Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 18, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 27 October 1883 — Page 6

.•V'V.tsS

THE MAILl

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE THREE ROBES.

Siere lies across the mother's knee, And gathered In her tend, A little robe of puffs and laoe,

With an embroidered band. I see her nolle, I IMMT her sing A low, rwest lallaby: And oft I see a thought of Joy, up her bright blue eye, a robe

Light QD HT vngut win W ci 1*1Li a robe for tier dear child, trbsaw christened In I

Tot*

Siere lies across the mother's knee, And gathered In her hand, A silken robe, with paflfc ana laoe.

And an embroidered band. 91s white, and like a cloud at ere, That floats across the sky Bat oh, I hear the mother give,. 1 An oft-repeated sigh,

It is a robe for her dear child, To be wedded in.

Viere lies acros the mother's knee, And gathered in her hand, A

robe of softest wool: but It .. But It has no embroidered band. And on her cheek* so wan pale «&i The mother's tear I see,

And bear her pray, Lord give me strength! Oh! give thy strength to me I It Is a robe for her dear child,

To be buried In!

SOME TIMS.

"feme time," the bine-eyed maiden cried, •gome time I' 1 be a rich man's bride, It have his gold when he Isold,

And grandly In a ooach I'll ••Boms time," the brown-eyed maiden cried, And blushing turned her face aside, *Ood grant it me, I'll married be 1\ mm whom heaven shall provide.'*!^: the blue-eyed maiden had her way 0he married one both rich and gray, And when he died she took his pride,

But that Is all she took—they say.

if

A handsome lover came one day *r And bore the brown-eyed m*id away. Be was her life and she—hi* wife

What more is there to ask or sayT

IJProm the Author's Advance Sheets.]

Proof

Mike Patchett.

ftomance of the Gold Fields.

BY B. L. FASUEON. 1M

Author of "Blade o' Grass," "Grit," "Bread and Cheese and Kisses," "Joshna Marvel," Ac.

\"4 CHAPTER I. 1 J, AN BRA OF EXCITEMENT. |. The name of Entwhistle Brothers, Shippers, of Liverpool, was famous all flu world over. It was a fame worthily wen, for their clipper ships were the Aaeat afloat, and for speed and safety were not to be excelled. Their principal trade lay with China and Australia, and tbelr vessels were renowned for making the quiokeet passages on record small Matter for wonder, therefore, that no aae ever left a port without a full freight af goods and passengers. Sailors' sweethearts and wives were easy in their aainds when their lovers and husbands were sailing the seas in a vessel belonging to Entw^istle Brothers, and the men themselves went aboard cheerfully, without any misgivings, and worked with a will. To have served with credit im this honorable Arm was a passport to promotion it was as good as a first-class certificate.

The swiftest vessel in Entwhisle Brothers' fleet was "The Pride of the South," now on its way to Melbourne, and hourIgr expected at Port Phillip Heads.

The history of "The Pride of the South" was phenomlnal. It was built for speed, with a due regard for comfort, and had most admirably answered the expectations of its owners. Its first voy-

aeads

Ie from Plymouth to Port Phillip was made in seventy-four days, Its seoond in seventy-two, its third in sixty-nine, its fourth In sixty-three. Not had for a sailing vessel: almost enough to put steam to the blusn. The present voyage was its* fifth, and the skipper, Captain Simpson, had declared his intention to make the passage in sixty days, •r less. "What I've got to do' —such was Captain Si mpson'a declaration at the eommeucetnent of each voyage—"What t'vegottodoisto beat the last record, -and what I mean to do is to do it." Of eourse, this beating the last reoord, upon which so much value is placed nowadays, cannot go on for ever, but up to the present time Captain Simpson had kept his word.

This little bit of gasconade was par#enable in a skipper who wa? a thorough asainau, who was loved by his crew, and who, daring as he was, oould never with truth be accused of risking the safety of hfts passengers by an act or rashness.

On the Uth of October "The Pride of the 8outh" had been fifty-three days out, aot spoken with.

