nothing from that man. Don't waste your sympathies on him, either he'll never repay you the outgo."

Tell me juat one thing, John: Was Charles ever false to me? Tell me the truth."

I think he kept good laith with you. It is not that I complain of in his conduct. The quarrel is strictly between us. He can never come here, with my consent." "But I can go to hitn," said Mias Edwards, very quietly.

And she did go—with Sandy-haired Jim for an escort, and her brother's frowning face haunting her.

If all is right," ahe said at the very last, "I will be back to keep Christmas with you. Think as well as you can of me, John, and—good-by."

It will be aeen, that whatever Miss Edwards' little, womanly plan of re- ..., conciliation had been, it was, as to dehe tails, all changed by the informatioi

not been Interrupted* will never be John bad given her. What next she known. For the lady herself appeared would do depended on circumstances, upon the scene, putting an end to her It was, perhaps, a question of life and ,— death.

own praises, and discovering to us, upon nearer view, that she added youth and grace, if not absolute beauty, to her other qualities.

The

long,

wearying

dusty

stage-ride to San Francisco, passed like a disagreeable dream neither incident of heat by day nor cold by night, or influence of grand or

lovely

Ele

scenes, seem-

ed to touch her consciousness. James Harris, in his best clothes and best manners—the latter having a certain gentle dignity about them that was torn of the occasion—sat beside her,

Take Brownie by the head, and and ministered assiduously to those II. i:uu nlnnno nAPflnnul

Wiintfl whi(*h fillA htftU lOrSOt*

personal wants which she had forgot ten in the absorption of her painful thoughts.

What Jim himself thought, if his mental processes could be called thinking, it would be difficult to state. He was dimly conscious-that in his com

anion's mind t!"ere was a heavy troubrooding and conscious, also, of

desire to alleviate it as »r as possible, though in what way that might be be had not the remotest idea. There seemed an immense gulf between her and him over which he never could reach to proffer consolation and while be blindly groped in his own mind for some hint of his duty, he was fain to be content with such personal attentions as defending her from heat and cold, dust and fatigue, and reminding her that eating ana drinking were among the necessary inconveniencies of this life. After a couple of days spent in revolving the case hopelessly in his brain, his thoughts at length shaped themselves thus: •'Waal, neow, 'talu't no concern of mine, to be sure: but I'm beound to see this gal threough. She's captain of this train, at.d only got ter give her or ders. I'll obey 'em if they take me to thunder. That's so, I veow!" After wliich conclusion ot the whole matter. Jim appeared more at ease in all respects. In truth, the most enlightened of us ^o to school to just such mental struggles, with profit to our minds and manners.

Arrived at San Francisco, Miss Edwards took quarters at a hotel, determined before reporting herself to any of her acquaintances to first find whetli er Charles Erskine was alive, and if so, where he could be found. What a wearisome search was that before traces of him were discovered, in a cheap board-ing-house, in a narrow, dirty street. And what bitter disappointment it was to learn that he had gone away some weeks before, as soon as he was able to be moved. To renew the search in the city to send telegrams in every direction was the next effort, which, like the first proved fruitless and at the end of ten davs, Miss Edwards made a few formal calls on her friends, concludeid some necessary purchases, and set out on her return to Tesoro Rancho, exhausted in mind and body.

If Jim was careful of her comfort before, he was tender toward her now and the lady accepted the protecting care of the serving-man with a dull sense of gratitude. She even smiled on him faintly, in a languid way, but in a way that aeemed to hiu» to lessen the distance between them. Jim's education had been going on rapidlv during the laat ten days. He seemed to himself to be quite another man than the one who sat on the fence with Missouri Joe, leas than two weeks ago.

Perhaps Miss Edwards noticod the obange, and Innocently encouraged hitn to aspire. We must not blame her if ahe did. This is what woman's education makes of her. The moat cultured women muat be grateful and flattering toward the rudeat men, If circumstances throw them together. Born to depend on somebody, they must depend on their inferiors when their superiors are not at band must, in ftct, aa gome an inferiority to those inferiors. If they sometimes turn their heads with the dangerous deference, what wonder!

