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twg_000012590000 | I must see first how the cargo is to be disposed of; after that, it will be time enough to concoct plans for the future. It is quite clear that the tide of luck is out about as far as it can go just now; perhaps it may turn soon." "No doubt of it, captain," cried his young _protege_ with | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590001 | a degree of energy that shewed he had made up his mind as to what _his_ course should be, in the event of things coming to the worst. "I'll go down and put on a few more articles of clothing, and then we'll have a talk over matters." The "talk," which was held over the breakfast-table in the cabin, resulted | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590002 | in the captain resolving to go ashore, and call on a Scotch merchant, named Thompson, to whom he had a letter of introduction. Half-an-hour later this resolve was carried out. Jones rowed them ashore in the smallest boat they had, and sculled back to the ship, leaving O'Neil with them to assist in carrying up two boxes... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590003 | to Mr Thompson. The quay on which they stood was crowded with men of all nations, whose excited looks, and tones, and "go-ahead" movements, testified to the high-pressure speed with which business in San Francisco was transacted. "It's more nor I can do to carry them two boxes at wance," said Larry O'Neil, regarding th... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590004 | sorra a porter do I see nowhere." As he spoke, a tall, gentlemanly-looking young man, in a red-flannel shirt, round-crowned wide-awake, long boots, and corduroys, stepped forward, and said, "I'll help you, if you like." "D'ye think ye can lift it!" inquired Larry, with a dubious look. The youth replied by seizing one o... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590005 | ease on his shoulder, shewing that, though destitute of fat, he had more than the average allowance of bone and sinew. "I doubt if you could do it better than that yourself, Larry," said Ned, laughing. "Come along, now, close at our heels, lest we get separated in the crowd." The young porter knew the residence of Mr T... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590006 | and guided them swiftly through the crowded thoroughfares towards it. Passing completely through the town, he led them over the brow of one of the sand-hills beyond it, and descended into a little valley, where several neat villas were scattered along the sides of a pleasant green slope, that descended towards another ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590007 | garden in front of one of these villas, he placed the box on the wooden platform before the door, and said, "This is Mr Thompson's house." There was something striking in the appearance of this young porter; he seemed much above his station in life; and Ned Sinton regarded his bronzed and handsome, but somewhat haggard... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590008 | interest, as he drew out his purse, and asked what was to pay. "Two dollars," answered the man. Ned looked up in surprise. The idea of paying eight shillings for so slight a service had never entered his imagination. At that moment the door opened, and Mr Thompson appeared, and invited them to enter. He was a shrewd, b... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590009 | with stern, but kind expression of countenance. "Come in, come in, and welcome to California," he said, on perusing the captain's letter of introduction. "Glad to see you, gentlemen. You've not had breakfast, of course; we are just about to sit down. This way," he added, throwing open the door of a comfortable and eleg... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590010 | the passage--that will do. Here, Lizette, pay the men, dear; two dollars a-piece, I fancy--" "Excuse me," interrupted Captain Bunting, "only one bas to be paid, the other is one of my sailors." "Ah! very good; which is he?" Larry O'Neil stepped forward, hat in hand. "Go in there, my man, and cook will attend to you." L... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590011 | the doorway pointed out with a pleasant, fluttering sensation at the heart, which was quickly changed to a feeling of considerable disappointment on discovering that "cook" was a negro. Meanwhile Lizette took two dollars from her purse, and bowing modestly to the strangers as she passed out of the room, advanced with t... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590012 | _not_ beautiful--few women are, in the highest sense of the term, and the few who are, are seldom interesting; but she was pretty, and sweet, and innocent, and just turned sixteen. Fortunately for the male part of the world, there are many such. She had light-brown hair, which hung in dishevelled curls all round, a sof... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590013 | and a turned-up nose--a pert little nose that said plainly, "I _will_ have my own way; now see if I don't." But the heart that animated the body to which that nose belonged, was a good, kind, earnest one; therefore, the nose having its own way was rather a blessing than otherwise to those happy individuals who dwelt ha... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590014 | the sunshine of Lizette's presence. At this particular time, ladies were scarce in California. The immense rush of men from all parts of the earth to the diggings had not been accompanied as yet by a corresponding rush of women, consequently the sight of a female face was, as it always ought to be, a source of comfort ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590015 | We say "comfort" advisedly, because life at the gold-mines was a hard, riotous, mammon-seeking, rugged, and, we regret to say it, ungodly life; and men, in whom the soft memories of "other days" were not entirely quenched, had need, sometimes, of the comforting reflection that there still existed beings on the earth wh... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590016 | swear, and wear beards, and boots, and bowie-knives. There was double cause, then, for the gaze of respectful admiration with which the young porter regarded Lizette, as she said, "Here is your fare, porter," and put the money into his hand, which he did not even thank her for, but continued to hold extended as if he w... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590017 | take it back again. Lizette did not observe the gaze, for she turned away immediately after giving him the money, and re-entered the parlour, whereupon the youth thrust both hands into his breeches-pockets, left the house, and returned slowly to the city, with the expression on his countenance of one who had seen a gho... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590018 | Sinton sat down with their host and hostess to a second breakfast, over which the former related the circumstances of the double loss of his crew and cargo. "You are unfortunate," said Mr Thompson, when the captain paused; "but there are hundreds in nearly the same predicament. Many of the fine-looking vessels you see ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590019 | there for months, the crews having taken French leave, and gone off to the diggings." "It's awkward," said the captain, with a troubled expression, as he slowly raised a square lump of pork to his mouth; "what would you advise me to do?" "Sell off the remnant of the cargo, and set up a floating boarding-house." The squ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590020 | pork disappeared, as the captain thrust it into his cheek in order to say, "What?" with a look of intense amazement. Lizette laughed inadvertently, and, feeling that this was somewhat rude, she, in her effort to escape, plunged deeper into misfortune by turning to Sinton, with a blushing countenance, and asking him to ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590021 | was obviously absurd, seeing that she had a moment before filled up his second cup. Thus suddenly appealed to, Ned stammered, "Thank you--if you--ah!--no, thank you, not any more." "Set up a floating boarding establishment," reiterated the merchant, in a tone of decision that caused them all to laugh heartily. "It may ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590022 | it's not a bad speculation. The captain of an American schooner, whose crew deserted the very day she arrived, turned his vessel into a floating boarding-house, about two months ago, and I believe he's making a fortune." "Indeed," ejaculated the captain, helping himself to another mass of pork, and accepting Lizette's ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590023 | no idea," continued the merchant, as he handed the bread to Ned, and pressed him to eat--"you have no idea of the strange state of things here just now, and the odd ways in which men make money. Owing to the rush of immigrants everything is enormously dear, and house-room is not to be had for love or money, so | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590024 | that if you were to fit up your ship for the purpose you could fill it at once. At the various hotels in the city an ordinary meal at the _table d'hote_ costs from two to three dollars--eight and twelve shillings of our money--and there are some articles that bear fabulous prices. It's a fact that eggs at this moment | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590025 | sell at a shilling each, and onions and potatoes at the same price; but then wages are enormously high. How long this state of things will last no one can tell; in the meantime, hundreds of men are making fortunes. Only the other day a ship arrived from New York, and one of the passengers, a `'cute' fellow, had brought | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590026 | out fifteen hundred copies of several newspapers, which he sold for a dollar each in less than two hours! Then, rents are tremendous. You will scarcely believe me when I tell you that the rent paid by the landlord of one of the hotels here is , dollars--about , pounds--a year, and it is but a poor building too. My | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590027 | own warehouse, which is a building of only one storey, with a front of twenty feet, is rented to me at , dollars-- pounds a year--and rents are rising." Ned and the captain leaned back in their chairs aghast at such statements, and began to entertain some doubts as to the sanity of their host; but the worthy merchant w... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590028 | a grave, quiet man, without a particle of romance in his composition, and he went on coolly telling them facts which Ned afterwards said made his hair almost stand on end, when he thought of how little money he possessed, and how much he would have to pay for the bare necessaries of life. After some further converse on... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590029 | and things in general, and on prospects at the mines, Mr Thompson said, "And now, Captain Bunting, I'll tell you what I'll do. I will go down to your ship, overhaul the cargo, and make you an offer for the whole in the lump, taking the saleable with the unsaleable. This will, at any rate, put you in funds at | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590030 | once, and enable you to follow what course seems best. Will that suit you?" "It will," said the captain, "and thank 'ee. As for turning a boardin'-house keeper, I don't think I'm cut out for it. Neither is my friend Sinton, eh?" "Certainly not," answered Ned, laughing: "we might as well become washerwomen." "You'd make... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590031 | it if you did," retorted Mr Thompson; "would they not, Lizette? you know more about these things than I do." "Indeed, I cannot tell, papa, as I do not know the capabilities of our friends in that way; but I think the few washerwomen in the city must be making fortunes, for they charge two shillings a-piece for everythi... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590032 | and small." "Now, then, gentlemen," said the merchant, rising, "if you have quite finished, we will walk down to the harbour and inspect the goods." An arch smile played round Lizette's lips as she shook hands with Ned at parting, and she seemed on the point of speaking, but checked herself. "I beg pardon," said Ned, p... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590033 | it was nothing!" said Lizette; "I was only going to remark that-- that if you set up in the washing line, I shall be happy to give you all the work I can." "Ahem!" coughed Ned gravely, "and if we should set up in the _other_ line, will you kindly come and board with us?" "Hallo, Ned, what's keeping you?" | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590034 | roared the captain. "Coming," shouted Ned, as he ran after him. "Where has Larry O'Neil gone?" "He's away down before us to have a look at the town. We shall find him, I doubt not, cruising about the quay." In a few minutes the three friends were wending their way through the crowded streets back to the shore. CHAPTER ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590035 | THE FATE OF THE ROVING BESS--GAMBLING SCENES--MR. SINTON MAKES A NEW FRIEND--LARRY O'NEIL MAKES MONEY IN STRANGE WAYS--A MURDER, AND A BEGGAR'S DEATH--NED BECOMES A POOR MAN'S HEIR. The remnant of the cargo of the _Roving Bess_ proved to be worth comparatively little--less even than had been anticipated. After a carefu... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590036 | slump" for dollars--about pounds sterling. This was a heavy blow to poor Captain Bunting, who had invested his all--the savings of many years--in the present unfortunate venture. However, his was not a nature to brood over misfortunes that could not be avoided, so he accepted the sum with the best grace he might, and b... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590037 | days in assisting the merchant to remove the bales. During this period he did not converse much with any one, but meditated seriously on the steps he ought to take. From all that he heard, it seemed impossible to procure hands to man the ship at that time, so he began to entertain serious thoughts of "taking his chance... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590038 | the diggings after all. He was by nature averse to this, however; and had nearly made up his mind to try to beat up recruits for the ship, when an event occurred that settled the matter for him rather unexpectedly. This event was the bursting out of a hurricane, or brief but violent squall, which, before assistance cou... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590039 | dragged the _Roving Bess_ from her moorings, and stranded her upon the beach, just below the town. Here was an end to sea-faring prospects. The whole of his limited capital would not have paid for a tenth part of the labour necessary to refloat the ship, so he resolved to leave her on the beach, and go to the diggings. | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590040 | Mr Thompson advised him to sell the hull, as it would fetch a good price for the sake of the timber, which at that time was much wanted in the town, but the captain had still a lurking hope that he might get his old ship afloat at some future period, and would not hear of it. "What," said he, | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590041 | "sell the _Roving Bess_, which stands _A1_ at Lloyd's, to be broken up to build gold-diggers houses? I trow not. No, no; let her lie where she is in peace." On the day after the squall, as Ned and the captain were standing on the shore regarding their late floating, and now grounded, home in sad silence, a long-legged,... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590042 | man, in dirty canvas trousers, long boots, a rough coat, and broad straw hat, with an enormous cigar in his mouth, and both hands in his trousers-pockets, walked up and accosted them. It did not require a second glance to know that he was a Yankee. "Guess that 'ere's pretty wall fixed up, stranger," he said, addressing... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590043 | pointing with his nose to the stranded vessel. "It is," answered the captain, shortly. "Fit for nothin' but firewood, I calculate." To this the captain made no reply. "I say, stranger," continued the Yankee, "I wouldn't mind to give 'e dollars for her slick off." "I don't wish to sell her," replied the captain. "Say ,"... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590044 | tell you, I _won't_ sell her." "No! Now that _is_ kurous. Will 'e loan her, then!" Here Ned whispered a few words to the captain, who nodded his head, and, turning to the Yankee, said-- "How much will you give?" "Wall, I reckon, she's too far out to drive a screamin' trade, but I don't mind sayin' dollars a month." | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590045 | After some consultation with Ned, and a little more talk with the Yankee, Captain Bunting agreed to this proposal, only stipulating that the bargain should hold good for a year, that the hull should not be cut or damaged in any way, and that the rent should be paid in advance into the hands of Mr Thompson, as he himsel... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590046 | was about to proceed to the gold-fields. Having sealed and settled this piece of business at a neighbouring tavern, where the Yankee--Major Whitlaw--ordered a "brandy-smash" for himself and two "gin-slings" for his companions, (which they civilly declined, to his intense amazement,) the contracting parties separated. "... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590047 | towards the Plaza, or principal square of the town, where some of the chief hotels and gambling-houses were situated. "I feel half sorry for havin' done it," replied the captain; "however, it can't be helped now, so I'll away to our friend Thompson's office, and tell him about it." "Then I shall wander about here until... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590048 | be dinner time at the hotels two hours hence. Suppose we meet at the Parker House, and talk over our future plans while we discuss a chop?" To this the captain agreed, and then hurried off to his friend's office, while Ned entered the hotel. A large portion of this building was rented by gamblers, who paid the enormous... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590049 | of , dollars a year for it, and carried on their villainous and degrading occupation in it night and day. The chief games played were monte and faro, but no interest attached to the games _as such_, the winning or losing of money was that which lent fascination to the play. Ned had intended to stroll through the hotel ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590050 | observe the various visitors who thronged the bar, but the crash of a brass band in the gambling-saloons awakened his curiosity, and induced him to enter. The scene that met his eyes was, perhaps, the strangest and the saddest he had ever looked upon. The large saloon was crowded with representatives of almost every ci... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590051 | Scotch, Irish, Yankees, French, Russians, Turks, Chinese, Mexicans, Indians, Malays, Jews, and negroes--all were there in their national costumes, and all were, more or less, under the fascinating influence of the reigning vice of California, and especially of San Francisco. The jargon of excited voices can neither be ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590052 | of gold and silver coin were passing from hand to hand according to varying fortune. The characteristics--and we may add the worst passions--of the various nations were ever and anon brought strongly out. The German and Spaniard laid down their money, and lost or won without a symptom of emotion; the Turk stroked his b... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590053 | of keeping himself cool; the Russian looked stolid and indifferent; the Frenchman started, frowned, swore, and occasionally clutched his concealed pistol or bowie-knife; while the Yankee stamped and swore. But, indeed, the men of all nations cursed and swore in that terrible place. Those who dwelt in the city staked go... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590054 | the mines staked gold-dust and nuggets. These last were conspicuous from their rough clothing, rugged, bronzed, and weather-worn countenances. Many of them played most recklessly. Several successful diggers staked immense sums, and either doubled or lost, in two or three throws, the hard earnings of many months of toil... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590055 | there was a counter, with a plentiful supply of stimulants to feed the excitement of the wretched gamblers; and the waiter here was kept in constant employment. Ned had never been within the unhallowed precincts of a gambling-house before, and it was with a feeling of almost superstitious dread that he approached the t... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590056 | bearded miner stepped forward at the moment and placed a huge purse of gold-dust on the table-- "Now, then," he cried, with a reckless air, "here goes--neck or nothin'." "Nothin'!" he muttered with a fearful oath, as the president raked the purse into his coffers. The man rose and strode sullenly from the room, his fin... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590057 | hilt of his bowie-knife; an action which the president observed, but heeded not, being prepared with a concealed revolver for whatever might occur. Immediately another victim stepped forward, staked five hundred dollars--and won. He staked again a thousand dollars--and won; then he rose, apparently resolved to tempt fi... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590058 | was filled by a young man who laid down the small sum of two dollars. Fortune favoured this man for a long time, and his pile of dollars gradually increased until he became over-confident and staked fully half of his gains--and lost. Ned's attention was drawn particularly to this player, whom he thought he had seen bef... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590059 | fixedly at him, he recognised the young porter who had carried up the box to the merchant's house. His next stake was again made recklessly. He laid down all he possessed-- and lost. Then he rose suddenly, and drawing a pistol from his breast, rushed towards the door. None of the players who crowded the saloon paid him... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590060 | momentary attention. It mattered not to them whether he meditated suicide or murder. They made way for him to pass, and then, closing in, were deep again in the all-absorbing game. But our hero was not thus callous. A strong feeling of sympathy filled his breast, prompting him to spring through the doorway, and catch t... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590061 | just as he gained the street. He turned round instantly, and presented the revolver at Ned's breast, but the latter caught his right arm in his powerful grasp and held it in the air. "Be calm, my poor fellow," he said, "I mean you no harm; I only wish to have a word of conversation with you. You are an | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590062 | Englishman, I perceive." The young man's head fell on his breast, and he groaned aloud. "Come, come," said Ned, releasing his arm, "don't give way like that." "I'm lost," said the youth, bitterly. "I have struggled against this passion for gaming, but it has overcome me again and again. It is vain to fight against it a... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590063 | bit of it, man," said Ned, in a cheering tone, as he drew the arm of the young man within his own, and led him slowly along the street. "You are excited just now by your disappointments. Let us walk together a while, for I have something to say to you. I am quite a stranger here, and it's a | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590064 | comfort to have a countryman to talk with." The kind words, and earnest, hearty manner of our hero, had the effect of soothing the agitated feelings of his new friend, and of winning his confidence. In the course of half-an-hour, he drew from him a brief account of his past history. His name, he said, was Collins; he w... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590065 | son of a clergyman, and had received a good education. Five years before the period of which we now write, he had left his home in England, and gone to sea, being at that time sixteen years of age. For three years he served before the mast in a South-Sea whale-ship, and then returned home to find his father and | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590066 | mother dead. Having no near relations alive, and not a sixpence in the world, he turned once more towards the sea, with a heavy heart and an empty pocket, obtained a situation as second mate in a trading vessel which was about to proceed to the Sandwich Islands. Encountering a heavy gale on the western coast of South A... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590067 | vessel was so much disabled as to be compelled to put into the harbour of San Francisco for repairs. Here the first violent attack of the gold-fever had set in. The rush of immigrants was so great, that goods of all kinds were selling at fabulous prices, and the few bales that happened to be on board the ship were | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590068 | disposed off for twenty times their value. The captain was in ecstasies, and purposed sailing immediately to the nearest civilised port for a cargo of miscellaneous goods; but the same fate befell him which afterwards befell Captain Bunting, and many hundreds of others--the crew deserted to the mines. Thereupon the cap... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590069 | leaving the ship to swing idly at her anchor. Like most of the first arrivals at the mines, Collins was very successful, and would soon--in diggers' parlance--have "made his pile,"--i.e. his fortune, had not scurvy attacked and almost killed him; compelling him to return to San Francisco in search of fresh vegetables a... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590070 | could be obtained at the mines for love or money. He recovered slowly; but living in San Francisco was so expensive that, ere his health was sufficiently recruited to enable him to return to the gold-fields, his funds were well-nigh exhausted. In order to recruit them he went, in an evil hour, to the gaming-saloons, an... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590071 | gambler. In the providence of God he had been led, some years before, to become an abstainer from all intoxicating drinks, and, remaining firm to his pledge throughout the course of his downward career, was thus saved from the rapid destruction which too frequently overtook those who to the exciting influences of gambl... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590072 | the constant mental fever under which he laboured was beginning to undermine a naturally-robust constitution, and to unstring the nerves of a well-made, powerful frame. Sometimes, when fortune favoured him, he became suddenly possessor of a large sum of money, which he squandered in reckless gaiety, often, however, fol... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590073 | of it away to companions and acquaintances in distress. At other times he had not wherewith to pay for his dinner, in which case he took the first job that offered in order to procure a few dollars. Being strong and active, he frequently went down to the quays and offered his services as a porter to any of the | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590074 | gold-hunters who were arriving in shoals from all parts of the world. It was thus, as we have seen, that he first met with Ned Sinton and his friends. All this, and a great deal more, did Ned worm out of his companion in the course of half-an-hour's stroll in the Plaza. "Now," said he, when Collins had finished, "I'm | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590075 | going to make a proposal to you. I feel very much interested in all that you have told me; to be candid with you, I like your looks, and I like your voice--in fact, I like _yourself_, and--but what's your Christian name?" "Tom," replied the other. "Very well; then I'll call you Tom in future, and you'll call me Ned. | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590076 | Now, Tom, you must come with me and Captain Bunting to the gold-fields, and try your fortune over again--nay, don't shake your head, I know what you would say, you have no money to equip yourself, and you won't be indebted to strangers, and all that sort of stuff; but that won't do, my boy. I'm not a stranger; don't | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590077 | I know all your history from first to last?" Tom Collins sighed. "Well, perhaps I don't know it all, but I know the most of it, and besides, I feel as if I had known you all my life--" "Ned," interrupted the other, in an earnest tone of voice, "I feel your kindness very much--no one has spoken to me | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590078 | as you have done since I came to the diggings--but I cannot agree to your proposal to-day. Meet me at the Parker House to-morrow, at this time, and I shall give you a final answer." "But why not give it now?" "Because--because, I want to--to get paid for a job I expect to get--" "Tom," said Ned, stopping and laying | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590079 | his hand on the shoulder of his companion, while he looked earnestly into his face, "let us begin our friendship with mutual candour. Do you not intend to make a few dollars, and then try to increase them by another throw at the gaming-table!" The youth's brow flushed slightly as he answered, "You are right, I had half... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590080 | of trying my fortune for the last time--" "Then," said Ned firmly and emphatically, "you shall do nothing of the sort. Gambling for money is a mean, pitiful, contemptible thing--don't frown, my dear fellow, I do not apply these terms to _you_, I apply them to the principle of gambling--a principle which you do not hold... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590081 | your admission, made to me not many minutes ago, that you have often striven against the temptation. Many men don't realise the full extent of the sinfulness of many of their practices, but although that renders them less culpable, it does not render them innocent, much less does it justify the evil practices. Gambling... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590082 | it, and a great deal worse; and you _must_ give it up--I insist on it. Moreover, Tom, I insist on your coming to dine with me at the Parker House. I shall introduce you to my friend Captain Bunting, whom you already know by sight--so come along." "Well, I will," said Tom, smiling at his friend's energy, but still hangi... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590083 | back; "but you must permit me to go to my lodgings first. I shall be back immediately." "Very good. Remember, we dine in the course of an hour, so be punctual." While Tom Collins hurried away to his lodgings, Ned Sinton proceeded towards the shores of the bay in a remarkably happy frame of mind, intending to pass his l... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590084 | hour in watching the thousands of interesting and amusing incidents that were perpetually taking place on the crowded quays, where the passengers from a newly-arrived brig were looking in bewildered anxiety after their luggage, and calling for porters; where traffic, by means of boats, between the fleet and the land cr... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590085 | bargained for the goods of all climes in every known tongue. While he gazed in silence at the exciting and almost bewildering scene, his attention was attracted to a group of men, among whose vociferating tones he thought he distinguished familiar voices. "That's it; here's your man, sir," cried one, bursting from the ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590086 | shoulder. "Now, then, where'll I steer to?" "Right ahead to the best hotel," answered a slim Yankee, whose black coat, patent-leather boots, and white kids, in such a place, told plainly enough that a superfine dandy had mistaken his calling. "Ay, ay, sir!" shouted Bill Jones, as he brushed past Ned, in his new capacit... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590087 | a live Yankee!" exclaimed a voice there was no mistaking, as the owner slapped Bill on the shoulder. "He'll make yer fortin', av ye only stick by him. He's just cut out for the diggin's, av his mother wos here to take care of him." Larry O'Neil gave a chuckle, slapped his pockets, and cut an elephantine caper, as he | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590088 | turned from contemplating the retreating figure of his shipmate's employer, and advanced towards the end of the quay. "Now, thin, who's nixt?" cried he, holding out both arms, and looking excited, as if he were ready to carry off any individual bodily in his arms to any place, for mere love, without reference to money.... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590089 | Tshoo dollars a mile for anythin' onder a ton, an' yerself on the top of it for four! Horoo, Mister Sinton, darlint, is it yerself? Och, but this is the place intirely--goold and silver for the axin' a'most! Ah, ye needn't grin. Look here!" Larry plunged both hands into the pockets of his trousers, and pulled them fort... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590090 | half and quarter dollars, with a few shining little nuggets of gold interspersed among them. Ned opened his eyes in amazement, and, taking his excited comrade apart from the crowd, asked how he had come by so much money. "Come by it!" he exclaimed; "ye could come by twice the sum, av ye liked. Sure, didn't I find that ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590091 | wos chargin' tshoo dollars--aiqual to eight shillin's, I'm towld--for carryin' a box or portmanter the length o' me fut; so I turns porter all at wance, an' faix I made six dollars in less nor an hour. But as I was comin' back, I says to myself, says I, `Larry, ye'll be the better of a small glass o' somethin'--eh!' | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590092 | So in I goes to a grog-shop, and faix I had to pay half-a-dollar for a thimbleful o' brandy, bad luck to them, as would turn the stomik o' a pig. I almost had a round wi' the landlord; but they towld me it wos the same iverywhere. So I wint and had another in the nixt shop I sees, | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590093 | jist to try; and it was thrue. Then a Yankee spies my knife,--the great pig-sticker that Bob Short swopped wi' me for my junk o' plum-duff off the Cape. It seems they've run out o' sich articles just at this time, and would give handfuls o' goold for wan. So says I, `Wot'll ye give?' "`Three dollars, I guess,' says | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590094 | wan. "`Four,' says another; `he's chaitin' ye.' "`Four's bid,' says I, mountin' on a keg o' baccy, and howldin up the knife; `who says more? It's the rale steel, straight from Manchester or Connaught, I misremimber which. Warranted to cut both ways, av ye only turn the idge round, and shove with a will.' "I begood in j... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590095 | they took me up in arnest, an' run up the price to twinty dollars--four pounds, as sure as me name's Larry--before I know'd where I wos. I belave I could ha' got forty for it, but I hadn't the heart to ax more, for it wasn't worth a brass button." "You've made a most successful beginning, Larry. Have you any | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590096 | more knives like that one?" "Sorrow a wan--more's the pity. But that's only a small bit o' me speckilations. I found six owld newspapers in the bottom o' me chist, and, would ye belave it, I sowld 'em, ivery wan, for half-a-dollar the pace; and I don't rightly know how much clear goold I've got by standin' all mornin' ... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590097 | the post-office." "Standing at the post-office! What do you mean?" "Nother more or less nor what I say. I suppose ye know the mail's comed in yisterday morning; so says I to myself this mornin', `Ye've got no livin' sowl in the owld country that's likely to write to ye, but ye better go, for all that, an' ax if | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590098 | there's letters. Maybe there is; who knows?' So away I wint, and sure enough I found a row o' men waitin' for their letters; so I crushes for'ard--och! but I thought they'd ha' hung me on the spot,--and I found it was a rule that `first come first sarved--fair play and no favour.' They wos all standin' wan behind anoth... | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
twg_000012590099 | in a line half-a-mile long av it wos a fut, as patient as could be; some readin' the noosepapers, and some drinkin' coffee and tay and grog, that wos sowld by men as went up an' down the line the whole mornin'. So away I goes to the end o' the line, an' took my place, detarmined to stand it | 60 | gutenberg | unknown |
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