The Australian agents of Entwhistle Brothei were Messrs. Law and Pardon, •f Little Collins street. Melbourne, in whoae office, from morning to night, on six days of the week.a scene of continual Imatle and animation was witnessed. Unpretentious as was the building in which their business was conducted—betas, indeed, simply a structure of wood —the rent it commanded was enormous. Freehold frontages in that locality, and In all the principal streets in Melbourne, were worth fabulous sums. Land which a tew years ago could be bought for a thousand pence an acre could now be aold for a thousand pounds a foot. Tbe eolontes bad undergone a marvelous change, from poverty to affluence, from

Suaior

to splendor. A foil-flowing tide wonderful, unprecedented prosperity had set in, and cool, shrewd-headed men, who knew how to take advantage

asen, wbo knew now to case advantage

af the flood, were making rapid fortunes.

The time was a rare oae-an epoch in

history. It was tbe height of the gold lever, and gold was jpouring into the elty from twenty flourishing gold fields. Seventeen thousand ounces were brought In by theOold Bsoort tbe day before yesterday nine thousand yesterday twen-ty-three thousand ounces to-day. What wondrous possibilities might not to •sorrow bring forth! In the datk depths waiting for adventurous bands to pluck It out, lay the bright treasure which BMant home and plenty and tbe uniting af lovln and dissipation ana toe muuon or nase &

discovered a land in which labor was king. Melbourne was filled with "new chums" just arrived from England, China, Germany and America, running hither and thither in search of a lodging for a night or two, until they decided to which gold field to direct their steps with lucky miners fresh from the diggings, spending-thelr money af freely as fi it were running water, thqsjagpfr of thai which was inexhaustible with merchants and speculators buying and selling to an extent which sober-minded persons, htd tfaey not witnessed it* would nave deemed incredible with Chinamen labouring and chattering and aoreeohl like so many magpies, as, under tbe rection of their head men. who could speak a kind of pigeon English, they make their puvchssee of rice, and pots and pans, and picks and shovels, ana other requisites for the El Dorado to which they were bound: with newsboys rushing through tbe thoroughfares, screaming out at the top of their voices the particulars of new discoveries and wonderful" finds" of gold hftbe interior. Strangely diversified was the'panorama of the streets. Here stood a group consisting of father, mother, and half a dozen children, newly arrived from the old oountry, the parents gasfog pronnd in utter bewilderment, the youngsters open-eyed and full of wonderment at the new aspects of life of which they now form a pert. Here, hurrying towards thc^brush in the direction of Flem ington. were a number of sailors, runawsys from their ship, risking the chance of a prison for a turn of the gold that lay in the fields beyond. Here filed slow ly past a long string of Celestials, chil died of the moon, lit orthodox pigtail and dungaree, each couple bearing between them on their shoulders a cane of supple bamboo on which were siung provisions and tools for tbe golden march, the most comical burden of the well-to-do being an occasional pig, tied by tbe legs, ana swinging head aown wards in which position it bobbed about and squeaked like mad, in vehement protest at this reversal of thelaws of nature—or perhaps, with a direful premonition of the fate in store for him. Here, after a brush with bushrangers in the Black Forest, dashed jauntily towards the Treasury the Gold Escort,,composed of a score of mounted troopers, armed to the teeth, protecting tbe mail cart in which twenty-three thousand ounces of bright gold lay safe and snug. And what is this? A gold-diggers wedding. Eight carriages, some with four horses, some with six, lavishly decorated with wedding favors. There is the bridegroom smartly dressed in wide awake of the finest felt, corded breeches, knee boots of shining leather, scarlet flannel skirt, and sash ol yellow silk. There is the bride, in scsrlet satin, afire worshiper down to her boots, looking for all tbe world as though sue bad just stepped out of a blood-red sunrise a fat, rea-faoed wench, log in her hands, which are enln lavenper colored gloves split up the back, an enonmous bonquet of the choicest flowers. A thick gold chan is round her neck, gold bracelets are on het wiiats, an enormous gold brooch is on her breast (the device being a kangaroo and an emu,) heavy gold rings sre in her ears. Never in her wildest dreams as a scullery maid in England had she imagined such magnificence was in store for her. Tliere are her bridesmaids, some fatter and redder than she, all with feces shinning with perspiration, all dressed in silks and satins of {taming hues, and all wearing lavender colored

gilovesQueenup

Vf

split the baok.. But the bride the Sheba of tbe group. There are the male friends outrageously attired, outrageously exhilarated, outiusly noisy. The men lean forward and gesticulate energetically as they converse the women loll back in tbe carriages with fashionable affection. Oc casionally .they burst into loud fits of laughter. "I say," cries the bride. "If my old misses could see me now. she'd stare the eyes out of her head! Call herself a ladvl I'm as good as her, any day in the weekl She never had a dress like this on her back!"