Secure in the distance between them Miss Edwards assumed that she could safely defer to

hot every comfort and many luxuriea should ever [eel and act brotherly but though, owing to embarrassments Into toward ber foolish weakness fb. Emwhlrh ferskine had drawn him, and to klne, be fclt no charity. the IWWMW of a vear

that she bad some eommlsakms for him thusiaatn. to perform. She bad made up her In some of t» eae, it waa neceaaary^o mind to discountenance the heathen employ f:e services ol one of the twn, habits into which everybody on the and Miss Kdwards, without much r*nch had f*ll»-n. She hud done all' thought of why «x«ft that-he waau-«d *h* oould to keep the men from going! to him, singled out Jim ss her assistant, to bull-fights on the S tbbath, and bad To her surprise^be excused him«elt,aod offered to read the rooming service, if begged to substitute Missouri Joe, tne men would attend and now ahe You see. Miss Edwards, Ire been a w*a cotng to oelebrai* Christmas, long time meanin' to take a trip into thougtishe really did believe that pen- the mount 'ins. I allow it IIIrain in lens olo wh- never saw snow forgot th« nor a week, sn* then It'll be too late Cbriet was ever born I Yet is be not so, ef you'll excuse me this onct, I il born in a rwuntry verv strongly promise to be on md

a O a 1 do very well, no donbt and their is no Jonn smllel. and offered no opposi- need or von to make eaooaea. I thought tiont only bidding her remember not'yon would like to aast* nbout these to make her crxnratasion* U» the prepar*tioos, aud Tin sore yon ^onld suggest too bat go, or «U mean*

city very expensive ones, and tog that, since she meant to be h^d brtter wnd wme invitations to cer- wfl]Je too late." tain of their 'rienda. '^IWa Mihteg Td «kw "By tbe way, John, do yon know staytn' to work for yon, Miss Bd wards, where Cbarias &rskin» is?" Mi* Bd« answore4 Jia^ with some appeals no

gay, she I

•rud some invitations to oer-[

Sandy-haired

Jim, if, as

it seemed, he enjo'yea the sense of being her protector. Even had he been her equal, ahe would have said to herself, "He knows my heart ia breaking for another, and will reapect my grief. In thia double aeenrity, ahe paid no heed to the devotion of ber companion, only thinking him the kindest and most awkward of good and simple minded men. That is just what any of us would have thought about

Sandy-haired

drought, his purse prised and pleased to see that his sis-

was not overflowing. Such was the ter's spirit was nearly eoual to bis own sit ii si ion of affairs on the December for, though visibly "pale and pining mornlnic when our story opens. after the abaurd fashion of women she

Miss El wards mentioned to her broth- went about her duties *n« recreations er during the »v, that James Harris »s usnal, and pmeemted the tbnwtenspoken

goinit to the dtv, and ed preparations for Christinas with en-

Jim,

gentle readers. John Edwards received bis slater with a grave kindliness, which aggravated her grief. He would not ask her a question, nor give her tbe smallest

place so new ana amies MIWWUWIIB&i but h*r good sense and goni spirits opportunity of appealing hl» »y?VP*oonquered difficulties as they sroee un- t'.iea. She had undertaken busjU1 now ahe was quite Inclined to like nesa without his sanction, and without i.a a U. T* ki. .tt.nnathw nhA mitnf I h* OflYl* mis nnw ««TO i«i bis sympathy she must abide the conbrothor waa kind and gathered about aeqnences. Toward

her,

pereonaUy.be

time sure,

tnr'

gay, she! say,' it mast rain very noon, when it will be too late." better nor _Bd wards,"

7"?

SpfWBf BOO#

of confusion "but this time I'm obleged to go—I am sure." "Well, good-by, and good luck to yon, Mf. Harm," Miss Edwards said, pleaaantly. "Ef she only knowed what I'm goin' fur," muttered Jim to himaelf, as he went to eatch -up his horse, and pack np two or three days' rationa of bread and4neat. "But I ain't goin'to let on about it to a single soul. It's best to keep this business to myself, I reckon. 'Peared like 'twas a hint of that kind she gave me, the other day, when she said, 'The gods help them that help themselves, Mr. Harris.' Such a heap of sense aa that gal'sgot! She's smarter'n John Edwards, and me, and Missouri Joe, to boot but I'm a-gsinin' on it a leetle—I'm a-gainin' on it a leetle," concluded Jim.alowly, puckering his parched and sunburnt lips into a significant expression of mystery.

