第7章
CHAPTERXLI。
CaptainNyewasveryillindeed，withspasmodicrheumatism。Buttheoldgentlemanwashimself——whichistosay，hewaskind-heartedandagreeablewhencomfortable，butasingularlyviolentwild-catwhenthingsdidnotgowell。Hewouldbesmilingalongpleasantlyenough，whenasuddenspasmofhisdiseasewouldtakehimandhewouldgooutofhissmileintoaperfectfury。Hewouldgroanandwailandhowlwiththeanguish，andfilluptheoddchinkswiththemostelaborateprofanitythatstrongconvictionsandafinefancycouldcontrive。Withfairopportunityhecouldswearverywellandhandlehisadjectiveswithconsiderablejudgment；butwhenthespasmwasonhimitwaspainfultolistentohim，hewassoawkward。However，Ihadseenhimnurseasickmanhimselfandputuppatientlywiththeinconveniencesofthesituation，andconsequentlyIwaswillingthatheshouldhavefulllicensenowthathisownturnhadcome。Hecouldnotdisturbme，withallhisravingandranting，formymindhadworkonhand，anditlaboredondiligently，nightandday，whethermyhandswereidleoremployed。Iwasalteringandamendingtheplansformyhouse，andthinkingovertheproprietyofhavingthebillard-roomintheattic，insteadofonthesamefloorwiththedining-room；also，Iwastryingtodecidebetweengreenandbluefortheupholsteryofthedrawing-room，for，althoughmypreferencewasblueIfeareditwasacolorthatwouldbetooeasilydamagedbydustandsunlight；likewisewhileIwascontenttoputthecoachmaninamodestlivery，Iwasuncertainaboutafootman——Ineededone，andwasevenresolvedtohaveone，butwishedhecouldproperlyappearandperformhisfunctionsoutoflivery，forIsomewhatdreadedsomuchshow；andyet，inasmuchasmylategrandfatherhadhadacoachmanandsuchthings，butnoliveries，Ifeltratherdrawntobeathim；——orbeathisghost，atanyrate；IwasalsosystematizingtheEuropeantrip，andmanagedtogetitalllaidout，astorouteandlengthoftimetobedevotedtoit——
everything，withoneexception——namely，whethertocrossthedesertfromCairotoJerusalempercamel，orgobyseatoBeirut，andthencedownthroughthecountrypercaravan。MeantimeIwaswritingtothefriendsathomeeveryday，instructingthemconcerningallmyplansandintentions，anddirectingthemtolookupahandsomehomesteadformymotherandagreeuponapriceforitagainstmycoming，andalsodirectingthemtosellmyshareoftheTennesseelandandtendertheproceedstothewidows"andorphans"fundofthetypographicalunionofwhichIhadlongbeenamemberingoodstanding。[ThisTennesseelandhadbeeninthepossessionofthefamilymanyyears，andpromisedtoconferhighfortuneuponussomeday；itstillpromisesit，butinalessviolentway。]
WhenIhadbeennursingtheCaptainninedayshewassomewhatbetter，butveryfeeble。Duringtheafternoonweliftedhimintoachairandgavehimanalcoholicvaporbath，andthensetaboutputtinghimonthebedagain。Wehadtobeexceedinglycareful，fortheleastjarproducedpain。GardinerhadhisshouldersandIhislegs；inanunfortunatemomentIstumbledandthepatientfellheavilyonthebedinanagonyoftorture。Ineverheardamanswearsoinmylife。Heravedlikeamaniac，andtriedtosnatcharevolverfromthetable——butIgotit。
Heorderedmeoutofthehouse，andsworeaworldofoathsthathewouldkillmewhereverhecaughtmewhenhegotonhisfeetagain。Itwassimplyapassingfury，andmeantnothing。Iknewhewouldforgetitinanhour，andmaybebesorryforit，too；butitangeredmealittle，atthemoment。Somuchso，indeed，thatIdeterminedtogobacktoEsmeralda。Ithoughthewasabletogetalongalone，now，sincehewasonthewarpath。Itooksupper，andassoonasthemoonrose，beganmynine-milejourney，onfoot。
Evenmillionairesneedednohorses，inthosedays，foramerenine-milejauntwithoutbaggage。
AsI“raisedthehill“overlookingthetown，itlackedfifteenminutesoftwelve。Iglancedatthehilloverbeyondthecanyon，andinthebrightmoonlightsawwhatappearedtobeabouthalfthepopulationofthevillagemassedonandaroundtheWideWestcroppings。Myheartgaveanexultingbound，andIsaidtomyself，“Theyhavemadeanewstriketo-
night——andstruckitricherthanever，nodoubt。”Istartedoverthere，butgaveitup。Isaidthe“strick“wouldkeep，andIhadclimbedhillenoughforonenight。Iwentondownthroughthetown，andasIwaspassingalittleGermanbakery，awomanranoutandbeggedmetocomeinandhelpher。Shesaidherhusbandhadafit。Iwentin，andjudgedshewasright——heappearedtohaveahundredofthem，compressedintoone。
TwoGermanswerethere，tryingtoholdhim，andnotmakingmuchofasuccessofit。Iranupthestreethalfablockorsoandroutedoutasleepingdoctor，broughthimdownhalfdressed，andwefourwrestledwiththemaniac，anddoctored，drenchedandbledhim，formorethananhour，andthepoorGermanwomandidthecrying。Hegrewquiet，now，andthedoctorandIwithdrewandlefthimtohisfriends。
Itwasalittleafteroneo"clock。AsIenteredthecabindoor，tiredbutjolly，thedingylightofatallowcandlerevealedHigbie，sittingbythepinetablegazingstupidlyatmynote，whichheheldinhisfingers，andlookingpale，old，andhaggard。Ihalted，andlookedathim。Helookedatme，stolidly。Isaid:
“Higbie，what——whatisit?“
“We"reruined——wedidn"tdothework——THEBLINDLEAD"SRELOCATED！“
Itwasenough。Isatdownsick，grieved——broken-hearted，indeed。A
minutebefore，Iwasrichandbrimfulofvanity；Iwasapaupernow，andverymeek。Wesatstillanhour，busywiththought，busywithvainanduselessself-upbraidings，busywith“Whydidn"tIdothis，andwhydidn"tIdothat，“butneitherspokeaword。Thenwedroppedintomutualexplanations，andthemysterywasclearedaway。ItcameoutthatHigbiehaddependedonme，asIhadonhim，andasbothofushadontheforeman。Thefollyofit！ItwasthefirsttimethateverstaidandsteadfastHigbiehadleftanimportantmattertochanceorfailedtobetruetohisfullshareofaresponsibility。
Buthehadneverseenmynotetillthismoment，andthismomentwasthefirsttimehehadbeeninthecabinsincethedayhehadseenmelast。
He，also，hadleftanoteforme，onthatsamefatalafternoon——hadriddenuponhorseback，andlookedthroughthewindow，andbeinginahurryandnotseeingme，hadtossedthenoteintothecabinthroughabrokenpane。Hereitwas，onthefloor，whereithadremainedundisturbedforninedays:
“Don"tfailtodotheworkbeforethetendaysexpire。W。
haspassedthroughandgivenmenotice。IamtojoinhimatMonoLake，andweshallgoonfromthereto-night。Hesayshewillfinditthistime，sure。CAL。”
“W。”meantWhiteman，ofcourse。Thatthriceaccursed“cement！“
Thatwasthewayofit。Anoldminer，likeHigbie，couldnomorewithstandthefascinationofamysteriousminingexcitementlikethis“cement“foolishness，thanhecouldrefrainfromeatingwhenhewasfamishing。Higbiehadbeendreamingaboutthemarvelouscementformonths；andnow，againsthisbetterjudgment，hehadgoneoffand“takenthechances“onmykeepingsecureamineworthamillionundiscoveredcementveins。Theyhadnotbeenfollowedthistime。Hisridingoutoftowninbroaddaylightwassuchacommon-placethingtodothatithadnotattractedanyattention。Hesaidtheyprosecutedtheirsearchinthefastnessesofthemountainsduringninedays，withoutsuccess；theycouldnotfindthecement。Thenaghastlyfearcameoverhimthatsomethingmighthavehappenedtopreventthedoingofthenecessaryworktoholdtheblindlead(thoughindeedhethoughtsuchathinghardlypossible)，andforthwithhestartedhomewithallspeed。HewouldhavereachedEsmeraldaintime，buthishorsebrokedownandhehadtowalkagreatpartofthedistance。AndsoithappenedthatashecameintoEsmeraldabyoneroad，Ientereditbyanother。Hiswasthesuperiorenergy，however，forhewentstraighttotheWideWest，insteadofturningasideasIhaddone——andhearrivedthereaboutfiveortenminutestoolate！
The“notice“wasalreadyup，the“relocation“ofourminecompletedbeyondrecall，andthecrowdrapidlydispersing。Helearnedsomefactsbeforehelefttheground。Theforemanhadnotbeenseenaboutthestreetssincethenightwehadlocatedthemine——atelegramhadcalledhimtoCaliforniaonamatteroflifeanddeath，itwassaid。Atanyratehehaddonenoworkandthewatchfuleyesofthecommunityweretakingnoteofthefact。Atmidnightofthiswofultenthday，theledgewouldbe“relocatable，“andbyeleveno"clockthehillwasblackwithmenpreparedtodotherelocating。ThatwasthecrowdIhadseenwhenI