They stop at every hotel, and invite the psssers by indiscriminately to drinkt These, and numberless other strikin features, some sad, some grotesque, an all picturesque, formed a panorama of life to which old countries can find no parallel.

CHAPTER II.

A VERY SUPERIOR YOUNG GENTLEMEN. On rare occasions the clerks in the of* flee of Messrs. Law and Pardon enjoyed a few hours' breathing time—as when an important vessel had just cleared out, homeward bound, and the arrival of another, with its batch of raw emigrants, was not immediately expected. This was tbe case on the morning of tbe 11th of October. There happened to be but little to do in tbe shape of work, although at any moment the firm was liable to be plunged into a fever of activity by a message fr6m the Heads that one of its ships had been sighted before its due date, and was being piloted into Hobson's Bay.

At eleven o'clook on this morning a man from the gold diggings presented himself at the counter, for tbe purpose of making oertain inquiries and transacting certain business. He was a man with a stoop, or more oorreetly speaking, with an inclination to the left, his right shoulder being the higher of tbe two. His furrowed face and forehead denoted that he had had sharp expert ence of the storms of life, but the humor ous lines about his mouth. and an occasional merry twinkle in his eves, were pleasant proofs that an originally sunny nature had not been spoilt by adversity. His iron gray hair was short and crisp, and he had none on his ohln and lips.

It was not easy to guess his age. Over forty and under sixty was as near as one ooufd say, with any degree of certainty. He wore water-tight boots, laosd at yawning intervals, an ancient cabbagetree hat, which had tbe appearanoe of having seen service for at least a genera tion, a faded scarf tied iooeelv about his neck, and a bine guernsey shirt, open at the bosom, aud tucked into stout moleskin trousers. Altogether a ahabby turnout, ill-fitting, carelessly thrown on, and caked with clay, as were his bands, especially about the knuckles and wrists. His face and neck looked as if they bad been washed in the same kind of liquid earth. An observer might reasonably have hanarded tbe sup

Mon

that he had been dipped in the thick

um 0

a puddling machine, and set in

tbAsaD

lto

#nin. .. and ebony ooiored ribbon, alternately It was an era of delicious excitement,

dry. Now and then, ae he

spoke end moved, little bite of hard day dropped from tbe crevices of his clothes and person, and when he slapped his hand upon tbe oounter in the office of Messrs. Law A Pardon quite a cloud of dust arose around IU His waist waa girdled by a buff leather belt, to which were attached two sheaths, one containing a fossicking knife,

MMother

a six-

barreled revolver. He was not. however, without gay -, adornment. He carried a whip, the

ving hearts. Or, sa «t latent, riot, handle of which waa bound, tbe whole dissipation and tbe fruition of base

length, with stripe of narrow bloe

j^^th, with strips of narrow bloe

of iu

mrr*nira

me earth was dotted witfc|Alla«Mo*: JfaJpS^hot^eoi^to hiaSS-•avas-tbe "open sesame" a pWt. whWi ^Vuirel^od planed te the brsssl of saiy man with strong armsoouM wield, u, goarneey ehirtwere three large #efc•mo at length in the warldts story wwm^Vmai, jeUow, ana whM^

after tbe fhshloo ef a stage

These flowers and the ribbon-bound whip, being of a Merry Andrew order, provoked smiles from many who saw him on tbe strests. but looked upon his fsos, and saw plainly written there an earnest and simple pride in the adornments—denoting that they were assumed from a higher motive than that of mere vanity or the desire to render himself oonspiououa—ridicule was dispelled, and the kindlier feeling took theplaoe.