What it was he was "gainin' on," did not appear, for the weight ol his thougnts had brought him to a deadstand, a few feet from the fcnoe, on the hither side of which waa the animal he contemplated riding. At this juncture of entire absence of mind the voice of John Edwarda, hailing him from the road, a little way off, dissolved the spell: "I say, Jim," hallooed Edwards "if

Jalf

ou discover that mine, I will give you of it, and an interest in the ranch." The words seemed to electrify the usually slow mind to which the idea waa addressed. Turning short shout Jim in a score of long strides, reached the fence separating him from Edwards. "Will you put that in writin'?" "To be sure, I will," answered John, nodding his head, with a puzzled and ironical smile.

I'll go to the house with ye, an' hev it done to onct," said Jim, sententiously. "I hev about an hour to spar, I rock on

John Edwards was struck by the unusual manner of the proverbially deliberate man. who had served him with the same unvarying "slow and sure" faithfalness for years but he refrained from comments. Jim, in his awkward way, proved to be more of a man of business than could have been expected.

4,I

want a bond fur a deed, Mr. Edwards. That's the best way to settle it, I reckon. "That is as good a way as any the discovery to be made within a certain time*"

"An'what intrest in the ranch Mr. Edwards?" "Well, about the ranch," said John, thoughtfully, "I don't want to run any risk of trading it off for nothing, and there will have to be conditions attached to the transfer of any portion of that more than the one of discovery of the mine. Let it be this way: that on the mine proving by actual results to be worih a certain* sum—say 950,000—the deed shall be given to half the mine and n'-third interest in the ranch the supposition being, that, If it is proved to be worth $50,000, it is probably worth four times or ten times that amount." "That's about it, I should say," returned Jim. "It's lib'ral in you any wav, Mr. Edwards." "The truth Is, Harris," said Edwards, looking him steadily in the eye: "I am in a devil of a pinch, that's the truth of It and I am taking gambling chances on this thing. I only hope you may earn your third of the ranch. I'll not grudge it to vou, if you do." "Tbank ve, sir. An' when them papers is itie eout, I'll be off."

John handed him his papers half an hour afterward, which Jim prudently took care to have witnessed. Miss Ed-

WHrds

being called in signed her name. "8o, this is what takes vou to the mountains, Mr. Harris? I'm sure I wish you good luck." "You did that afore, miss an' it came right on the spot." "I must be your 'wishing fairy,'" said she, laughing. "I'll bring you a Christmas present, Miss Edwards, like as not," Jim answered, coloring with delight at the thought. "I hope you may. Thank you for the intention, any way." "Are you going all alone, Harris?" asked Edwards, as he accompanied him a short distance from the house. "It la not quite safe going alone, Is il? Have you anv heirs, supposing vou lose yourself or break your neck

Once more Jim was electrified with an idea. His light, grey eyes turned on his questioner with a sudden flash of intefllg'enc "I mougbt choose my heir, I reckon ."Certainly." "Moughtwego back to the house, an' make a will "Aren't you afraid turning buck so often may spoil your luck asked Edwards, laughing. "Ef you think so, I'll never do it," answered Jim, soberly. "But I'll tell you, onct fur all, who it la shall be my heir if any thing chance me, an' I'll expect von'll acton tbesquan that person is Mfss Mary Edwards, your own sister, an' you'll not go fur to dispute my will?" "I've no right to dispute your will, whether I approve of it or not. There will be no proof of It, however, and I oould not make over your property to rnv slater, should there be other heirs with a natural and rightful claim to it. But you are not going to make your will just yet, Harris so, good-by. You'll be home on Chrlsmas?" "I reckon I will."