fanciedanew“strike“hadbeenmade——idiotthatIwas。
[Wethreehadthesamerighttorelocatetheleadthatotherpeoplehad，providedwewerequickenough。]Asmidnightwasannounced，fourteenmen，dulyarmedandreadytobacktheirproceedings，putuptheir“notice“andproclaimedtheirownershipoftheblindlead，underthenewnameofthe“Johnson。”ButA。D。Allenourpartner(theforeman)putinasuddenappearanceaboutthattime，withacockedrevolverinhishand，andsaidhisnamemustbeaddedtothelist，orhewould“thinouttheJohnsoncompanysome。”Hewasamanly，splendid，determinedfellow，andknowntobeasgoodashisword，andthereforeacompromisewaseffected。Theyputinhisnameforahundredfeet，reservingtothemselvesthecustomarytwohundredfeeteach。Suchwasthehistoryofthenight"sevents，asHigbiegatheredfromafriendonthewayhome。
HigbieandIclearedoutonanewminingexcitementthenextmorning，gladtogetawayfromthesceneofoursufferings，andafteramonthortwoofhardshipanddisappointment，returnedtoEsmeraldaoncemore。
ThenwelearnedthattheWideWestandtheJohnsoncompanieshadconsolidated；thatthestock，thusunited，comprisedfivethousandfeet，orshares；thattheforeman，apprehendingtiresomelitigation，andconsideringsuchahugeconcernunwieldy，hadsoldhishundredfeetforninetythousanddollarsingoldandgonehometotheStatestoenjoyit。
Ifthestockwasworthsuchagallantfigure，withfivethousandsharesinthecorporation，itmakesmedizzytothinkwhatitwouldhavebeenworthwithonlyouroriginalsixhundredinit。Itwasthedifferencebetweensixhundredmenowningahouseandfivethousandowningit。Wewouldhavebeenmillionairesifwehadonlyworkedwithpickandspadeonelittledayonourpropertyandsosecuredourownership！
Itreadslikeawildfancysketch，buttheevidenceofmanywitnesses，andlikewisethatoftheofficialrecordsofEsmeraldaDistrict，iseasilyobtainableinproofthatitisatruehistory。IcanalwayshaveittosaythatIwasabsolutelyandunquestionablyworthamilliondollars，once，fortendays。
Ayearagomyesteemedandineverywayestimableoldmillionairepartner，Higbie，wrotemefromanobscurelittleminingcampinCaliforniathatafternineortenyearsofbuffetingsandhardstriving，hewasatlastinapositionwherehecouldcommandtwenty-fivehundreddollars，andsaidhemeanttogointothefruitbusinessinamodestway。
HowsuchathoughtwouldhaveinsultedhimthenightwelayinourcabinplanningEuropeantripsandbrownstonehousesonRussianHill！
CHAPTERXLII。
Whattodonext?
Itwasamomentousquestion。Ihadgoneoutintotheworldtoshiftformyself，attheageofthirteen(formyfatherhadendorsedforfriends；
andalthoughheleftusasumptuouslegacyofprideinhisfineVirginianstockanditsnationaldistinction，IpresentlyfoundthatIcouldnotliveonthatalonewithoutoccasionalbreadtowashitdownwith)。Ihadgainedalivelihoodinvariousvocations，buthadnotdazzledanybodywithmysuccesses；stillthelistwasbeforeme，andtheamplestlibertyinthematterofchoosing，providedIwantedtowork——whichIdidnot，afterbeingsowealthy。Ihadoncebeenagroceryclerk，foroneday，buthadconsumedsomuchsugarinthattimethatIwasrelievedfromfurtherdutybytheproprietor；saidhewantedmeoutside，sothathecouldhavemycustom。Ihadstudiedlawanentireweek，andthengivenitupbecauseitwassoprosyandtiresome。Ihadengagedbrieflyinthestudyofblacksmithing，butwastedsomuchtimetryingtofixthebellowssothatitwouldblowitself，thatthemasterturnedmeadriftindisgrace，andtoldmeIwouldcometonogood。Ihadbeenabookseller"sclerkforawhile，butthecustomersbotheredmesomuchIcouldnotreadwithanycomfort，andsotheproprietorgavemeafurloughandforgottoputalimittoit。Ihadclerkedinadrugstorepartofasummer，butmyprescriptionswereunlucky，andweappearedtosellmorestomachpumpsthansodawater。SoIhadtogo。Ihadmadeofmyselfatolerableprinter，undertheimpressionthatIwouldbeanotherFranklinsomeday，butsomehowhadmissedtheconnectionthusfar。TherewasnoberthopenintheEsmeraldaUnion，andbesidesIhadalwaysbeensuchaslowcompositorthatIlookedwithenvyupontheachievementsofapprenticesoftwoyears"standing；andwhenItooka“take，“foremenwereinthehabitofsuggestingthatitwouldbewanted“sometimeduringtheyear。”
IwasagoodaverageSt。LouisandNewOrleanspilotandbynomeansashamedofmyabilitiesinthatline；wagesweretwohundredandfiftydollarsamonthandnoboardtopay，andIdidlongtostandbehindawheelagainandneverroamanymore——butIhadbeenmakingsuchanassofmyselflatelyingrandiloquentlettershomeaboutmyblindleadandmyEuropeanexcursionthatIdidwhatmanyandmanyapoordisappointedminerhaddonebefore；said“Itisalloverwithmenow，andIwillnevergobackhometobepitied——andsnubbed。”Ihadbeenaprivatesecretary，asilverminerandasilvermilloperative，andamountedtolessthannothingineach，andnow——
Whattodonext?
IyieldedtoHigbie"sappealsandconsentedtotrytheminingoncemore。
Weclimbedfaruponthemountainsideandwenttoworkonalittlerubbishyclaimofoursthathadashaftoniteightfeetdeep。HigbiedescendedintoitandworkedbravelywithhispicktillhehadloosenedupadealofrockanddirtandthenIwentdownwithalong-handledshovel(themostawkwardinventionyetcontrivedbyman)tothrowitout。
Youmustbracetheshovelforwardwiththesideofyourkneetillitisfull，andthen，withaskilfultoss，throwitbackwardoveryourleftshoulder。Imadethetoss，andlandedthemessjustontheedgeoftheshaftanditallcamebackonmyheadanddownthebackofmyneck。
Ineversaidaword，butclimbedoutandwalkedhome。IinwardlyresolvedthatIwouldstarvebeforeIwouldmakeatargetofmyselfandshootrubbishatitwithalong-handledshovel。
Isatdown，inthecabin，andgavemyselfuptosolidmisery——sotospeak。NowinpleasanterdaysIhadamusedmyselfwithwritingletterstothechiefpaperoftheTerritory，theVirginiaDailyTerritorialEnterprise，andhadalwaysbeensurprisedwhentheyappearedinprint。
Mygoodopinionoftheeditorshadsteadilydeclined；foritseemedtomethattheymighthavefoundsomethingbettertofillupwiththanmyliterature。IhadfoundaletterinthepostofficeasIcamehomefromthehillside，andfinallyIopenedit。Eureka！[IneverdidknowwhatEurekameant，butitseemstobeasproperawordtoheaveinasanywhennootherthatsoundsprettyoffers。]ItwasadeliberateoffertomeofTwenty-FiveDollarsaweektocomeuptoVirginiaandbecityeditoroftheEnterprise。
Iwouldhavechallengedthepublisherinthe“blindlead“days——Iwantedtofalldownandworshiphim，now。Twenty-FiveDollarsaweek——itlookedlikebloatedluxury——afortuneasinfulandlavishwasteofmoney。
ButmytransportscooledwhenIthoughtofmyinexperienceandconsequentunfitnessfortheposition——andstraightway，ontopofthis，mylongarrayoffailuresroseupbeforeme。YetifIrefusedthisplaceImustpresentlybecomedependentuponsomebodyformybread，athingnecessarilydistastefultoamanwhohadneverexperiencedsuchahumiliationsincehewasthirteenyearsold。Notmuchtobeproudof，sinceitissocommon——butthenitwasallIhadtobeproudof。SoI
wasscaredintobeingacityeditor。Iwouldhavedeclined，otherwise。
Necessityisthemotherof“takingchances。”Idonotdoubtthatif，atthattime，IhadbeenofferedasalarytotranslatetheTalmudfromtheoriginalHebrew，Iwouldhaveaccepted——albeitwithdiffidenceandsomemisgivings——andthrownasmuchvarietyintoitasIcouldforthemoney。
IwentuptoVirginiaandentereduponmynewvocation。Iwasarustylookingcityeditor，Iamfreetoconfess——coatless，slouchhat，bluewoolenshirt，pantaloonsstuffedintoboot-tops，whiskeredhalfdowntothewaist，andtheuniversalnavyrevolverslungtomybelt。ButI
securedamoreChristiancostumeanddiscardedtherevolver。