Upon his entrance into the office of Messrs. Law & Pardon he did not immediately walk to the counter. On tbe walla were show bills of various ships, some about to sail and some expected to arrive, and these be gravely studied, first tme and then another, aa though pomparlng them and taking mental notes thereon. His survey finished, he strolled to the oounter and stood there in alienee.

His appearance excited no surprise among the clerks, who were acoustomed to queer looking characters in this new colony, where tte oidlnary conditions of civilised society were turned topsyturvy young scions of the English aristocracy acting as cooks and waiters, and borrowing half crowns from Tom, Dick and Harry and men who did not know the letter A from a bull's foot acting as magistrates and rolling in money.

It waa a warm day. Summer had come earlier than usual, and Melbourne bad already been visited by a hot wind. In England the woods were strewn with fallen Teavee, and the orchards were bare of fruits. In Australia it was the roseseason of the year.

No one in the office paid the slightest attention to the man. He was allowed to stand at the counter, without being asked a sinsle question as to his business with the firm.

He waa in no wise angry at this exhibition of indifference. He was content to listen to thecon vorsation of the clerks, studying their faces with a curious intentness, as if debating within himself which of the gentlemen it would suit him best to confer with. There were four clerks for him to choose.from—three of them young and fresh looking, one middle-aged, with a pimply face. This man was addressed as Spottyj a sufficiently offensive nickname, to, which, on the grounds of the applicability, be might reasonably have taken objection but he answered to it readily enough. One of the young clerks was addressed as Horace the other two as Fred and John. 8potty was a long, lanky man, with a pronounced swsgger in his movements, which proclaimed, as he intended it to be

(t

roclaimed—probably

with an idea that

conferred upon him a oertain distinction—that he Bad seen life in far different partures than that of the office of Messrs. Law and Pardon. This process of "seeing life" leaves its unmistakable marks upon men who have passed their fourth decade and are still engaged in the delectable occupation. Spotty had had a fair experience of stables and racecourses, second-class cluhj, lounging at bars, dinners at cheap French restaurants, billiards and late nights. It could easily be seen that he was up to a move or two. There was a knowing look in his eyes, add he carried a flask, to which he applied his lips about four times an hour on an average—to steady his nerves, he ssid.

Fred and John were nonentifies. Horace was the swell of the four—a human exotic. A very superior young gentleman, who went about his duties listlessly and languidly, and with no show of interest. His clothes were well made and well fitting, his hands were white and finely sbapeckand hisfgeneral bearing towards his fellow clerks was Indicative of a supercilious contempt of their society.

Fred and John submitted to this treatment without cavil, and were satisfied to oecept Horace at his own idea of his value, and to regard him as belonging to a higher oraer of being than themselves, to .associate with whom, upon any terms, was a privilege. Secretly they had set him up as a model, and oopiea his clothes, and bis affectations, and his airs and manners—achieving, as the reward of their idolatry, but a cockney kind of suocem. Spotty was inclined to accept Horace in a less devotional sense, and made constant abortive attemps to a social equality with this very superior young gentleman.

Shortly after the man from the gold diggings presented himself in tbe office, one of the partners came in from the street. "Push on, boys, push on," he said, as he made bis way to tbe principals' private room. 8potty and the nonentities became instantly very industrious upon Horace the injunction had not the slightest effect. He not only made no show of industry, but he scarcely took the trouble of acknowledging the gracious smile with which the partner had greeted him.

ngon. "it's all very

to say that when you're making twenty thousand a year but when you're working for a miserable salery, pushing on becomes an infernal tyranny." "Turn it up, then," suggested one of the nonentities. "I'll turn you up." restored Spotty, ••if you're not careful."

In a more agreeable tone he addressed Horace: ••Didn't see you at the Bulland Mouth last night, Horace." "No," drawled Horace.

The aristocratic languor of t}is voicto caused tbe man with the dahlias in his breast to regard him with closer attention. "No." "There is a very good reason," said Horace, "why you wen not Canned with a sight of me." "Favored. ehT" said Spotty,with sneering emphasis. "That is the word I used." "Oblige me with the reason, pretty boy." "I didn't happen to be there." ,ff

Fred and John laughed and winked at each other. Spotty also laughed in a weak way, and having no friend to wink at^mpathMngly, applied himself to

"Clever youth," he said, wiping his lips, "you are bright enough to put in a glass esse. This side up with cue. In what school did you learn to be so smart?" "Certainly not in tbe eobool," replied Horace^ languidly, "in which you were

The monenitles laughed Main, and one said, in an undertone, "It's ten to one on Horace."

