The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 19 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

300 DIGGING FOR GOLD. A STORY OF CALIFORNIA.* BY HORATIO ALGER, JR. CHAPTER XVII. AN UNPLEASANT ADVENTURE. “¢ OUPLE of whiskies—straight—for me and the kid,” ordered Grants companion, as he came to a standstill in front of the bar. ** None for me!" said Grant quickly. But all the sametwo glasses were set out and the bottle placed beside them. ‘* Pour it out!’ said the miner to the barkeeper. boy will get away.” The barkeeper, with a smile, followed directions, and the two glasses were filled. The miner tossed his off at a single gulp, but Grant left his standing. ‘Why don't you drink, boy ?”*’ demanded his companion with an oath. “ T told you I wouldn't,” said Grant angrily. ‘We'll see if you won't,” said the miner, and seizing the glass he attempted tq pour it down Grant’s throat, but his arm was unsteady from the potations he had already indulged in, and the whisky was spilled, partly on the floor and partly on the boy’s clothes. Grant seized this opportunity to dash out of the saloon with the miner after him. Fortunately for him, Bill Turner, as he called himself, tripped and fell, lying prostrate for a: moment, an interval which Grant im- proved to so good purpose that by the time the miner was again on his feet he was well out of harm's way. ‘“T thought the drinking habit was bad enough at home,” thought Grant, ‘‘ but no one ever tried to wake me drink before.” And now we will go back and see how it fared with Mr. Cooper. Some quarter of a mile from the Metropolitan Hotel and Kestaurant his attention was drawn toa blacksmith’s shop. That was his own line of business, and he felt a curiosity to interview his California brother workman. Entering he saw astout, black bearded man in the act of shoeing a horse. ** Good morning, friend,” he said. ** Good morning, stranger!” ‘© T thought I'd take a look in, as you are in my line of business.” Ts that so?” asked the blacksmith, looking up with interest. ‘‘ How long since you arrived ?”’ ‘* Just got in this morning.” ‘¢ Going to stay in Sacramento ?” ‘¢T am ready for anything that will bring money. go to the mines.” “Humph! Why not buy me out and carry on your old business in Sacramento ?” “Do you want to sell ?” asked Jerry Cooper, surprised. ‘Ves; I] wantalittle change. I might go to the mines myself.” ‘Can't you make money blacksmithing ?"” asked Cooper cautiously. ‘Yes: that isn’t my reason. I haven't seen anything of the country yet. L bought out this shop as soon as I reached Sacramento, and I've been at work steady. I want a change.” ‘* Hlow well does it pay you ?”’ ' IT get big prices, A dollar for a single shoe—and I have all I can do. Why, hew much money do you think I have made since I took the shop, a year since ?” * Tecan't tell.” “ve laid up three thousand dollars, besides paying all expenses.” ‘You don't say so!” exclaimed the blacksmith, impressed. “Yess I shan’t make as much money at the mines probably, but it'll be a chanye, and not so hard work.” “Then you want to sell out?” Yes,” 3 “What will vou take ?” ‘ A thousand dollars. That buys the shop, too. ‘¢Tt may be, but I haven't the money.” ‘T will take half cash, and a mortgage for the balance.” ‘¢ Suppose I bought, is there a house near by where I can live ?” “What family have you ?” ‘I'm afraid the I suppose I shall It’s dirt cheap.” egun in No. 4380 of THE ARGOSY. THE ARGOSY ‘‘ A wife and son ; but I suppose Tom will want to go to the mines.” ‘* There is a cabin across the street with three rooms. It is empty. You can hire it for fifty dollars a month, likely.” ‘* Fifty dollars a month for a cabin with three rooms!” ejaculated Cooper. ‘* Yes ; or you can buy it for five hundred dollars, I expect.” ‘* Seems to me prices are pretty steep in Sacramento.” ‘So they are ; but you can get rich faster than at home, in spite of the high prices.” ‘‘ Well, that’s a consideration, certainly. give me to consider your offer ?"” ‘Till tomorrow.” ‘Til let you know by that time.” Jerry Cooper walked away in a state of excitement. He felt that he would rather stay in Sacramento and carry on his own old business, with which he was thoroughly acquainted, than undertake gold mining, of which he knew nothing. He was a man of fifty, and was not so enter- prising as he had been when half the age. ‘* It seems a good chance,” he reflected. money ?” He had five hundred dollars left, perhaps more; but al! this would have to be paid down for the shop, without leaving anything to provide for his family in the interval before he got to earning an income. ‘If I only had the money I would take the shop,” he said to him- self. ‘* I wonder if I could borrow any. I might send home for some, but it would come too late,” He walked slowly back to the hotel and restaurant. In front of it Mrs. Cooper was waiting for him. ‘* Pm glad you’ve come, father,” she said. ‘* I was afraid you would be gone all day.” ‘* Were you discontented, mother ?” ‘*No; it isn’t that ; but I’ve had an offer for the wagon and oxen.” ‘* You have ?” ‘““ Yes; quarter of an hour after you went away a man came in and inquired of the landlord who owned the team. He was referred to me, and asked if I wanted to sell. I told him I didn't know what your plan might be, but finally he offered me eight hundred dollars, or a thousand if Dobbin were thrown in.” ‘* You should have accepted,” exclaimed her husband excitedly. ‘‘I didn't dare to. I didn’t know what you would say. But he's coming back again, and—— There he is!” Fifteen minutes later the bargain was struck and the money paid, cash down, ‘“'That settles it!" decided the blacksmith. Stay in Sacramento." How much time will you ‘* But how will I get the ‘* Mother and I will CHAPTER XVIII. A TRUE FRIEND. HE next morning, as Grant was enjoying a few minutes’ rest, breakfast being over, he was surprised by the entrance of Giles Crosmont. It seemed pleasant to see a familiar face. ‘‘Y am glad to see you, Mr. Crosmont,” he said warmly. you have breakfast ?” ‘No; Iam staying at the hotel and have already breakfasted. I have come in to see you.” ‘‘T am very glad to see you, sir, I was afraid we would not meet again. How did you know where to find me?” : ‘“T met Tom Cooper on the street early this morning.” ‘Tom has gone to the mines.” ‘So hetold me. That is, he told me he was to start this mornirg. You intended to po to the mines, did you not ?” “ Yes, sir.” ‘Then why didn’t you go ?” ‘ T hadn’t money enough,” answered Grant candidly. ‘That needn’t have prevented your going.” Grant looked inquiringly at Mr. Crosmont. ‘T mean that I would have lent you a hundred dollars. That would have been enough, wouldn’t it ?” ‘It would have been ample. You are very kind, Mr. Crosmont.” “Why shouldn't Ibe? I have more money than I know what to do with.” ‘ Bue 1 mignt never have been able to repay you." ‘‘T would have taken the risk of that. Besides, to be frank, I should have intended the money as a gift, not a loan.” “Will comiclooolkks