Ihadneverhadoccasiontokillanybody，noreverfeltadesiretodoso，buthadwornthethingindeferencetopopularsentiment，andinorderthatImightnot，byitsabsence，beoffensivelyconspicuous，andasubjectofremark。Buttheothereditors，andalltheprinters，carriedrevolvers。Iaskedthechiefeditorandproprietor(Mr。Goodman，Iwillcallhim，sinceitdescribeshimaswellasanynamecoulddo)forsomeinstructionswithregardtomyduties，andhetoldmetogoallovertownandaskallsortsofpeopleallsortsofquestions，makenotesoftheinformationgained，andwritethemoutforpublication。Andheadded:
“Neversay"Welearn"so-and-so，or"Itisreported，or"Itisrumored，"
or"Weunderstand"so-and-so，butgotoheadquartersandgettheabsolutefacts，andthenspeakoutandsay"Itisso-and-so。”Otherwise，peoplewillnotputconfidenceinyournews。Unassailablecertainlyisthethingthatgivesanewspaperthefirmestandmostvaluablereputation。”
Itwasthewholethinginanut-shell；andtothisdaywhenIfindareportercommencinghisarticlewith“Weunderstand，“Igatherasuspicionthathehasnottakenasmuchpainstoinformhimselfasheoughttohavedone。Imoralizewell，butIdidnotalwayspractisewellwhenIwasacityeditor；Iletfancygettheupperhandoffacttoooftenwhentherewasadearthofnews。Icanneverforgetmyfirstday"sexperienceasareporter。Iwanderedabouttownquestioningeverybody，boringeverybody，andfindingoutthatnobodyknewanything。Attheendoffivehoursmynotebookwasstillbarren。IspoketoMr。Goodman。Hesaid:
“Danusedtomakeagoodthingoutofthehaywagonsinadrytimewhentherewerenofiresorinquests。AretherenohaywagonsinfromtheTruckee?Ifthereare，youmightspeakoftherenewedactivityandallthatsortofthing，inthehaybusiness，youknow。
Itisn"tsensationalorexciting，butitfillsupandlooksbusinesslike。”
Icanvassedthecityagainandfoundonewretchedoldhaytruckdragginginfromthecountry。ButImadeaffluentuseofit。Imultiplieditbysixteen，broughtitintotownfromsixteendifferentdirections，madesixteenseparateitemsoutofit，andgotupsuchanothersweatabouthayasVirginiaCityhadneverseenintheworldbefore。
Thiswasencouraging。Twononpareilcolumnshadtobefilled，andIwasgettingalong。Presently，whenthingsbegantolookdismalagain，adesperadokilledamaninasaloonandjoyreturnedoncemore。Ineverwassogladoveranymeretriflebeforeinmylife。Isaidtothemurderer:
“Sir，youareastrangertome，butyouhavedonemeakindnessthisdaywhichIcanneverforget。Ifwholeyearsofgratitudecanbetoyouanyslightcompensation，theyshallbeyours。Iwasintroubleandyouhaverelievedmenoblyandatatimewhenallseemeddarkanddrear。Countmeyourfriendfromthistimeforth，forIamnotamantoforgetafavor。”
IfIdidnotreallysaythattohimIatleastfeltasortofitchingdesiretodoit。Iwroteupthemurderwithahungryattentiontodetails，andwhenitwasfinishedexperiencedbutoneregret——namely，thattheyhadnothangedmybenefactoronthespot，sothatIcouldworkhimuptoo。
NextIdiscoveredsomeemigrantwagonsgoingintocampontheplazaandfoundthattheyhadlatelycomethroughthehostileIndiancountryandhadfaredratherroughly。Imadethebestoftheitemthatthecircumstancespermitted，andfeltthatifIwerenotconfinedwithinrigidlimitsbythepresenceofthereportersoftheotherpapersIcouldaddparticularsthatwouldmakethearticlemuchmoreinteresting。
However，IfoundonewagonthatwasgoingontoCalifornia，andmadesomejudiciousinquiriesoftheproprietor。WhenIlearned，throughhisshortandsurlyanswerstomycross-questioning，thathewascertainlygoingonandwouldnotbeinthecitynextdaytomaketrouble，Igotaheadoftheotherpapers，forItookdownhislistofnamesandaddedhispartytothekilledandwounded。Havingmorescopehere，IputthiswagonthroughanIndianfightthattothisdayhasnoparallelinhistory。
Mytwocolumnswerefilled。WhenIreadthemoverinthemorningIfeltthatIhadfoundmylegitimateoccupationatlast。Ireasonedwithinmyselfthatnews，andstirringnews，too，waswhatapaperneeded，andI
feltthatIwaspeculiarlyendowedwiththeabilitytofurnishit。
Mr。GoodmansaidthatIwasasgoodareporterasDan。Idesirednohighercommendation。Withencouragementlikethat，IfeltthatIcouldtakemypenandmurderalltheimmigrantsontheplainsifneedbeandtheinterestsofthepaperdemandedit。
CHAPTERXLIII。
However，asIgrewbetteracquaintedwiththebusinessandlearnedtherunofthesourcesofinformationIceasedtorequiretheaidoffancytoanylargeextent，andbecameabletofillmycolumnswithoutdivergingnoticeablyfromthedomainoffact。
Istruckupfriendshipswiththereportersoftheotherjournals，andweswapped“regulars“witheachotherandthuseconomizedwork。“Regulars“
arepermanentsourcesofnews，likecourts，bullionreturns，“clean-ups“
atthequartzmills，andinquests。Inasmuchaseverybodywentarmed，wehadaninquestabouteveryday，andsothisdepartmentwasnaturallysetdownamongthe“regulars。”Wehadlivelypapersinthosedays。MygreatcompetitoramongthereporterswasBoggsoftheUnion。Hewasanexcellentreporter。Onceinthreeorfourmonthshewouldgetalittleintoxicated，butasageneralthinghewasawaryandcautiousdrinkeralthoughalwaysreadytotamperalittlewiththeenemy。Hehadtheadvantageofmeinonething；hecouldgetthemonthlypublicschoolreportandIcouldnot，becausetheprincipalhatedtheEnterprise。
Onesnowynightwhenthereportwasdue，IstartedoutsadlywonderinghowIwasgoingtogetit。Presently，afewstepsupthealmostdesertedstreetIstumbledonBoggsandaskedhimwherehewasgoing。
“Aftertheschoolreport。”
“I"llgoalongwithyou。”
“No，sir。I"llexcuseyou。”
“Justasyousay。”
Asaloon-keeper"sboypassedbywithasteamingpitcherofhotpunch，andBoggssnuffedthefragrancegratefully。HegazedfondlyaftertheboyandsawhimstartuptheEnterprisestairs。Isaid:
“Iwishyoucouldhelpmegetthatschoolbusiness，butsinceyoucan"t，ImustrunuptotheUnionofficeandseeifIcangetthemtoletmehaveaproofofitaftertheyhavesetitup，thoughIdon"tbegintosupposetheywill。Goodnight。”
“Holdonaminute。Idon"tmindgettingthereportandsittingaroundwiththeboysalittle，whileyoucopyit，ifyou"rewillingtodropdowntotheprincipal"swithme。”
“Nowyoutalklikearationalbeing。Comealong。”
Weplowedacoupleofblocksthroughthesnow，gotthereportandreturnedtoouroffice。Itwasashortdocumentandsooncopied。
MeantimeBoggshelpedhimselftothepunch。Igavethemanuscriptbacktohimandwestartedouttogetaninquest，forweheardpistolshotsnearby。Wegottheparticularswithlittlelossoftime，foritwasonlyaninferiorsortofbar-roommurder，andoflittleinteresttothepublic，andthenweseparated。Awayatthreeo"clockinthemorning，whenwehadgonetopressandwerehavingarelaxingconcertasusual——
forsomeoftheprintersweregoodsingersandothersgoodperformersontheguitarandonthatatrocitytheaccordion——theproprietoroftheUnionstrodeinanddesiredtoknowifanybodyhadheardanythingofBoggsortheschoolreport。Westatedthecase，andallturnedouttohelphuntforthedelinquent。Wefoundhimstandingonatableinasaloon，withanoldtinlanterninonehandandtheschoolreportintheother，haranguingagangofintoxicatedCornishminersontheiniquityofsquanderingthepublicmoneysoneducation“whenhundredsandhundredsofhonesthard-workingmenareliterallystarvingforwhiskey。”[Riotousapplause。]Hehadbeenassistinginaregalspreewiththosepartiesforhours。Wedraggedhimawayandputhimtobed。
OfcoursetherewasnoschoolreportintheUnion，andBoggsheldmeaccountable，thoughIwasinnocentofanyintentionordesiretocompassitsabsencefromthatpaperandwasassorryasanyonethatthemisfortunehadoccurred。
