Desdemona, a drama in five acts

Introduction

Desdemona was written to supply a want for an easy, legitimate Drama for the Amateur Societies of the Parish. The Story is founded on facts and told from an American Catholic standpoint. There are no burlesques or depraved Caricatures depicted. On the contrary, we have endeavored to place before your view Characters of Integ-rity possessinga lofty Patriotism and g-enuine Christianity. Cabroli.ton. Missouri,

DEBDEMONA.

CAST OF CHARACTERS.

Mr. Stephen Dawson A T>armer

" Georg-e Sears — Mine Owner

Count LaFar A French Count

" Mr. Andrew Ready A Farmer

Pref. Barret Professor of Music

" Syl Blake Real Estate Man

Sir Albert Murdoch Eng-lish Lord

" Tom Moore A Mining Clerk

' • Andrew Giles Dealer in Mining Stocks

•• Jack Deluerty ■ Foreman of Mine

Father Austin Rector of St. Paul's

" Jasper Negro Servant

Master Raymond Barret Son of Prof. Barret

Dr. Gross Physician

" Perkins Mine Owner

Sergeant Proctor Soldier

Mrs. Julia Dawson Wife of Stephen Dawson

Miss Desdemona Dawson Daughter of Mr. Dawson

Mrs. Mona Barret. Wife of Prof. Barret

Miss Celia Barret Sister of Prof. Barret

Miss Agnes Barret Daughter of Prof. Barret

Sister Clare Hospital Nurse

DESDEMONA --A Drama in Five Acts.

Act I. — SCENE i

Prof. Barrefs house, Folger street, Carrollton, Mo. Prof. Barret and Miss Celia Barret, his sister — Miss Barret is singing— the professor is looking over some music — Bell rings — Miss Celia goes to the door.

Celia Barret. Why, George Sears, I am so glad to see you. Welcome, Cousin George.

Prof. Barret. How do you do, my young friend!

George Sears. I am well, I thank you.

Prof. Barret. Be seated, George. When did you arrive from Old Kentucky.''

George Sears. I came last night on the "Q" road about 6:40 and was so tired after supper at the Florence that I went immediately to bed.

Celia Barret. You look so well, George, but I am surprised that you came that round about way of the "Q" road. I should much prefer to come on the Wabash, the "Old Reliable" road, from St. Louis.

Sears. Pardon me. Miss Celia, but I was obliged to come over the "Q" or remain in St. Louis till evening and then take the night train over the Wabash, and not get here till this morning.

Mr. Barret. Well, it would be even better than to travel over the rough "Q" road.

Sears. Yes, I grant you all that, but I cannot sleep on the cars at night, and moreover wanted to get here as soon as possible.

Miss Celia. I am sure we are delighted that you had no accident and reached Carrollton Heights aL right. By the way, how is your mother and all the folks.^ Is Miss Betty going to school yet.'

Sears. Yes, mother is very well, indeed; she looks as young and hearty as when you saw her four years ago. As for Betty she has grown up a young lady. She will soon be seventeen. She attends school at Nazareth Academy; mother thinks she will become a Nun.

Celia Barret. What do you think of that, Mr. Sears.^ Have you any objection to your sister becoming a Nun.*'

Sears. I should not oppose any serious objection, though I confess I should prefer that she remain in the world and form an alliance with some honorable gentleman. However, Celia, I believe that Almighty God has allotted a particular path for us to follow here on earth.

Celia Barret. I shouldn't like to be a Nun and spend all my days praying and teaching.

Mr. Barret. No danger of you being a Nun. You would rather be somebody's sister. Pardon me, Cousin George, but you have not left Kentucky for good.-*

Sears. No, not at all, but mother and friends having counseled about me, came to the conclusion that whilst I had not yet got into the swing I had best go West and try my fortune.

[Mrs. Mona Barret enters.]

Mrs. Mona. Well, well, George Sears, I am so glad to see you! Welcome to Carrollton. How are all the folks at home.-"

George Sears. They are all well and send you their kindest regards.

Mrs. Mona. My! George, how you have grown since we saw you last, four years ago!

