Digging for Gold

dependence, Mo., was at that time the usual starting-point for overland emigrants, and it was to this point that the little party directed their course. Mr. Cooper started with tw

quantity of rice, crackers, and smaller articles, for they were going thro

s rather more than two thousand miles, and such were the difficulties of the way that they only averaged about fifteen miles

ntervals, partly for the preparation of meals and p

r, a fire having been kindled about fifty feet from the wagon, when steps were heard, and a singular looking figure emerged from the underb

iends," he said. "Do not be

oper l

" he said. "That is, n

en wandering for days, almost fa

live abo

n my way to

lone,

rised a week since by a party of Cheyenne

per turn

ans so bloodt

l our supplies, and I have been living on what I could

said Mrs. Cooper hospitably. "

he stranger, clasping his hands. "I

sir?" asked the bl

sius Sil

a strang

onsible for it. We do n

re are y

from I

in busin

veries of gold in California, I gathered up, with difficulty, money enough for the jour

t when supper was ready he ate nearly t

man?" he asked, wit

is Grant

sighed Dionysius. "He was strong and

ooked like you," was Tom

f disease?" ask

Mr. Silverthorn wiped his eyes with a dirty red silk h

, s

ication to me if you would

rwhelmed by this un

but you are a stranger, and

o Mr. Silverthorn's request, but it occurred to him that it would be abou

. He had a habit of sighing. "My friend"-here he add

n I get t

ou, perchan

too high-toned for

will

ave no t

e was another l

ound the fire, to rest and ch

nysius, "you would be surprised if I s

ke it now," said T

six years ago I was worth

f I am worth as mu

ose it?" asked

py to think that when I was rich I contributed to every 82good work. I gave a thousand dollars to the church in my town. I gave five thousand dollars as a fund

see where you got so much mon

his money. He had been a miser, and never took any notice of me, so it was a g

die and leave me fifty th

y be you

t one uncle living, and he's as poor as Jo

d Dionysius meekly. "I have been rich and now I

ery good man," whispe

ged his s

h stock in him,"

e rest of your party were destroyed b

ecome fatigued and drowsy. I was absent for an hour and a half, as well as I can estimate. When I returned to the camp, w

all ki

e dismantled tent, I saw a human arm wh

whose it wa

ut your age, who doubtless had excited

kerchief to his eyes and sobbed, o

said. "They are a tribute

d you try to find out where the

been no good. I w

done it!" said

of you, for you are

you kn

o confess that I am chicken-hearted. I am afraid I am a coward. It is not a

not the right kind of a man to

o myself. But I hoped to retrieve my fortunes, and in m

had much enco

meeting with your friendly party. And

?" asked th

ld make me happy to be with you. The sight of that boy, who remin

ression of his face showed that t

" he answered briefly. "I canno