Butwewereperfectlyfriendly。Thedaythattheschoolreportwasnextdue，theproprietorofthe“Genessee“minefurnishedusabuggyandaskedustogodownandwritesomethingabouttheproperty——averycommonrequestandonealwaysgladlyaccededtowhenpeoplefurnishedbuggies，forwewereasfondofpleasureexcursionsasotherpeople。Induetimewearrivedatthe“mine“——nothingbutaholeinthegroundninetyfeetdeep，andnowayofgettingdownintoitbutbyholdingontoaropeandbeingloweredwithawindlass。Theworkmenhadjustgoneoffsomewheretodinner。IwasnotstrongenoughtolowerBoggs"sbulk；soItookanunlightedcandleinmyteeth，madealoopformyfootintheendoftherope，imploredBoggsnottogotosleeporletthewindlassgetthestartofhim，andthenswungoutovertheshaft。Ireachedthebottommuddyandbruisedabouttheelbows，butsafe。Ilitthecandle，madeanexaminationoftherock，selectedsomespecimensandshoutedtoBoggstohoistaway。Noanswer。Presentlyaheadappearedinthecircleofdaylightawayaloft，andavoicecamedown:
“Areyouallset?“
“Allset——hoistaway。”
“Areyoucomfortable?“
“Perfectly。”
“Couldyouwaitalittle?“
“Ohcertainly——noparticularhurry。”
“Well——goodby。”
“Why?Whereareyougoing?“
“Aftertheschoolreport！“
Andhedid。Istaiddownthereanhour，andsurprisedtheworkmenwhentheyhauledupandfoundamanontheropeinsteadofabucketofrock。
Iwalkedhome，too——fivemiles——uphill。Wehadnoschoolreportnextmorning；buttheUnionhad。
Sixmonthsaftermyentryintojournalismthegrand“flushtimes“ofSilverlandbegan，andtheycontinuedwithunabatedsplendorforthreeyears。Alldifficultyaboutfillingupthe“localdepartment“ceased，andtheonlytroublenowwashowtomakethelengthenedcolumnsholdtheworldofincidentsandhappeningsthatcametoourliteraryneteveryday。Virginiahadgrowntobethe“livest“town，foritsageandpopulation，thatAmericahadeverproduced。Thesidewalksswarmedwithpeople——tosuchanextent，indeed，thatitwasgenerallynoeasymattertostemthehumantide。Thestreetsthemselveswerejustascrowdedwithquartzwagons，freightteamsandothervehicles。Theprocessionwasendless。Sogreatwasthepack，thatbuggiesfrequentlyhadtowaithalfanhourforanopportunitytocrosstheprincipalstreet。Joysatoneverycountenance，andtherewasaglad，almostfierce，intensityineveryeye，thattoldofthemoney-gettingschemesthatwereseethingineverybrainandthehighhopethatheldswayineveryheart。Moneywasasplentyasdust；everyindividualconsideredhimselfwealthy，andamelancholycountenancewasnowheretobeseen。Thereweremilitarycompanies，firecompanies，brassbands，banks，hotels，theatres，“hurdy-
gurdyhouses，“wide-opengamblingpalaces，politicalpow-wows，civicprocessions，streetfights，murders，inquests，riots，awhiskeymilleveryfifteensteps，aBoardofAldermen，aMayor，aCitySurveyor，aCityEngineer，aChiefoftheFireDepartment，withFirst，SecondandThirdAssistants，aChiefofPolice，CityMarshalandalargepoliceforce，twoBoardsofMiningBrokers，adozenbreweriesandhalfadozenjailsandstation-housesinfulloperation，andsometalkofbuildingachurch。The“flushtimes“wereinmagnificentflower！Largefire-proofbrickbuildingsweregoingupintheprincipalstreets，andthewoodensuburbswerespreadingoutinalldirections。Townlotssoareduptopricesthatwereamazing。
Thegreat“Comstocklode“stretcheditsopulentlengthstraightthroughthetownfromnorthtosouth，andeverymineonitwasindiligentprocessofdevelopment。Oneoftheseminesaloneemployedsixhundredandseventy-fivemen，andinthematterofelectionstheadagewas，“asthe"GouldandCurry"goes，sogoesthecity。”Laboringmen"swageswerefourandsixdollarsaday，andtheyworkedinthree“shifts“organgs，andtheblastingandpickingandshovelingwentonwithoutceasing，nightandday。
The“city“ofVirginiaroostedroyallymidwayupthesteepsideofMountDavidson，seventhousandtwohundredfeetabovethelevelofthesea，andintheclearNevadaatmospherewasvisiblefromadistanceoffiftymiles！Itclaimedapopulationoffifteenthousandtoeighteenthousand，andalldaylonghalfofthislittlearmyswarmedthestreetslikebeesandtheotherhalfswarmedamongthedriftsandtunnelsofthe“Comstock，“hundredsoffeetdownintheearthdirectlyunderthosesamestreets。Oftenwefeltourchairsjar，andheardthefaintboomofablastdowninthebowelsoftheearthundertheoffice。
Themountainsidewassosteepthattheentiretownhadaslanttoitlikearoof。Eachstreetwasaterrace，andfromeachtothenextstreetbelowthedescentwasfortyorfiftyfeet。Thefrontsofthehouseswerelevelwiththestreettheyfaced，buttheirrearfirstfloorswereproppedonloftystilts；amancouldstandatarearfirstfloorwindowofaCstreethouseandlookdownthechimneysoftherowofhousesbelowhimfacingDstreet。Itwasalaboriousclimb，inthatthinatmosphere，toascendfromDtoAstreet，andyouwerepantingandoutofbreathwhenyougotthere；butyoucouldturnaroundandgodownagainlikeahousea-fire——sotospeak。Theatmospherewassorarified，onaccountofthegreataltitude，thatone"sbloodlaynearthesurfacealways，andthescratchofapinwasadisasterworthworryingabout，forthechanceswerethatagrievouserysipelaswouldensue。Buttooffsetthis，thethinatmosphereseemedtocarryhealingtogunshotwounds，andtherefore，tosimplyshootyouradversarythroughbothlungswasathingnotlikelytoaffordyouanypermanentsatisfaction，forhewouldbenearlycertaintobearoundlookingforyouwithinthemonth，andnotwithanoperaglass，either。
FromVirginia"sairysituationonecouldlookoveravast，far-reachingpanoramaofmountainrangesanddeserts；andwhetherthedaywasbrightorovercast，whetherthesunwasrisingorsetting，orflaminginthezenith，orwhethernightandthemoonheldsway，thespectaclewasalwaysimpressiveandbeautiful。OveryourheadMountDavidsonlifteditsgraydome，andbeforeandbelowyouaruggedcanyonclovethebattlementedhills，makingasombregatewaythroughwhichasoft-tinteddesertwasglimpsed，withthesilverthreadofariverwindingthroughit，borderedwithtreeswhichmanymilesofdistancediminishedtoadelicatefringe；
andstillfurtherawaythesnowymountainsroseupandstretchedtheirlongbarriertothefilmyhorizon——farenoughbeyondalakethatburnedinthedesertlikeafallensun，thoughthat，itself，layfiftymilesremoved。Lookfromyourwindowwhereyouwould，therewasfascinationinthepicture。Atrareintervals——butveryrare——therewerecloudsinourskies，andthenthesettingsunwouldgildandflushandglorifythismightyexpanseofscenerywithabewilderingpompofcolorthatheldtheeyelikeaspellandmovedthespiritlikemusic。
CHAPTERXLIV。
Mysalarywasincreasedtofortydollarsaweek。ButIseldomdrewit。
Ihadplentyofotherresources，andwhatweretwobroadtwenty-dollargoldpiecestoamanwhohadhispocketsfullofsuchandacumbersomeabundanceofbrighthalfdollarsbesides?[PapermoneyhasnevercomeintouseonthePacificcoast。]Reportingwaslucrative，andeverymaninthetownwaslavishwithhismoneyandhis“feet。”Thecityandallthegreatmountainsidewereriddledwithminingshafts。Thereweremoreminesthanminers。True，nottenofthesemineswereyieldingrockworthhaulingtoamill，buteverybodysaid，“Waittilltheshaftgetsdownwheretheledgecomesinsolid，andthenyouwillsee！“Sonobodywasdiscouraged。Thesewerenearlyall“wildcat“mines，andwhollyworthless，butnobodybelieveditthen。The“Ophir，“the“Gould&
Curry，“the“Mexican，“andothergreatminesontheComstockleadinVirginiaandGoldHillwereturningouthugepilesofrichrockeveryday，andeverymanbelievedthathislittlewildcatclaimwasasgoodasanyonthe“mainlead“andwouldinfalliblybeworthathousanddollarsafootwhenhe“gotdownwhereitcameinsolid。”Poorfellow，hewasblessedlyblindtothefactthatheneverwouldseethatday。Sothethousandwildcatshaftsburroweddeeperanddeeperintotheearthdaybyday，andallmenwerebesidethemselveswithhopeandhappiness。Howtheylabored，prophesied，exulted！Surelynothinglikeitwaseverseenbeforesincetheworldbegan。Everyoneofthesewildcatmines——notmines，butholesinthegroundoverimaginarymines——wasincorporatedandhadhandsomelyengraved“stock“andthestockwassalable，too。Itwasboughtandsoldwithafeverishavidityintheboardseveryday。Youcouldgouponthemountainside，scratcharoundandfindaledge(therewasnolackofthem)，putupa“notice“withagrandiloquentnameinit，startashaft，getyourstockprinted，andwithnothingwhatevertoprovethatyourminewasworthastraw，youcouldputyourstockonthemarketandselloutforhundredsandeventhousandsofdollars。Tomakemoney，andmakeitfast，wasaseasyasitwastoeatyourdinner。