We missed you," arid Spotty "at I did. But Idaresay you were better employed." "Gouldnt very writ be worse." "I don't know that. It's a set-off against this eternal drudgery, at all eventa. What kept you awayT I'll bet odds it waa something in the petticoat line. I can,t blame you." "Ton are exceedingly kind," murmured Bofaea,

Tbs aex before everything else," continued Spotty. "I adore It. Here & good lock to the pretty dears I" [Flask again.] "Wish I was teayean younger forttelr »y own. You've got ife» advantajs of ns, yoa laskj degf I say,

TERRS HAUTE SATOitDAY "EVMiM MATT,

Horace, if she has a sister, you might introduce me." "To which I say—asssnming that there is a she and that she has a sister—heaven forbid!" ••You need not carry it so high. My company's good enough for any one in this colony.''

Horace declined to continue the subject* "The usual crowd at the Bull and Mouth, I suppose?" "Yes: tbe room waa as full aa it could hold. Wish I had the running of it. Hazard in one corner, pitch and toss in another, roulette in another, faro hen, trenteet quorantethere, anyamonnt of whist—five guhieapoints. There was a man from Hobart Town, come over with a load of potatoes two hundred tons, worth thirty pounds a ton dropped the cargo in less than an hour, than at whole cargo jpoker. That waa a lucky haul, wasn't "For which man?" inquired Horace. "Not for tbe potato man. He almost tore tbe hair out of his head. Purkiss, the squatter, was then. You know him—ted haired man." "I've seen him." "He got it hot. It was warm work at my tame, too." "It generally is st yonr table. Was tbe Italian in your party?" "He waa—and cleared us all out—I think he must have Old Nick on his side."

Wouldn't object to have him on yours, I dare say?" "Shouldn't mind." "What game did you play?" "Loo—two guinea unlimited club law. Never had such cruel luck in my born dsys." "You don't mean to say you lost?" said one of the nonenities. "I did, though," replied Spotty. "But it isn't the losing I complain of, it's the luck—looed three times with a flush of tromps. What do you think of thai?" "It is a novelty to you to

IOBO,"

said

Horace,- quietly. "The Italian looed you, of course?" "Yes." "Ah, you met your match for once." "What do you insinuate by that?" demanded Spotty, warmly. "My dear fellow," drawled Horace, it really seemed as if he found it a trouble to speak, "1 never insinuate. 1 am not aware that I have said anything that requires explanation." "Oh," retorted Spotty, "I thought you did." "Not the first time you have thought wrong," remarked Horaoe. "Nor the last," said Spotty, magnanimously. "The best of us makes mistakes I was too hssty. My hot temper runs away with me. Shake bands."

Horace put his eyeglass to his eye and gazed with bred disdain at the hand held out to him. "Not the slightest necessity to shake hands, I assure you. Then has been no quarrel, so there's nothing to mske up. You ought to know by this time that I never quarrel it is altogether too exhausting. How much did you leave behind you—in I. O. U's. That is yqur usual currency, I believe."

Spotty seemed to swallow something that bad got into his throat before he answered "A cool hundred and thirty, and I must pay it to-night. Awkward for you you as well as for me." "In what way?" "Because I must ask you to give me that hundred and fifty I won of you Inst week. I didn't intend to press you, but when needs must, you know." "You can have a bill at six months for it," said Horaoe, smiling at the long face Spotty pulled at mention of a bill, "or, it you prefer it, a sight draft on my people at home." "Can't you manage the ready?" "Not conveniently." "The principals will advance it to you like a shot. I wish I stood as well with them as you do." "No doubt of that but there is an obstacle in tbe way." "Simply that I don't intend to ask them." "I must take the paper, then. The sight draft will be best. I can get it discounted." "There's no fear of it boing returned, eh?" ••Don't distress your amiable self." said Horaoe, disdainfully. "My people will not return my droits. They are too fond of their interesting prodigal."