Sears. Yes, Mrs. Barret, I have grown considerably, but it is only since I left college that I have developed into a man.

Mr. Barret. Where did you finish you course, George.-*

Sears: 1 finished my course at Louisville two years ago. Here is my graduation medal. (All look at it and declare: It is fine, indeed, and you should be proud of it.)

George Sears. Indeed, I am thankful to God for the ability to graduate — moreover I shall hold this medal in dear remembrance of my Alma Mater. Mr. Barret, how are the children."*

Mr. Barret. Raymond and Agnes are both well. Mona; tell the children to come in.

(Exit Mona.)

Miss Celia. Weil, weil, Cousin George, your coming is quite a surprise to us all.

[Enter Mona and the children.]

Mona. Mr. Sears, allow me to present our children. This is Raymond, and this is our Agnes. We are proud of them and they are dear good children.

Sears. I am glad to see you, children (taking Agnes on his lap). Agnes, you no doubt can play; if you and Raymond will play for me I shall send you a Christmas present from the Rocky Mountains.

Agnes. Will you send us a bear.-*

Raymond. I would like an eagle or a bufifalo.

Barret. Why, children, those would be rather wild pets. Tell Mr. Sears to send you whatever he thinks best.

Agnes and Raymond: Mr. Sears, do please send us what you think best and we will be glad.

Mona. Children, you may be sure that Cousin George will send you presents that will be useful.

Sears. Yes, children, I shall try and select something good for you. Mr. Barret, do you remember when we visited the Mammoth Cave together.^

Mona. What did you do, George, with the specimens you gathered.

Sears: i gave most of them to the college at Louisville for the museum. Mother has the rest. Well, Mr. Barret, you are still teaching music.

Barret. Yes, George, Celia and myself have a good class besides I lead the orchestra at the opera. We have invested some in Railroad Stocks and hope some day to go to Europe and endeavor to get on the top round of the musical ladder.

Mona. Mr. Sears, now the children wish to play for you.

Sears. Yes, I shall be very glad.

Agnes and Raymond, We'll do the best we can. (They play.)

Sears, Now, dear friends, I have had a splendid time and am glad to be with you, but I must be going.

Mr. Barret, Mona and Celia. Where are you going, George.''

Agnes and Raymond: Cousin George, do stay with us.

Sears. Yes, dearest, I love you all and prefer to stay with you, But you know I came unannounced and there are two gentlemen at the Florence Hotel whom I wish to consult on some matters.

Barret. Beware, George, and consider well whom you talk to about your business affairs. You know you are entirely welcome and 1 hope you will consider our house your home whilst you are in the city.

Sear.«. Yes, Mr. Barrtt, 1 shall, but must get all the information I can about the Rockies. There are two gentlemen, Drummers, I believe, at the hotel that have been all through the mountains and have had some years of experience. I want their knowledge and will tarry at the hotel only a day or two. Then I shall return and be at home with you.

Mona and Celia. I trust that you will. Take care of yourself and come up as soon as possible.

Prof. Barret. By the way, George, we are to spend the day in the country to-morrow. I do wish you would go. We'll just have a picnic at Dawson's. I know you will enjoy the company of Desdemona.

Mona and Celia. Yes, by all means come.

Barret. We'll call at Hotel at 9:30.

Sears. Business before pleasure. However, I promise to go if possible. Good night. All, good night.

(Exit George Sears.)

Act I. — SCENE 2.

Dawson^ s house- — Tress — Croquet grounds. Syl Blake, Prof. Barret, Mona and Celia Barret are discovered playing croquet. The childrefi romp about the grounds and play in the hammock. Mrs. Dawson sitting enjoys the game and the company of the children.

Celia Barret. Mr. Blake, it is your shot now. Strike the professor's ball if possible. (He strikes and misses.)

Mona. It's my turn next. Celia, I'll hit your ball; there I did it.

Mr. Barret. I am for the stake — being a rover I'll help my partner.

[Enter George Sears and Miss Desdemona Dawson.]

Desdemona. Why, Prof. Barret, you and Mona are ahead.