John Edwards turned back to the house, snd to banter his sister on Jim Harris' will, while that individual went about the business of bia journey. Hia

spirits were In a strange state of halfelation, half depression. The depression was a natural consequence of the

talk about a will, and the elation was tbe result of sir ng and sudden faith which had sprqng np In him in the iuoo0M of his undertaking, and of the achievements of every kind it would render possible. "8l»e's my •wishln' flilry, »h® **id, sn* she wished me luck twice. I gof the first stroke of It when Johu Ed wards called to roe across the field. I've

Kdie

him strong on that sn' I wars surprised, too. He wanted to make me look sharp, that's clar aa mud. I'll look sharp, yon bet, John Rdwards. Didn't ber band look party when she wrote ber name? I've goi ber name to look at, auy way." At this stag*of his revert*, Jim drew from hia inner breastpocket the bond which Miss Edwards bad witnessed, snd, after Basing at tt«e signature for moment with moveless fcdures, gare a shy, hasty glanoe all round him and pressed his pinched and puckered lips on the paper.

The sentiment which ctnsed this ebullition of emotion In Sandy-haired Jim was one so dimly defined, so little underwood. and so absolutely pure In its nature, tbit had Miss Edwards been made aware of it, ebe oould only have seen In It lbs touohing tribute which It wss to abstract wom«nlinens —to tbe "wimeu nature,** of which Jim was no frank an admirer. Tbe gulf whieb waa between them bad never yet been troassd, «*e* in Imagination, tbongb ft la presume is that, unknown tn hlmnoU,/i«a on tbe

verge of It at this moment, dragged thither by the excitement of prospective wealth snd the recollection of the

ileaeent words and am ilea of this, to 'm, queen of woman. After this gush of romance—the first and only one Jim bad ever been guilty of—be returned the document to bis pocket, and, with bia customary deliberation, proceeded to catch and mount his borse, and before noon was on his way across the valley, toward that particular gorge in the monntaina where el tetoro was supposed to be located. John Edwarda stood in the house-door watching him ambling over the waste, yellow plain, until Jim and his horse together appeared a mere apeck in the distance, when he went to talk over with hia sister the late tranaaction, and make some jesting remarks on the probability or the desired discovery.

The days sped by, and there remained but two before Cbriatmas. John and hia aiater were conaultlng together over the arrangement of some evergreen arches and wreaths of bay-leavea. Miss Edwards waa explaining where the floral ornaments ahould come in, where ahe would have thia picture, snd where that, and how it would be beat to light the rooms. "I confess, John," she said, sitting down to braid the scarlet berriea of the native arbutus into a wreath with the leaves of the California nutmeg, "that I can not make it seem like winter ojl like Christmaa with tbeae open doors these flowers, and this warm aunllgbt streaming in at the windows.' I do wish we could have Just a flurry of snow, to make it seem like the holidays." "Snow is out of the question but I should be thankftil for a good rainstorm. If it does not rain soon, there will be another failure of crops next, year in all this part of the country." "Ann then we should have to 'go down into Egypt for corn,'as the Isarel ites used to. *Do you feel very apprehensive, John?

Before John could reply, his attention was diverted by a strange arrival. Dismounting from Jim's horse was a man whom he did not at once rcognize, so shabby were his olothes, so worn and haggard his appearance. With a feeling or vague uneasin ss and curiosity, be sauntered toward the gate, to give such greeting as seemed At to the stranger who came in this guise, yet riding a well-conditioned horse belonging to one of his own men.

Miss Edwards, who had also recognised the animal, ran impulsively to the door. She saw her brother advance to within a few feet of the stranger, then turn abruptly on his heel and return toward the house. The man thus contemptuously received, reeled, as il he would have tallen. but caught at the gate-post, where he remained, leaning, aa if unable to walk. "Who is it, John asked Miss Edwards, anxiously regarding her brother's stern countenance but be passed her, without a word.

A sudden pallor swept ovrr her face, and she looked for one ment, as it she might have fainted then with a «ry of, "Oh, John, John, be merciful!" she ran after him, and threw her arms about him. "Let me go, Mary," said he,hoarsely.

If you wish to see Charles Erskine. you can do as you please. I wash my hands of him." "But, John, be is ill he is suffering he may die—and at your gate!" "Let him die!"