A faint chuckle proceeded from tbe man with tbe dahlias, as though he detected a subtle humor in the utterances of this superior young gentleman, who looked down from the heights upon Spotty and the nonenities. The sound did not attract the practical attention of the clerks, or arrest the flow of conversation. "I wish it had been my luck." said Spotty, in an envious tone, "to be born vrith a silver spoon in my mouth." "Judninir from what I have seen of

your ca

pot at a very early pe: reer." "Well, I would have had the value, and enjoyed tbe spending of it. There's nothing mean about me. Ah, if I had a confiding pater in the old oountry to draw upon at sight, be would be used to my signature by this time." "It's pretty well known as it is," said Horaoe.

This simple observation might have, caused another breeze between Spotty and Horace bad not a voice from the inner office, in which tbe partners were closeted, called out "At what date and at what boor did •The Pride of tbe South' set sail from Plymouth?"

CHAPTER IIL

"I'M MIKB PATCHWTT VBOM PMUUBO." An expression of profound interest flashed into the face of the man who stood quietly at the coonter as he beard these words.

The clerks looked at Horace, who did not stir. "Your department, Horace," said Spotty* '"Now, then," cried the partner from the inner office. Impatiently at tbe delay, puah on, push on.

Look it up," said Horaoe to one of tbe nonentities in a tune of supreme indifference.

The nonenlty, cheerfully undertaking Horace'sduty, looked it upon thetfooks, and answered in aloud voice: "On the 19th of August, at half-past twelve p. m."

This Information, apparently, was tbe man at tbe counter's cue to speak. "An yon certain of that, young sir? he asked. "Would yer be sjreeawe. for a consideration, to take yer Bible oath on it?"

Tbe clerk glanced carelessly st the man, but did not otherwise notice him or his request.

3Si"KSZ5 iftookiii, to. Weil, it don't stand to reason that a atrip can fly like a bird. There's time enough afon me. I can wait." "How many passengers does aha canyf asked the partner front tbe inner

"Seventy-four saloon," nplied the nonenlty, "eighty second class, a hundred ana fourteen steerage." "Number-of the oww!" "Forty-two, all told. "Total number of souls abroad?" "Three hundred and ten."

No further questions b^ing asked, Spotty turned to Horaoe and ssid: "You dont forget our bete about the ship."

Haven the remotest remembrance of them." nplied Horace, producing a small betting book, with a silver clasp and silver edgings round the Russian leather coven. "They wen booked when they were made. That is satisfactory, I presume?"

Spotty also produced abetting book,

Sno

meana as elegant aa that of his low-dork. "Everything you do and say is satisfactory, sweet child," he said, consulting the entries in his nook, "but accidents and mistakee will happen in tbe beet regulated families. Let us oompare the beta. I could almoet fancy I was at Tattersall*a the Monday before tbe Derby." "Wen you a member of Tattersall's?" "Of course I was. Let me see. You bet me an even fifty that 'The Pride of theSiouth' makes the passage in fiftyeight days?" "Yee," drawled Horaoe. "Another even fifty that she makes tbe passsge infifty-«ignt djuys and twelve hours?" t«Yee#" "Seventy-five to fifty thst she makes the^assage in fifty-nine days?"

"Two fifties to one that she makes the passage in sixty days?" "Yes." "Three fifties to one that she makes the passage in sixty-one day?" "Four fifties to one that she makes the passage in sixty-two dsys??' "Yes." "If you lose all the bets you will have to hand me over six hundred and seven-ty-five pounds. Is that what you make it?' "I haven't troubled myself to tot it 1

iys

Your reckoning will satisfy me.

th your head for figures you ought to

qu

be Chancellor of the Exchequer."

Should like to be," said Spotty, with

freat

vivacity, "for justonelittle month! would mind if that month was February—leap year for ohoice. I'd show them what figures are! I'd feather my nett for tbe remainder of my days." "Doubtless," said Horace- "Upon second thoughts,with your head for figures you ought not to be Chancellor of the Exchequer?"