Syl Blake. I haven't played for a year

Desdemona. It's your turn, now shoot to your partner.

(They play on.)

Desdemona and Mr. Sears walk over and sit in the hammock.

Desdemona. Well, Mr. Sears, what do you think of Missouri.-*

Sears. Well, I of course think there is no place like home However much I admire our Kentucky home I will say that Missouri, as far as I have seen it, is very beautiful.

Desdemona, Yes, Missouri is a g-reat State and has within its boundaries all, or almost all the productions of Nature.

Sears. I have no doubt but that Missouri is great Commonwealth.

Desdemona. Indeed, I think that if our State would be walled in it could get along without the rest of the world.

Sears. Yes, I do believe that if Kentucky was walled in with Missouri they would most assuredly get along.

Desdemona. Mr. Sears, what do you mean.^

Sears. I verily believe that Missouri is a good State to live in.

Desdemona. I am glad that you have a good opinion of our State.

George Sears. Yes, indeed I have and I have great faith in the United States. Though a Southerner by birth and education I have learned to love our neighbors of the North.

Desdemona. Indeed, I am glad to hear it.

(Farm bell rings.)

George Sears. What is that bell, Miss Dawson.^

Desdemona. It calls the workmen to dinner. (Both arise and walk about the grounds. The croquet game is over.)

Mr. Dawson and hands come in from the fields.

Desdemona. Mr, Sears, this is father. Father, Mr. Sears from Kentucky.

Dawson. Glad to see you, young man.

Barret. How are you to-day, Mr. Dawson.^

Dawson. I am well, I thank you.

Mona. Why, Mr. Dawson, what is that you have in your left hand.'

Dawson. It is only a young rattler that I killed out in the field.

CeHa. A snake! Children, come and see the snake.

Dawson. (Holds it up to view, and hangs it on a tree and says;) Children, come to me and shake hands. That snake is dead and cannot hurt you. ;

' Agnes and Raymond. We are so glad, Mr. Dawson, it is dead.

Dawson. Come, now, folks, we must all have something to eat.

Desdemona. Yes, we shall. (Exit Dawson into house.) ' [Jasper arranges tables on the lawn and all sit down.]

Barret. Who can tell the best business in life.'

Celia Barret. I can. To be a United States Senator.

iSyl Blake. I think a baker is the best off. : George Sears. I am of opinion that farming is the noblest occupation of man.

Desdemona, Are you a farmer.'

Sears. No, Miss Dawson, I am not, though I was reared on the farm.

Desdemona. Excuse me, sir, but do you intend to follow farming as a business.'

George Sears. Not at all, Miss Dawson; but from observation and experience I can safely say that the farm is the best home and occupation for man.

Prof. Barret. Why do you consider it so.'

George Sears. I am convinced of the fact for many reasons. In the first place there is moi:e pure air in the country. Then it is a better place to develop both mind and body than in the city's throng. Again, there is better company in the country; the trees, plants and flowers and the birds of the air speak to us continually of the Omnipotence of God. Man, moreover, is more sure of a permanency in the country because his capital, the soil, cannot be destroyed.

Desdemona. Then, I presume, that you have come from

Kentucky to select a farm in Missouri?

George Sears. No, Miss Dawson, I have no taste for the soil, and will not engage in farming. I like geology very much and particularly am fond of minerology. In fact, I am a bimetallist and will strike the mountains for my fortune.

Desdemona. Indeed! Are you going West very soon?

Georgx^ Sears. Yes, Miss Dawson, I intend leaving for the mountains in a few days.

Desdemona. Where do you intend to cast your lot?

George Sears. Indeed I cannot say now.

Mrs. Dawson. Well, Mr. Sears, we would like to hear from you and wish )'ou prosperity in your new business.

George Sears. Thank you! Thank you! I of course will write to my friends.

Desdemona. May we consider ourselves among the number?

George Sears. Certainly, Miss Dawson; and I may be able to gather a few specimens of ore and curios for your cabinet.

Desdemona. I thank you very much.