Everymanowned“feet“infiftydifferentwildcatminesandconsideredhisfortunemade。Thinkofacitywithnotonesolitarypoormaninit！
Onewouldsupposethatwhenmonthaftermonthwentbyandstillnotawildcatmine(bywildcatImean，ingeneralterms，anyclaimnotlocatedonthemothervein，i。e。，the“Comstock“)yieldedatonofrockworthcrushing，thepeoplewouldbegintowonderiftheywerenotputtingtoomuchfaithintheirprospectiveriches；buttherewasnotathoughtofsuchathing。Theyburrowedaway，boughtandsold，andwerehappy。
Newclaimsweretakenupdaily，anditwasthefriendlycustomtorunstraighttothenewspaperoffices，givethereporterfortyorfifty“feet，“andgetthemtogoandexaminethemineandpublishanoticeofit。Theydidnotcareafigwhatyousaidaboutthepropertysoyousaidsomething。Consequentlywegenerallysaidawordortwototheeffectthatthe“indications“weregood，orthattheledgewas“sixfeetwide，“
orthattherock“resembledtheComstock“(andsoitdid——butasageneralthingtheresemblancewasnotstartlingenoughtoknockyoudown)。Iftherockwasmoderatelypromising，wefollowedthecustomofthecountry，usedstrongadjectivesandfrothedatthemouthasifaverymarvelinsilverdiscoverieshadtranspired。Iftheminewasa“developed“one，andhadnopayoretoshow(andofcourseithadn"t)，wepraisedthetunnel；saiditwasoneofthemostinfatuatingtunnelsintheland；driveledanddriveledaboutthetunneltillweranentirelyoutofecstasies——butneversaidawordabouttherock。Wewouldsquanderhalfacolumnofadulationonashaft，oranewwirerope，oradressedpinewindlass，orafascinatingforcepump，andclosewithaburstofadmirationofthe“gentlemanlyandefficientSuperintendent“ofthemine——butneverutterawhisperabouttherock。Andthosepeoplewerealwayspleased，alwayssatisfied。Occasionallywepatchedupandvarnishedourreputationfordiscriminationandstern，undeviatingaccuracy，bygivingsomeoldabandonedclaimablastthatoughttohavemadeitsdrybonesrattle——andthensomebodywouldseizeitandsellitonthefleetingnotorietythusconferreduponit。
Therewasnothingintheshapeofaminingclaimthatwasnotsalable。
Wereceivedpresentsof“feet“everyday。Ifweneededahundreddollarsorso，wesoldsome；ifnot，wehoardeditaway，satisfiedthatitwouldultimatelybeworthathousanddollarsafoot。Ihadatrunkabouthalffullof“stock。”Whenaclaimmadeastirinthemarketandwentuptoahighfigure，IsearchedthroughmypiletoseeifIhadanyofitsstock——andgenerallyfoundit。
Thepricesroseandfellconstantly；butstillafalldisturbeduslittle，becauseathousanddollarsafootwasourfigure，andsowewerecontenttoletitfluctuateasmuchasitpleasedtillitreachedit。
Mypileofstockwasnotallgiventomebypeoplewhowishedtheirclaims“noticed。”Atleasthalfofitwasgivenmebypersonswhohadnothoughtofsuchathing，andlookedfornothingmorethanasimpleverbal“thankyou；“andyouwerenotevenobligedbylawtofurnishthat。
Ifyouarecomingupthestreetwithacoupleofbasketsofapplesinyourhands，andyoumeetafriend，younaturallyinvitehimtotakeafew。ThatdescribestheconditionofthingsinVirginiainthe“flushtimes。”Everymanhadhispocketsfullofstock，anditwastheactualcustomofthecountrytopartwithsmallquantitiesofittofriendswithouttheasking。
Veryoftenitwasagoodideatoclosethetransactioninstantly，whenamanofferedastockpresenttoafriend，fortheofferwasonlygoodandbindingatthatmoment，andifthepricewenttoahighfigureshortlyafterwardtheprocrastinationwasathingtoberegretted。Mr。Stewart(Senator，now，fromNevada)onedaytoldmehewouldgivemetwentyfeetof“Justis“stockifIwouldwalkovertohisoffice。Itwasworthfiveortendollarsafoot。Iaskedhimtomaketheoffergoodfornextday，asIwasjustgoingtodinner。Hesaidhewouldnotbeintown；soI
riskeditandtookmydinnerinsteadofthestock。Withintheweekthepricewentuptoseventydollarsandafterwardtoahundredandfifty，butnothingcouldmakethatmanyield。Isupposehesoldthatstockofmineandplacedtheguiltyproceedsinhisownpocket。[Myrevengewillbefoundintheaccompanyingportrait。]Imetthreefriendsoneafternoon，whosaidtheyhadbeenbuying“Overman“stockatauctionateightdollarsafoot。OnesaidifIwouldcomeuptohisofficehewouldgivemefifteenfeet；anothersaidhewouldaddfifteen；thethirdsaidhewoulddothesame。ButIwasgoingafteraninquestandcouldnotstop。Afewweeksafterwardtheysoldalltheir“Overman“atsixhundreddollarsafootandgenerouslycamearoundtotellmeaboutit——andalsotourgemetoacceptofthenextforty-fivefeetofitthatpeopletriedtoforceonme。
Theseareactualfacts，andIcouldmakethelistalongoneandstillconfinemyselfstrictlytothetruth。Manyatimefriendsgaveusasmuchastwenty-fivefeetofstockthatwassellingattwenty-fivedollarsafoot，andtheythoughtnomoreofitthantheywouldofofferingaguestacigar。Thesewere“flushtimes“indeed！Ithoughttheyweregoingtolastalways，butsomehowIneverwasmuchofaprophet。
Toshowwhatawildspiritpossessedtheminingbrainofthecommunity，Iwillremarkthat“claims“wereactually“located“inexcavationsforcellars，wherethepickhadexposedwhatseemedtobequartzveins——andnotcellarsinthesuburbs，either，butintheveryheartofthecity；
andforthwithstockwouldbeissuedandthrownonthemarket。Itwassmallmatterwhothecellarbelongedto——the“ledge“belongedtothefinder，andunlesstheUnitedStatesgovernmentinterfered(inasmuchasthegovernmentholdstheprimaryrighttominesofthenoblemetalsinNevada——oratleastdidthen)，itwasconsideredtobehisprivilegetoworkit。Imagineastrangerstakingoutaminingclaimamongthecostlyshrubberyinyourfrontyardandcalmlyproceedingtolaywastethegroundwithpickandshovelandblastingpowder！IthasbeenoftendoneinCalifornia。InthemiddleofoneoftheprincipalbusinessstreetsofVirginia，aman“located“aminingclaimandbeganashaftonit。HegavemeahundredfeetofthestockandIsolditforafinesuitofclothesbecauseIwasafraidsomebodywouldfalldowntheshaftandsuefordamages。Iownedinanotherclaimthatwaslocatedinthemiddleofanotherstreet；andtoshowhowabsurdpeoplecanbe，that“EastIndia“
stock(asitwascalled)soldbrisklyalthoughtherewasanancienttunnelrunningdirectlyundertheclaimandanymancouldgointoitandseethatitdidnotcutaquartzledgeoranythingthatremotelyresembledone。
Oneplanofacquiringsuddenwealthwasto“salt“awildcatclaimandselloutwhiletheexcitementwasup。Theprocesswassimple。
Theschemerlocatedaworthlessledge，sunkashaftonit，boughtawagonloadofrich“Comstock“ore，dumpedaportionofitintotheshaftandpiledtherestbyitsside，aboveground。Thenheshowedthepropertytoasimpletonandsoldittohimatahighfigure。Ofcoursethewagonloadofrichorewasallthatthevictimevergotoutofhispurchase。
Amostremarkablecaseof“salting“wasthatofthe“NorthOphir。”
Itwasclaimedthatthisveinwasaremoteextension“oftheoriginal“Ophir，“avaluablemineonthe“Comstock。”ForafewdayseverybodywastalkingabouttherichdevelopmentsintheNorthOphir。Itwassaidthatityieldedperfectlypuresilverinsmall，solidlumps。Iwenttotheplacewiththeowners，andfoundashaftsixoreightfeetdeep，inthebottomofwhichwasabadlyshatteredveinofdull，yellowish，unpromisingrock。Onewouldassoonexpecttofindsilverinagrindstone。Wegotoutapanoftherubbishandwasheditinapuddle，andsureenough，amongthesedimentwefoundhalfadozenblack，bullet-
lookingpelletsofunimpeachable“native“silver。Nobodyhadeverheardofsuchathingbefore；sciencecouldnotaccountforsuchaqueernovelty。Thestockrosetosixty-fivedollarsafoot，andatthisfiguretheworld-renownedtragedian，McKeanBuchanan，boughtacommandinginterestandpreparedtoquitthestageoncemore——hewasalwaysdoingthat。Andthenittranspiredthattheminehadbeen“salted“——andnotinanyhackneyedway，either，butinasingularlybold，barefacedandpeculiarlyoriginalandoutrageousfashion。Ononeofthelumpsof“native“silverwasdiscoveredthemintedlegend，“TEDSTATESOF，“andthenitwasplainlyapparentthattheminehadbeen“salted“withmeltedhalf-dollars！Thelumpsthusobtainedhadbeenblackenedtilltheyresemblednativesilver，andwerethenmixedwiththeshatteredrockinthebottomoftheshaft。Itisliterallytrue。Ofcoursethepriceofthestockatoncefelltonothing，andthetragedianwasruined。ButforthiscalamitywemighthavelostMcKeanBuchananfromthestage。