It was then that the soul of Miss Edwards "stood up in her eyes, and looked at" her brother. She withdrew her

arms and turned mutely toward the door, out of which she psssed, with a proud, resolute, and rapid tread. Without hesitation, she dla that which is

so bard for-a woman to do—make ad vancea toward the man with whom she bad once been in tender relations, but whose position has, for any reason, been made to appear doubtftil. She went to him, took him by the hand, and inquired, more tremulously than abe meant, what she could do for him. "Mary!" answered the sick tuan, and then fainted quite away.

Miss Edwards hsd him conveyed to her own room, by the handsof Missouri Joe and tbe Cbineae cook, where she dispensed such restoratives as finally brought back consciousness and some slight nourishment being administered revealed the feet, that exhaustion and famine, more than disease, had reduced the invalid to bis present condition on becoming aware of whloh fact, Miss Edwards grew suddenly embarrasaed.and, arranging every thing for his oomfort, was about to withdraw from tbe apartment, when Erskine beckoned to her, and, fumbling in bis pockets, brought out several pieces of white quartz,thickly studded with yellow metal.but of the value of which she had little conception. ,. "Take these to John," he said, "and tell hiin they

are

a peace-offering. They

came from el tesoro" "You have seen James Harris and be has discovered the mine?" "I have seen no one. I discovered the mine myself." "But the horse? It was Harris' horse you were riding." "I did not know .t I found him, fortunately, when I could no longer walk." "Poor Charlie," whispered Miss Edwards, moved by that womanly weakness which is always betraying tbe sex. She never knew how it was, but ber head sank on tbe pillow: and when she remembered it sfterwsrd, she was certain that in tbe confusion of her ideas, he kissed her. Tben she fled from tbe room, and sought ber brother everywhere, saying, over and over, to herself, "Poor Jluil I wonder what has happened to hintwith tears streaming from her eyea, which ahe piously attributed to apprehensions for Jamee Harris.

When John was found, and the "sp*c imens" placed In his hands, he was first Incredulous, and then Indignant for it hurts a proud man to be forced to change an opinion, or forgive an Injury. Tbe pressure of circumstances being too strong for him, be relented so far as to see Erskine, snd talk ovei the dlsoovery with him. What more the two men talked of, never transpired but Mias Edwards concluded that every thing waa settled, aa her brother gave orders concerning the entertainment of his former partner, and looked and spoke with unusual vivacity for the remainder of the day.

Many conjectures were formed concerning the late of S*ndy-baired Jim, by tbe in*n on the ranch, who generally agreed that bis bone would not leave him, snd that, If be were slive, be would be found not for from tbe spot Where Charles Erskine picked up the animal. From Eraklne's aocount it appeared that lie b-td been several weeks in the mountaina, prospecting, before be discovered the mine by which time be was so reduo-d In strength, through hardship snd insufficient food, that it was with difficulty be made his way «dwn to Ute valley. Just at a time 1 when to pressed fnrtherssemsd itnpossibis. and when be «i been Absent twodays from tbe ml on, be fell la with a riding-borae, qoietly g^si«b *t the of the mountain. OateMng nnd •ting bin oe rede Ami along tbe of the valley for some distance, to

find If possibly a party were enoa there bnt, finding no one, starthis old home, riding ss long as strength allowed, and disrnou

Sava

uite often to reat. In this way, and a half bad psssed, sin discovery of tbe mine. Judging where the bone wss fovind, must have gsne up on the other the ridge, or spur in which el was located. At all events, it w: cided to send a party to look for as whether or not any accident- hi fallen him, be was now withou means of reaching home and, to vide for any emergencies, John on the light wagon to be be taken a with certain other articles, so SUN ive ofpossible pain and calamity Miss Edwards felt her blood chil the sight of them. "He will be so disappointed.'! said, "notto have been the discof of the mine. John you must him a handsome present, and I wi what I can do, to show mv grnt for his many kindneases."

And tben, happy in the prison her lover, and the returning clu ness of he brother, Miss EdwanU got to give more than a passing tin to James Harris, while she bus tni self in the preparations for a hoi which to ber would be doubly aK veraary, ever afterward.