[Enter Mr. Dawson and Andrew Ready, a neighbor.]

Mr. Dawson, Well, folks, here is Mr. Ready, a good friend of mine and a capital story teller.

Prof, Barret. This is a very warm summer, Mr. Ready.

Andrew Ready. Indade it is barren for those who can always stay in the shade.

Desdemona. Mr. Ready, this is Mr. Sears, a young gentleman from Kentucky. Mr. Sears, Mr. Ready.

Andrew Ready. Ah, indeed! I am glad to mate you, Mr. Sears.

George Sears. Excuse me, sir, but I am not ready to be mated yet a while!

Andrew Ready. I meant no offense, young man, but in Ould Ireland we pronunce the vowels longer than here. I suppose you would say meet, sir?

George Sears. Yes, sir.

Andrew Ready. Well, then I suppose that you'll be a mating some time or other, and sure it's no harum to wish you ' a good partner for life.

George Sears. No, indeed, Mr. Ready.

Mrs. Dawson. Folks, sit down. (All sit down.)

(Jasper arranges the seats for them and gets food.)

George Sears. I suppose, Mr. Ready, that there is a great contrast between Ireland and America.'

Andrew Ready. Yes, sir; there's a great differenc entirely between Ireland and America. Ireland is a very beautiful country, but she is down-trodden in every way be the Laws and Landlords. America is God's own country, where the great Flag of the Republic grants Civil and Religious Liberty to all its citizens who honor it and behave themselves rightly.

Mr. Dawson. What is that you say, Mr. Ready.''

Andrew Ready. Begora, I think that yourself ought to go to the United States Congress.

Mr. Dawson, Why so, Mr. Ready.-^

Andrew Ready. Bekase you have such sperit of Liberty about you. And there's too many liars and bad eggs clogging the wheels of Justice the world over!

Mr. Dawson. Now, Mr. Ready, I expect that you would want a favor if I were in Congress.

Ready. Yes, I want a great favor, and that's that you'd niver consent to an alliance with Johnny Ball.

Dawson. Why so, Mr. Ready.'

Andrew Ready. God betwain us and harum. Don't you know we had to whip England before and the many fights and privations we had before we gained the Battle of Independence.'

George Sears. True for you, Mr. Ready, but surely you were not in the battle.'

Andrew Ready. I was not, but I suppose that apart of me heart was there.

Dawson. How do you explain that, Mr. Ready, since you were not born then.'

Andrew Ready. Well, no; but me Grand Uncle — God rise his soul — was in that battle from first to last.

George Sears. But, Mr. Ready, you had no part in it.'

Andrew Ready. Young man, if we all look behind us and see the material we are made of, sure! it's no lie for me to say that me heart — a good piece of it— was in the Battle lO

of Independence, bekase me Grand Uncle was there.

Dawson. Ha! ha! That's too thin, Ready.

Ready. Excuse me, av you plase, but I think it was very thick — I came from me Grand Uncle, and that settles it.

Dawson. Say, Ready, what's that you told me once about the Priest and the Red Coat.''

Andrew Ready. Faix, I'll tell yees. It was this wise: A clergyman was going the way for himself upon a foine young steed; he met an officer who stopped him. Says the officer to him; It is very quare entirely that you, a Clergyman, and very inconsfstent that you should be riding such a foine horse. Why so, says the Priest; who has a better right to ride a good horse than meself? Arra, then, says the officer, do you belave in the Scriptures.' To be sure I do, said the Priest. Well, says the officer, we read in the Bible that Christ and his Apostles rode upon asses. Yes, indade, you are right, says the Priest, but a big change has taken place since then. What's that, says the officer.'' I'll tell you, says the Priest, of iate years the Clergy cannot get asses to ride upon bekase the Gevirment is making officers out of all the asses. The officer immediately left and didn't bother the priest any more.

(All laugh ha! ha! ha!)

Dawson. Jasper, come here and sing and dance a little for our friends.

Jasper. Yes, massa, I'll do the best I can if dey won't laugh at me. (Jasper sings and dances.)