Spotty's pimply face was too red for sudden flush to mske any material alteration in his complexion, but a deeper shade of purple crept over hie features at the tone of contempt in which this was uttered. Again he seemed to swallow something that had got into bis throat, and wain by that simple action he conquered his resentment.. Bu£ bis equanimity was not restored till he had taken along pull at his flask. "Wnen you offered me those odds," he said "Permit me to correct you,"interrupted Horace. "When you offered to accept those odds will be nearer the facts of tbe case. 1 did not propose the bets." "It makes no difference the bets are made, and we've got to stick to them unless they're cried off. Am I right in saying that at the time they were made, you wen a little bit sprung?" "Not unlikely." "I didn't want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you "The last thing in the world," murmured Horace, "of which any man who knows you would suppose you to be capable to take advantage of me or any one." "Exactly. I offered the next morning to accept a couple of hundred and let you off the bets. You nfused. Come Horace, I don't want to be hard on you. FU take a couple of hundied now, and we'll cry the bets off." "Declined with thanks." "Do you mean to tell me," asked Spotty, with a scornful laugh, "that you have any idea of winning even one of tbe bots?^ "My dear fellow," said Horace. "I have an idea of winning tbem all. Now that you press me I declare my honest belief that it is any odds on 'The Pride of tbe South.' I look upon it as a certainty that the ship will be alongside Sandridge pier before or on tbe fiftyeighth day.' "A certainty, eh?" "That is what I said." "Ah," said Spotty, "I've lived longer in the world than you, sweet child, and I've Seen these certainties occssionslly come to grief."

Spotty being called away, the conversation oould not be continued. Two or three minutes afterwards the nonenities disappeared, presumably on business, and Horace ana tbe man with dahlias on his breast were left alone in the office. These movements accorded with tbe desire of tbe stranger. He had mentally settled with himself that Horsce was tbe clerk who could do his business for him. "A gentleman." he murmured softly, "everyinch of him." He not tbe remotest idea that this form of expression was derived from one of the grandest figures in dramatic study.

To Herace, who stood yawning within a few inches of him, he beckoned with a clayey forefinger. Horace, took no notice of him. He beckoned a seoond time with the same result a third and fourth time without meeting with recognition. The moet striking feature of this performance was that every time the man with tbe dahlias beckoned, tbe superior clerk, with exasperating Insolence,rtared him full in the face but did not otherwise acknowledge his existence.

Perceiving that a man decided course of action was necessary, tbe man leaned over tbe counter and tapped Horace gently on tbe breast with the tip of bis finger. Horace, with a handkerchief of tbe finest cambric, brushed from bis dotbes tbe few specks of dust which the clay-crusted finger had deposited upon them, and stepping forward, confronted the man. "Meant for me?" be inquired, languidly. "With your leave," said tbe man.: "Without my leave would be more correct. Is it that you wish to speak to nMf "That is it. I've been hen 'arf an hour by tbe dock," "Indeed." "Yee, 'arf an hour, to tbe minute." •'You were not askad to stop, wen you?" "No." "You could have gone away. I do not think any person would have prevented vou."

Perhaps not but It wouldn't have sooted me." •'Why mention It then?" "Right. It was on necessary. that rm complaining te didn't nurt me to stop at the counter ben, listening to the conversation atween you and the Mottemen with tbeplmpUa." "You listened, ehr' "Yes bow oould I help Itr* •Trust yon wenamuaed." "I was," ssid tbe man, enphatieslly. "What a riss you teok oat af Urn! And

how he stood it! Like a mouse, net Ilka a man. Perhspe it nays him to stand ttt I hadn't been here five minutes afore I4 made upmy mind about both en yer.* "Difficult process?" inquired Horaseu "Which?" asked the man, In a ti which was at once pusaled and plead**fc "Making up your mind," explains# Horace. "Good. One toyou. Not muc)t mist to make drivini in the 1 came grave. "Well, perhaps but give me credit for a little. I ain't a gentleman born, and I didn't bava,»e schooling—which accounts for a llmtsi of mind. But don't go too fan.

not mad^

But dont goteoras^

•nee, many a year mind to a pretty tune. lot, if yer knew the rights on it." "Spare me your family history. Writ» a book, and 111 promise to buy a eepy— I will, indeed but I'll not promise te read it."

ane. It'd oount Je«

The man laughed outright. "Me ailta a book!" beexdaimed. "That's a joke." "It might be. So before you weae Sethis oounter five minutea you mailt your mind about both of as." "I did and what I soon found oat that you're a man to be trusted." "Inferring that Spotty is not?" 4 "You never hit a naif straighter."