CHAPTERXLV。
The“flushtimes“heldbravelyon。Somethingovertwoyearsbefore，Mr。
Goodmanandanotherjourneymanprinter，hadborrowedfortydollarsandsetoutfromSanFranciscototrytheirfortunesinthenewcityofVirginia。TheyfoundtheTerritorialEnterprise，apoverty-strickenweeklyjournal，gaspingforbreathandlikelytodie。Theyboughtit，type，fixtures，good-willandall，forathousanddollars，onlongtime。
Theeditorialsanctum，news-room，press-room，publicationoffice，bed-
chamber，parlor，andkitchenwereallcompressedintooneapartmentanditwasasmallone，too。Theeditorsandprinterssleptonthefloor，aChinamandidtheircooking，andthe“imposing-stone“wasthegeneraldinnertable。Butnowthingswerechanged。Thepaperwasagreatdaily，printedbysteam；therewerefiveeditorsandtwenty-threecompositors；
thesubscriptionpricewassixteendollarsayear；theadvertisingrateswereexorbitant，andthecolumnscrowded。Thepaperwasclearingfromsixtotenthousanddollarsamonth，andthe“EnterpriseBuilding“wasfinishedandreadyforoccupation——astatelyfireproofbrick。Everydayfromfiveallthewayuptoelevencolumnsof“live“advertisementswereleftoutorcrowdedintospasmodicandirregular“supplements。”
The“Gould&Curry“companywereerectingamonsterhundred-stampmillatacostthatultimatelyfelllittleshortofamilliondollars。Gould&
Currystockpaidheavydividends——ararething，andanexperienceconfinedtothedozenorfifteenclaimslocatedonthe“mainlead，“the“Comstock。”TheSuperintendentoftheGould&Currylived，rentfree，inafinehousebuiltandfurnishedbythecompany。Hedroveafinepairofhorseswhichwereapresentfromthecompany，andhissalarywastwelvethousanddollarsayear。Thesuperintendentofanotherofthegreatminestraveledingrandstate，hadasalaryoftwenty-eightthousanddollarsayear，andinalawsuitinafterdaysclaimedthathewastohavehadonepercent。onthegrossyieldofthebullionlikewise。
Moneywaswonderfullyplenty。Thetroublewas，nothowtogetit，——buthowtospendit，howtolavishit，getridofit，squanderit。AndsoitwasahappythingthatjustatthisjuncturethenewscameoverthewiresthatagreatUnitedStatesSanitaryCommissionhadbeenformedandmoneywaswantedforthereliefofthewoundedsailorsandsoldiersoftheUnionlanguishingintheEasternhospitals。RightontheheelsofitcamewordthatSanFranciscohadrespondedsuperblybeforethetelegramwashalfadayold。Virginiaroseasoneman！ASanitaryCommitteewashurriedlyorganized，anditschairmanmountedavacantcartinCstreetandtriedtomaketheclamorousmultitudeunderstandthattherestofthecommitteewereflyinghitherandthitherandworkingwithalltheirmightandmain，andthatifthetownwouldonlywaitanhour，anofficewouldbeready，booksopened，andtheCommissionpreparedtoreceivecontributions。Hisvoicewasdrownedandhisinformationlostinaceaselessroarofcheers，anddemandsthatthemoneybereceivednow——
theysworetheywouldnotwait。Thechairmanpleadedandargued，but，deaftoallentreaty，menplowedtheirwaythroughthethrongandrainedchecksofgoldcoinintothecartandskurriedawayformore。Handsclutchingmoney，werethrustaloftoutofthejambymenwhohopedthiseloquentappealwouldcleavearoadtheirstrugglingscouldnotopen。
TheveryChinamenandIndianscaughttheexcitementanddashedtheirhalfdollarsintothecartwithoutknowingorcaringwhatitwasallabout。
Womenplungedintothecrowd，trimlyattired，foughttheirwaytothecartwiththeircoin，andemergedagain，byandby，withtheirapparelinastateofhopelessdilapidation。ItwasthewildestmobVirginiahadeverseenandthemostdeterminedandungovernable；andwhenatlastitabateditsfuryanddispersed，ithadnotapennyinitspocket。
Touseitsownphraseology，itcamethere“flush“andwentaway“busted。”
Afterthat，theCommissiongotitselfintosystematicworkingorder，andforweeksthecontributionsflowedintoitstreasuryinagenerousstream。Individualsandallsortsoforganizationslevieduponthemselvesaregularweeklytaxforthesanitaryfund，graduatedaccordingtotheirmeans，andtherewasnotanothergranduniversaloutbursttillthefamous“SanitaryFlourSack“cameourway。Itshistoryispeculiarandinteresting。Aformerschoolmateofmine，bythenameofReuelGridley，waslivingatthelittlecityofAustin，intheReeserivercountry，atthistime，andwastheDemocraticcandidateformayor。
HeandtheRepublicancandidatemadeanagreementthatthedefeatedmanshouldbepubliclypresentedwithafifty-poundsackofflourbythesuccessfulone，andshouldcarryithomeonhisshoulder。Gridleywasdefeated。Thenewmayorgavehimthesackofflour，andheshouldereditandcarrieditamileortwo，fromLowerAustintohishomeinUpperAustin，attendedbyabandofmusicandthewholepopulation。Arrivedthere，hesaidhedidnotneedtheflour，andaskedwhatthepeoplethoughthehadbetterdowithit。Avoicesaid:
“Sellittothehighestbidder，forthebenefitoftheSanitaryfund。”
Thesuggestionwasgreetedwitharoundofapplause，andGridleymountedadry-goodsboxandassumedtheroleofauctioneer。Thebidswenthigherandhigher，asthesympathiesofthepioneersawokeandexpanded，tillatlastthesackwasknockeddowntoamillmanattwohundredandfiftydollars，andhischecktaken。Hewasaskedwherehewouldhavetheflourdelivered，andhesaid:
“Nowhere——sellitagain。”
Nowthecheerswentuproyally，andthemultitudewerefairlyinthespiritofthething。SoGridleystoodthereandshoutedandperspiredtillthesunwentdown；andwhenthecrowddispersedhehadsoldthesacktothreehundreddifferentpeople，andhadtakenineightthousanddollarsingold。Andstillthefloursackwasinhispossession。
ThenewscametoVirginia，andatelegramwentback:
“Fetchalongyourfloursack！
Thirty-sixhoursafterwardGridleyarrived，andanafternoonmassmeetingwasheldintheOperaHouse，andtheauctionbegan。Butthesackhadcomesoonerthanitwasexpected；thepeoplewerenotthoroughlyaroused，andthesaledragged。Atnightfallonlyfivethousanddollarshadbeensecured，andtherewasacrestfallenfeelinginthecommunity。However，therewasnodispositiontoletthematterresthereandacknowledgevanquishmentatthehandsofthevillageofAustin。Tilllateinthenighttheprincipalcitizenswereatworkarrangingthemorrow"scampaign，andwhentheywenttobedtheyhadnofearsfortheresult。
Ateleventhenextmorningaprocessionofopencarriages，attendedbyclamorousbandsofmusicandadornedwithamovingdisplayofflags，filedalongCstreetandwassoonindangerofblockadebyahuzzaingmultitudeofcitizens。InthefirstcarriagesatGridley，withthefloursackinprominentview，thelattersplendidwithbrightpaintandgiltlettering；alsointhesamecarriagesatthemayorandtherecorder。
TheothercarriagescontainedtheCommonCouncil，theeditorsandreporters，andotherpeopleofimposingconsequence。ThecrowdpressedtothecornerofCandTaylorstreets，expectingthesaletobeginthere，buttheyweredisappointed，andalsounspeakablysurprised；forthecavalcademovedonasifVirginiahadceasedtobeofimportance，andtookitswayoverthe“divide，“towardthesmalltownofGoldHill。
TelegramshadgoneaheadtoGoldHill，SilverCityandDayton，andthosecommunitieswereatfeverheatandrifefortheconflict。Itwasaveryhotday，andwonderfullydusty。AttheendofashorthalfhourwedescendedintoGoldHillwithdrumsbeatingandcolorsflying，andenvelopedinimposingcloudsofdust。Thewholepopulation——men，womenandchildren，ChinamenandIndians，weremassedinthemainstreet，alltheflagsintownwereatthemasthead，andtheblareofthebandswasdrownedincheers。GridleystoodupandaskedwhowouldmakethefirstbidfortheNationalSanitaryFlourSack。Gen。W。said:
“TheYellowJacketsilverminingcompanyoffersathousanddollars，coin！“
Atempestofapplausefollowed。AtelegramcarriedthenewstoVirginia，andfifteenminutesafterwardthatcity"spopulationwasmassedinthestreetsdevouringthetidings——foritwaspartoftheprogrammethatthebulletinboardsshoulddoagoodworkthatday。EveryfewminutesanewdispatchwasbulletinedfromGoldHill，andstilltheexcitementgrew。
TelegramsbegantoreturntousfromVirginiabeseechingGridleytobringbackthefloursack；butsuchwasnottheplanofthecampaign。AttheendofanhourGoldHill"ssmallpopulationhadpaidafigureforthefloursackthatawokealltheenthusiasmofVirginiawhenthegrandtotalwasdisplayeduponthebulletinboards。ThentheGridleycavalcademovedon，agiantrefreshedwithnewlagerbeerandplentyofit——forthepeoplebroughtittothecarriageswithoutwaitingtomeasureit——andwithinthreehoursmoretheexpeditionhadcarriedSilverCityandDaytonbystormandwasonitswaybackcoveredwithglory。Everymovehadbeentelegraphedandbulletined，andastheprocessionenteredVirginiaandfileddownCstreetathalfpasteightintheeveningthetownwasabroadinthethoroughfares，torcheswereglaring，flagsflying，bandsplaying，cheeroncheercleavingtheair，andthecityreadytosurrenderatdiscretion。Theauctionbegan，everybidwasgreetedwithburstsofapplause，andattheendoftwohoursandahalfapopulationoffifteenthousandsoulshadpaidincoinforafifty-poundsackofflourasumequaltofortythousanddollarsingreenbacks！Itwasatarateintheneighborhoodofthreedollarsforeachman，womanandchildofthepopulation。Thegrandtotalwouldhavebeentwiceaslarge，butthestreetswereverynarrow，andhundredswhowantedtobidcouldnotgetwithinablockofthestand，andcouldnotmakethemselvesheard。Thesegrewtiredofwaitingandmanyofthemwenthomelongbeforetheauctionwasover。ThiswasthegreatestdayVirginiaeversaw，perhaps。
GridleysoldthesackinCarsoncityandseveralCaliforniatowns；alsoinSanFrancisco。ThenhetookiteastandsolditinoneortwoAtlanticcities，Ithink。Iamnotsureofthat，butIknowthathefinallycarriedittoSt。Louis，whereamonsterSanitaryFairwasbeingheld，andaftersellingitthereforalargesumandhelpingontheenthusiasmbydisplayingtheportlysilverbrickswhichNevada"sdonationhadproduced，hehadtheflourbakedupintosmallcakesandretailedthemathighprices。
Itwasestimatedthatwhenthefloursack"smissionwasendedithadbeensoldforagrandtotalofahundredandfiftythousanddollarsingreenbacks！Thisisprobablytheonlyinstanceonrecordwherecommonfamilyflourbroughtthreethousanddollarsapoundinthepublicmarket。
ItisduetoMr。Gridley"smemorytomentionthattheexpensesofhissanitaryfloursackexpeditionoffifteenthousandmiles，goingandreturning，werepaidinlargepartifnotentirely，outofhisownpocket。Thetimehegavetoitwasnotlessthanthreemonths。
Mr。GridleywasasoldierintheMexicanwarandapioneerCalifornian。
HediedatStockton，California，inDecember，1870，greatlyregretted。
CHAPTERXLVI。
Therewerenabobsinthosedays——inthe“flushtimes，“Imean。Everyrichstrikeintheminescreatedoneortwo。Icalltomindseveralofthese。Theywerecareless，easy-goingfellows，asageneralthing，andthecommunityatlargewasasmuchbenefitedbytheirrichesastheywerethemselves——possiblymore，insomecases。
Twocousins，teamsters，didsomehaulingforamanandhadtotakeasmallsegregatedportionofasilvermineinlieuof$300cash。Theygaveanoutsiderathirdtoopenthemine，andtheywentonteaming。Butnotlong。Tenmonthsafterwardtheminewasoutofdebtandpayingeachowner$8，000to$10，000amonth——say$100，000ayear。
OneoftheearliestnabobsthatNevadawasdeliveredofwore$6，000worthofdiamondsinhisbosom，andsworehewasunhappybecausehecouldnotspendhismoneyasfastashemadeit。
AnotherNevadanabobboastedanincomethatoftenreached$16，000amonth；andheusedtolovetotellhowhehadworkedintheveryminethatyieldedit，forfivedollarsaday，whenhefirstcametothecountry。
Thesilverandsage-brushStatehasknowledgeofanotherofthesepetsoffortune——liftedfromactualpovertytoaffluencealmostinasinglenight——whowasabletooffer$100，000forapositionofhighofficialdistinction，shortlyafterward，anddidofferit——butfailedtogetit，hispoliticsnotbeingassoundashisbankaccount。
ThentherewasJohnSmith。Hewasagood，honest，kind-heartedsoul，bornandrearedinthelowerranksoflife，andmiraculouslyignorant。
Hedroveateam，andownedasmallranch——aranchthatpaidhimacomfortableliving，foralthoughityieldedbutlittlehay，whatlittleitdidyieldwasworthfrom$250to$300ingoldpertoninthemarket。
PresentlySmithtradedafewacresoftheranchforasmallundevelopedsilvermineinGoldHill。Heopenedthemineandbuiltalittleunpretendingten-stampmill。Eighteenmonthsafterwardheretiredfromthehaybusiness，forhisminingincomehadreachedamostcomfortablefigure。Somepeoplesaiditwas$30，000amonth，andotherssaiditwas$60，000。Smithwasveryrichatanyrate。
AndthenhewenttoEuropeandtraveled。AndwhenhecamebackhewasnevertiredoftellingaboutthefinehogshehadseeninEngland，andthegorgeoussheephehadseeninSpain，andthefinecattlehehadnoticedinthevicinityofRome。Hewasfullofwondersoftheoldworld，andadvisedeverybodytotravel。Hesaidamanneverimaginedwhatsurprisingthingstherewereintheworldtillhehadtraveled。
Oneday，onboardship，thepassengersmadeupapoolof$500，whichwastobethepropertyofthemanwhoshouldcomenearesttoguessingtherunofthevesselforthenexttwenty-fourhours。Nextday，towardnoon，thefigureswereallinthepurser"shandsinsealedenvelopes。Smithwassereneandhappy，forhehadbeenbribingtheengineer。Butanotherpartywontheprize！Smithsaid:
Here，thatwon"tdo！HeguessedtwomileswiderofthemarkthanIdid。”
Thepursersaid，“Mr。Smith，youmisseditfurtherthananymanonboard。
Wetraveledtwohundredandeightmilesyesterday。”
“Well，sir，“saidSmith，“that"sjustwhereI"vegotyou，forIguessedtwohundredandnine。Ifyou"lllookatmyfiggersagainyou"llfinda2
andtwo0"s，whichstandsfor200，don"tit?——andafter"emyou"llfinda9(2009)，whichstandsfortwohundredandnine。IreckonI"lltakethatmoney，ifyouplease。”
TheGould&Curryclaimcomprisedtwelvehundredfeet，anditallbelongedoriginallytothetwomenwhosenamesitbears。Mr。Curryownedtwothirdsofit——andhesaidthathesolditoutfortwenty-fivehundreddollarsincash，andanoldplughorsethatateuphismarketvalueinhayandbarleyinseventeendaysbythewatch。AndhesaidthatGouldsoldoutforapairofsecond-handgovernmentblanketsandabottleofwhiskythatkilledninemeninthreehours，andthatanunoffendingstrangerthatsmeltthecorkwasdisabledforlife。FouryearsafterwardtheminethusdisposedofwasworthintheSanFranciscomarketsevenmillionssixhundredthousanddollarsingoldcoin。
Intheearlydaysapoverty-strickenMexicanwholivedinacanyondirectlybackofVirginiaCity，hadastreamofwateraslargeasaman"swristtricklingfromthehill-sideonhispremises。TheOphirCompanysegregatedahundredfeetoftheirmineandtradedittohimforthestreamofwater。Thehundredfeetprovedtobetherichestpartoftheentiremine；fouryearsaftertheswap，itsmarketvalue(includingitsmill)was$1，500，000。
AnindividualwhoownedtwentyfeetintheOphirminebeforeitsgreatricheswererevealedtomen，tradeditforahorse，andaverysorrylookingbrutehewas，too。Ayearorsoafterward，whenOphirstockwentupto$3，000afoot，thisman，whohadnotacent，usedtosayhewasthemoststartlingexampleofmagnificenceandmiserytheworldhadeverseen——becausehewasabletorideasixty-thousand-dollarhorse——yetcouldnotscrapeupcashenoughtobuyasaddle，andwasobligedtoborrowoneorridebareback。Hesaidiffortuneweretogivehimanothersixty-thousand-dollarhorseitwouldruinhim。