The clouda, which had been ins for a storm, during the past sent down a deluge or rain, on C! mas Eve, making It necessary to I Urea In the long, emp'v fire-place^

Say

lvlng a truly leativeglow to the I adornments of the Edward Ral Tbe ranch hands were dancing (4 music of the "Arkansas Traveler their separate quarters. John wards' half-dosen friends Iroin with two or three of bis sisle. the now convalescent Charles clotbed in a suit, ol borrowed cloth, were making mirth and after their more refined tashiou Edwards' parlor.

At the hour when, according dition, the Bethlehem Babe was Missouri Joe appoared at the doo* made a sign to the master of th "It's a pity like," said Joe, sot leave him out thar in the siorm.' 'Him Do you mean Harris? is he?" "The storm can't hurt him nt csntinued Joe, "an' it do not look to fetch him in yer, nor to 't! house, no more." "What is it, John?" Miss Ed' asked anxiously, looking ov shoulder into the darkness. Harris returned ''They have brought him," ansv John, "and we must bring hL here."

She shrank away, frighted an tressed, while the men brough' remained of Sand haired Jim, posited it oarefnily on a woodct in the hall. There was little to The men had found him at the fx precipice where ho had fallen. I him was a heavy nuttgoL ol pure, which he was evidently carrying he fell. He had not died immed' for in hia breast-pocket was foui bond, with this indorsement, in "I hev lit onto the mine foli-r mi the kenyou miss

Mary

edwarda Is

help me God gpodby.

JAMB HAK

Thev buried him on Christinas and Miss Edwards, smiling t\»| her quiet-flowing tears, adori coffin with evergreen-wreath flowers. "I am glad to do till lilm,"

Bhe

whispered to her loveql

if ever there was a heart into Christ waa born.at its birtb, it wi Jim's."

MOOS1ER TKACHKRS.

gingular Ideas of A rithm^tic, Qra\ ami Geography. The minds of some people in county have been much disturb* their friends being refused licci teach school. To satisfy the dist minds, tbe School Examiner of 1 county. Clarkson Davis, furnishoj through the columns ol tbe Neil Courier, the following answer* their disappointed appl cants gJ tbe questions asked them: I

Query—"What

is affectation I

Ing?" Answer—"It is affecting to scholar when be gets up to speak his words distinct and m. punctuation marks. Affection patby for the piece."

I have my class sitting, bu I one reads they rise to their feet Define sngar, sincere, calf.

A.—"1st. I can't define, core, more sincere, most sin calf, calves, and calves." ''twas defined as a person with will "salary," a sum paid fo "sugar," a mineral scissors, sizars skull, schull gnaw, pn

Location was defined us a for a term. "Presently," anytb is to take place after swhile. I» spelled Iwsy.

What is the difference betv local and simple value of a fig "I don't understand the qu

What is a cubic yard? "It is a cubic yard containl' tain number of solid inches."

One requisition was to wr Roman characters, and out of of marvelous combinations phabet I select tbe following COC.OCC.LXXIV. "Pitch ia a raising or lowo voioe. Empbaela Is placing tf tress on some words.' I "Tbe food is first mastlci tben paaaes through the plialai. "Respiration is the sweatlr body." "The cheat is forme bones, tbe sternum snd spit "The animal part can be pooling a bot.e in aacid." "The Ohio river flows nortl forms the northern boundary "The Red Sea and YHlow Europe." "Brazil is in Asia."' "The besutiful scenery and led to the dlsoovery of Amerir* number of brosd acres laying led to the discovery of Americi] "At the time of tbe discovert^ dlans were kind arid in

good

stances." "They was in a crit dition at the time of tbe dim** "Virginia obtained its name Virgin Mary." "Virginia, & by Queen Victoria calling It State."

Tbe Puritans was of po^ ter." "General Washington «d in Virginia." "Washm. Commander-in-Chief in war of afterward President."

In one instance the article parsed as a verb In the notmnr

Aw Iowa photographer hi trouble by selling pictures negative of a singularly horn# for Mrs. O'Lsary, the Chi« owner.

Ma. WHIT* experimented explosive oil," at Grafton, der to fttlly tests Its oombual perties. He is now done up snd sweet oil.

''TZUNDULATIOH SAMUBI i»«n* of a Wsstern Indian fife. ti1. W it