Complimentary to Spotty. But artfe do not trust me: I am not equal to it." "You are, and you're the man «a mm do my business lor me." you are utterly and egregtoualy mlat taken, I assure you. I am not fit to da any man 'a business for him." •7I contradiotyou there, hoping aa at fense. I know when I'm right, and l*ia right this once." ,, "Do you really insist upon H." "Yee." w* "In that case," said Horace, wearily, "what do you require?" "We most sail smooth," said the asS, "In this here business of mlne*-which» ain't common business, mind yer—wa can't work in the dark. I'm Mih* Patchett, from Pegleg." "All right," and Horace contemplated his nails which were white as snow, an# took from his pocket a dainty penknife "I've no intention of disputing yem identity." "It ain't in yer to do anything so lav, Mike Patchett, from Pegleg. Michael. Commonly called Mik( "Very interesting,'' observed Horae%. and waited wth supreme indlffereaae for further developments, employing himself meanwhile in the needless tssk of sorapfbg his nails.

CHAPTER IV**

THE MAM FROM FBGIIEQ RELATES THE BACKED NUGGET WAS FOU*D Mike Patchett watched Mr. Horaeeto operation with serious intentpess, an# did not immediately take up the threat of his story. He appeared to be waiting for Horace to give him his undivided aH tention, but it is likely, if he expects# that young gentleman to break the st* lence, or to be in anyway diverted front his occupation, that be might have wail-, ed till doomsday. "From Pegleg, you know," be wUd, presently. "Why should I know?" "I can't exactly say why—exeept^hat there is such a diggings as Pegleg. Yaa don't doubt it, my son?" "Your what?" .y, "Wrong again," said Mike Patchetl^ apologetically. "It'* away I've got. *e'"' offense meant, no offense given. Wo*give and forget, young gentreman," aa# a kindly smile rented on his lips Whisk met with no encouraging response frosa Horace. "There ain many old chaaaa in Victoria as don't know when Pegleg is. It was there, yer know, that the sacred nugget was found." "Yes."

The monosyllable wss prelonged lay Horace in listless fashion, as though sacred nuggets were as plentiful ss g«ea# berries on a gooseberry bush. "Found at the foot of Iroubark Hll three feet below the surface, fW&lNii dred and twenty-two ounces, in tha shape of a cross solid gold, with not aar ounce of quartz. You've heerd on it, & dessay." "Never heard it mentioned." "That's strange,*' said Mike Patched "I was told it got into all the paper* Well, anyways, I'm the man as found it. Me—Michael Patchett, otherwise

W

"Indeed!" But not at all roused kf, tbe information. Mike Patchett raised bis hand sudden» ly, with tbe rash intention of bringing it down heavily on tbe counter for tba purpose of compelling a more seriows attention but in tbe very act of putting his design into execution he thought better of it, and bis hand descended on tbe counter with a light touch. Apprehensive that his first impulse might hava been detected and construed to nis disadvantage, Mike Patobett, when h* hand reached the oounter, fell to and industriously rubbed a particular spat with his forefinger, eOnveylng In the aa» tion tbe expression of a burning desire to impart a particularly fine polish to aa inch or two of tbe wooden surface. "Yes," he said earnestly, "I'm tha man as found it. There it lay, shining In tbe dirt like a sign from heaven. 1 took it as a sign, my son—pardon ageing it slipped from me onaware." "It is Immaterial" said Horaee, still s$ bis nails. "You took it as a sign." "As a sign of light—that's how I taw it—aa a sign of light." om heaven, I be

believe you said,1*

"From •Yes. F-om heaven." "Did you requln it?" V? "Did Inquire which?"

said Horaoe, evidently much bored.

mlt

"The sign—or tbe light—or nolbf Otmtinued on Seventh Pafe 1 "J 'r Though numerous causes msy operate to turn the hair gray, ail that je neede# to reston tbe natural color is Mauv Vegetable Sidlian Hair renewer. more than twenty years ite —P

been enormous, but we have yet to of its first failure.

1

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