Prof. Barret. Well, Mr. Dawson, we have had a nice time and thank you very much.

George Sears. Yes, we must be going now.

Desdemona. I am sorry that you are leaving us so soon.

George Sears. Good bye, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson; good bye, Mr, Ready; good bye. Miss Dawson. We have had a pleasant time and it is with reluctance that I say farewell to you and the great State of Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. Dawson and Desdemona. Good bye.

Jasper, Good bye, folks, I wish you all good luck.

Curtain.

1 1

Act II. — Scene i

Mining Camp — George Sears met by the meti on his way to the Camp — TJiey demand more wages or threaten to quit his employ.

Sears (to men). Jack Deluerty, where are you and the men going from the mine.''

Deluerty. We thought of giving up Elkhorn for good.

Sears. What! You are not going to desert me like that.''

Deluerty. We thought of that.

Sears. Why.^

Deleurty. Simply because there is nothing in it for you and the men.

Sears. How so! Do you not get your wages.'

Deluerty. To be sure we do. But what will that amount to when you become swamped.''

Sears. Jack, that's a concern of mine, and as long as you get your wages and fair treatment I beg of you and the men to return to work.

Deluerty (to men). He is a white man and treats us right. What say you.'' Let's go back to work.

All. So we will; so we will!

Sears. What is my small capital without the help of the brawny muscles of the miners.'' Patience and perseverance, I hope with God's help and the men's toil to establish a better name for the Elkhorn.

[Goes into office. Time keeper, Tom Moore, arranging hre.]

Sears. I see, Tom, that you have a good fire; It will help to cheer us up this frosty morning.

Tom Moore. Yes, Mr. Sears; but what do you think of the men quitting work.-' They all took their tools and left.

Sears (takinig off his coat and hanging it on wall) Yes, I met Deluerty and the men out there. But they have returned to work and are in the shaft by this time. [Noise abroad.]

Tom. Yes, I hear them going down the shaft. You seem to be troubled, Mr. Sears.''

Sears. I cannot well divine that yet. Jack said they were afraid the mine would not pan out, and I suppose he thought they might get left.

Tom. How is that?

Sears. WeU, they thought that I might not be able to pay them.

Tom, That would be a bad thing, Mr. Sears.

Sears. Yes, indeed it would. Say, Tom, do you remember what the ore assays now.''

Tom. I believe that it assays forty-five dollars to the ton.

Sears. I don't believe it assays quite that much. Get out the chart, please, while I read my mail, (Reads letters, examines papers, etc. Tom Moore takes the chart from drawer and hangs it on the wall.)

Tom. I will go out to the shaft and take the men's time now. "^

Sears, All right, Toiu. [Exit Tom carrying time book. After reading mail Mr. Sears examines the chart showing the various stratas and the registered amount assayed every twenty-five feet.]

Sears. The Elkhorn will be all right yet.

[Deluerty enters ofiice, followed by Tom Moore.]

Deluerty. What are we to do with that pump.''

Sears. What pump.'

Deluerty. The Buckeye pump. It seems not to be able to do the work and the men are in the water, almost to their knees and cannot stand it.

Sears. I don't want them to stand it. During the first strike I had the other pump repaired and it is all right. Tell the new engineer to hitch on to the Clevinger.

Deluerty. Indeed, I will, but it's better for yourself to give me a note to that effect; it will save a few curses.

Sears. Does Mesick swear.-* Tell me, Deluerty.

Deluerty. Never mind. Sears. We have the best engineer in the mountains, and when he'll tackle on to the Clevinger we will have the best pump in the Rockies. I wish I could say the same ot the mine.

Sears. Now, what is the matter with the mine? I wish you wouldn't be throwing cold water on our pet like that.

Deluerty. By faykes! we need not do that, she has plenty of water and to spare. I believe the fresh mountain water would be more profitable than all the ore you'd get out of her. If you could only run the water into St. Louis it would be such a delicacy over the Big Muddy that the silk stocking folks would give you a fortune for it.