Ayouthofnineteen，whowasatelegraphoperatorinVirginiaonasalaryofahundreddollarsamonth，andwho，whenhecouldnotmakeoutGermannamesinthelistofSanFranciscosteamerarrivals，usedtoingeniouslyselectandsupplysubstitutesforthemoutofanoldBerlincitydirectory，madehimselfrichbywatchingtheminingtelegramsthatpassedthroughhishandsandbuyingandsellingstocksaccordingly，throughafriendinSanFrancisco。OncewhenaprivatedispatchwassentfromVirginiaannouncingarichstrikeinaprominentmineandadvisingthatthematterbekeptsecrettillalargeamountofthestockcouldbesecured，heboughtforty“feet“ofthestockattwentydollarsafoot，andafterwardsoldhalfofitateighthundreddollarsafootandtherestatdoublethatfigure。Withinthreemonthshewasworth$150，000，andhadresignedhistelegraphicposition。
Anothertelegraphoperatorwhohadbeendischargedbythecompanyfordivulgingthesecretsoftheoffice，agreedwithamoneyedmaninSanFranciscotofurnishhimtheresultofagreatVirginiamininglawsuitwithinanhourafteritsprivatereceptionbythepartiestoitinSanFrancisco。Forthishewastohavealargepercentageoftheprofitsonpurchasesandsalesmadeonitbyhisfellow-conspirator。Sohewent，disguisedasateamster，toalittlewaysidetelegraphofficeinthemountains，gotacquaintedwiththeoperator，andsatintheofficedayafterday，smokinghispipe，complainingthathisteamwasfaggedoutandunabletotravel——andmeantimelisteningtothedispatchesastheypassedclickingthroughthemachinefromVirginia。Finallytheprivatedispatchannouncingtheresultofthelawsuitspedoverthewires，andassoonasheheardithetelegraphedhisfriendinSanFrancisco:
“Amtiredwaiting。Shallselltheteamandgohome。”
Itwasthesignalagreedupon。Theword“waiting“leftout，wouldhavesignifiedthatthesuithadgonetheotherway。
Themockteamster"sfriendpickedupadealoftheminingstock，atlowfigures，beforethenewsbecamepublic，andafortunewastheresult。
ForalongtimeafteroneofthegreatVirginiamineshadbeenincorporated，aboutfiftyfeetoftheoriginallocationwerestillinthehandsofamanwhohadneversignedtheincorporationpapers。Thestockbecameveryvaluable，andeveryeffortwasmadetofindthisman，buthehaddisappeared。OnceitwasheardthathewasinNewYork，andoneortwospeculatorswenteastbutfailedtofindhim。OncethenewscamethathewasintheBermudas，andstraightwayaspeculatorortwohurriedeastandsailedforBermuda——buthewasnotthere。FinallyhewasheardofinMexico，andafriendofhis，abar-keeperonasalary，scrapedtogetheralittlemoneyandsoughthimout，boughthis“feet“forahundreddollars，returnedandsoldthepropertyfor$75，000。
Butwhygoon?ThetraditionsofSilverlandarefilledwithinstanceslikethese，andIwouldnevergetthroughenumeratingthemwereItoattemptdoit。Ionlydesiredtogive，thereaderanideaofapeculiarityofthe“flushtimes“whichIcouldnotpresentsostrikinglyinanyotherway，andwhichsomementionofwasnecessarytoarealizingcomprehensionofthetimeandthecountry。
IwaspersonallyacquaintedwiththemajorityofthenabobsIhavereferredto，andso，foroldacquaintancesake，IhaveshiftedtheiroccupationsandexperiencesaroundinsuchawayastokeepthePacificpublicfromrecognizingtheseoncenotoriousmen。Nolongernotorious，forthemajorityofthemhavedriftedbackintopovertyandobscurityagain。
InNevadathereusedtobecurrentthestoryofanadventureoftwoofhernabobs，whichmayormaynothaveoccurred。Igiveitforwhatitisworth:
Col。Jimhadseensomewhatoftheworld，andknewmoreorlessofitsways；butCol。JackwasfromthebacksettlementsoftheStates，hadledalifeofarduoustoil，andhadneverseenacity。Thesetwo，blessedwithsuddenwealth，projectedavisittoNewYork，——Col。Jacktoseethesights，andCol。Jimtoguardhisunsophisticationfrommisfortune。TheyreachedSanFranciscointhenight，andsailedinthemorning。ArrivedinNewYork，Col。Jacksaid:
“I"veheardtellofcarriagesallmylife，andnowImeantohavearideinone；Idon"tcarewhatitcosts。Comealong。”
Theysteppedoutonthesidewalk，andCol。Jimcalledastylishbarouche。
ButCol。Jacksaid:
“No，sir！Noneofyourcheap-Johnturn-outsforme。I"mheretohaveagoodtime，andmoneyain"tanyobject。Imeantohavethenobbiestrigthat"sgoing。Nowherecomestheverytrick。Stopthatyalleronewiththepicturesonit——don"tyoufret——I"llstandalltheexpensesmyself。”
SoCol。Jimstoppedanemptyomnibus，andtheygotin。SaidCol。Jack:
“Ain"titgay，though?Oh，no，Ireckonnot！Cushions，andwindows，andpictures，tillyoucan"trest。WhatwouldtheboyssayiftheycouldseeuscuttingaswelllikethisinNewYork?ByGeorge，Iwishtheycouldseeus。”
Thenheputhisheadoutofthewindow，andshoutedtothedriver:
“Say，Johnny，thissuitsme！——suitsyourstruly，youbet，you！Iwantthisshebangallday。I"monit，oldman！Let"emout！Make"emgo！
We"llmakeitallrightwithyou，sonny！“
Thedriverpassedhishandthroughthestrap-hole，andtappedforhisfare——itwasbeforethegongscameintocommonuse。Col。Jacktookthehand，andshookitcordially。Hesaid:
“Youtwigme，oldpard！Allrightbetweengents。Smellofthat，andseehowyoulikeit！“
Andheputatwenty-dollargoldpieceinthedriver"shand。Afteramomentthedriversaidhecouldnotmakechange。
“Botherthechange！Rideitout。Putitinyourpocket。”
ThentoCol。Jim，withasoundingslaponhisthigh:
“Ain"titstyle，though?HangedifIdon"thirethisthingeverydayforaweek。”
Theomnibusstopped，andayoungladygotin。Col。Jackstaredamoment，thennudgedCol。Jimwithhiselbow:
“Don"tsayaword，“hewhispered。“Letherride，ifshewantsto。
Gracious，there"sroomenough。”
Theyoungladygotoutherporte-monnaie，andhandedherfaretoCol。
Jack。
“What"sthisfor?“saidhe。
“Giveittothedriver，please。”
“Takebackyourmoney，madam。Wecan"tallowit。You"rewelcometoridehereaslongasyouplease，butthisshebang"schartered，andwecan"tletyoupayacent。”
Thegirlshrunkintoacorner，bewildered。Anoldladywithabasketclimbedin，andprofferedherfare。
“Excuseme，“saidCol。Jack。“You"reperfectlywelcomehere，madam，butwecan"tallowyoutopay。Setrightdownthere，mum，anddon"tyoubetheleastuneasy。Makeyourselfjustasfreeasifyouwasinyourownturn-out。”
Withintwominutes，threegentlemen，twofatwomen，andacoupleofchildren，entered。
“Comerightalong，friends，“saidCol。Jack；“don"tmindus。Thisisafreeblow-out。”ThenhewhisperedtoCol。Jim，“NewYorkain"tnosociableplace，Idon"treckon——itain"tnonameforit！“
Heresistedeveryefforttopassfarestothedriver，andmadeeverybodycordiallywelcome。Thesituationdawnedonthepeople，andtheypocketedtheirmoney，anddeliveredthemselvesuptocovertenjoymentoftheepisode。Halfadozenmorepassengersentered。
“Oh，there"splentyofroom，“saidCol。Jack。“Walkrightin，andmakeyourselvesathome。Ablow-outain"tworthanythingasablow-out，unlessabodyhascompany。”TheninawhispertoCol。Jim:“Butain"ttheseNewYorkersfriendly?Andain"ttheycoolaboutit，too?Icebergsain"tanywhere。Ireckonthey"dtackleahearse，ifitwasgoingtheirway。”
Morepassengersgotin；moreyet，andstillmore。Bothseatswerefilled，andafileofmenwerestandingup，holdingontothecleatsoverhead。Partieswithbasketsandbundleswereclimbingupontheroof。
Half-suppressedlaughterrippledupfromallsides。
“Well，forclean，cool，out-and-outcheek，ifthisdon"tbanganythingthateverIsaw，I"manInjun！“whisperedCol。Jack。
AChinamancrowdedhiswayin。
“Iweaken！“saidCol。Jack。“Holdon，driver！Keepyourseats，ladies，andgents。Justmakeyourselvesfree——everything"spaidfor。Driver，rustlethesefolksaroundaslongasthey"reamindtogo——friendsofours，youknow。Takethemeverywheres——andifyouwantmoremoney，cometotheSt。Nicholas，andwe"llmakeitallright。Pleasantjourneytoyou，ladiesandgents——goitjustaslongasyouplease——itshan"tcostyouacent！“
Thetwocomradesgotout，andCol。Jacksaid:
“Jimmy，it"sthesociablestplaceIeversaw。TheChinamanwaltzedinascomfortableasanybody。Ifwe"dstaidawhile，Ireckonwe"dhadsomeniggers。B"George，we"llhavetobarricadeourdoorsto-night，orsomeoftheseduckswillbetryingtosleepwithus。”