Sears. Deluerty, come here. (Deluerty arises and goes to high desk, where Sears is standing.) Say, what will you take to keep your mouth shut.-"

Deluerty. (in astonishment looks at him and says:) Why, man alive; you can't stop my mouth, or any other man's.

Sears. You don't quite understand me. You wouldn't like men to go about saying that your friend was a bad man, would you.'' ^

Deluerty. No, indeed; I wouldn't.

Sears. Now, understand once for all that it is very unpleasant for me to hear the Elkhorn spoken ill of, and that by my own men.

Deluerty. Begora, I don't blame you. She is your property.

Sears. Yes, and further more she has a good reputation on the market.

Deluerty. She has! has she.-'

Sears. I am well pleased with the Elkhorn — what need any one else care.-"

Deluerty. That's your business to be sure, but pardon me if I doubt in her stability.

Sears. You are my foreman and upon you I rely for my success.

Deluerty. Faith I can't help the mine if she plays out or blows up. Do you understand.-*

Sears. I understand very well. But listen. My capital is invested in that slice of the mountain, and if you talk about her and belittle her to every one you meet she may lose her reputation — go down in the market and ruin me forever.

Deluerty. God forbid that we should be the cause of that.

Sears. Stop talking about my Elkhoru then. I tell you what I am determined to do

Deleurty. Whatever it is we'll carry it out if we can.

Sears. I will raise your wages from one hundred to one

H

hundred and fifty dollars per month, and I'll raise the men's wages 20 per cent. What do you think of that?

Deluerty. That's \'ery good, if you can keep it up.

Sears. Then I will have an order posted up forbidding gambling on or off. duty — under penalty of being discharged forthwith. Foreman, I wish you to aid me to carry this out.

Deluerty. I'll do it to the best of my ability.

[Puts up order on wall.]

Deluerty, It's dinner time now.

[Sears goes to Hotel for dinner, the foreman and timekeeper eat in the of^ce.]

OFFICE.

GRIEVANCES.

Elkhorn

Mine

Order No 3.

Assay for Strata.

All Grievances must be settled at the office.

No gambling allowed, on or off duty.

By order of Superintendent Deluerty.

Tom Moore. Say, Deluerty, you have a mountain on your hands, haven't you.''

Deluerty. What do you mean, Tom.^

Tom. I mean what I say, that the mine is a mountain on your hands.

Deluerty. Not at all, Tom. You are mistaken. The mine is no mountain upon me nor upon anybody else.

Tom. Oh, I mean to say that it is a great bother and worry to keep things in good running order.

Deluerty. Oh, there is nothing in this world without some bother. Things cannot rnn smooth all the time.

Tom. Why not?.

Deluerty. Well, I'll tell you, young man. Suppose there is a railroad — the best in the world — with steel rails, good oak ties and No. i ballast. The cars are finely made and finished for comfort and ease. The ofificers and men from the section hands up to the Superintendent and President, are all well balanced and experienced men. Suppose Jack Lowney, one of the best engineers that ever pulled the throttle, ran the express on that road; mind you, before Jack goes out he always examines his pet, the engine, and only when all is right will he consent to pull the throttle. Now, after all this care and painstaking. Jack had once a terrible accident befall his train. As he was nearing Boston, coming around a curve, three cars were ditched and fifteen people killed, besides many wounded, and Jack had his leg broken.

Tom. What was the cause of the accident.''

Deluert)'. It was caused by the breaking of aq axle of one of the coaches. Moreover, when the axle was examined it was discovered that within the center of the axle there was a vacuum that could not be discovered before and this rendered the axle weak, and when the strain of the curves came upon it a crash was the result. Here was an unavoidable accident for which no one was to blame.

Tom, That's singular,

Deluerty! Not at all, young man. This may happen every day, especially when we have men to deal' with who have vacuums in their heads.

Tom. I believe you are right.

Deleurty. I am an old chap and have seen a thing or too. Let me tell you, when you have educated men to deal with — men who understand their business, especially when the right men are in the right place- — everything moves along smoothly.

Tom. I believe you hit the nail on the head, old boy.

Deluerty. Yes, but when you have canary birds for men and superintendents something, yes, everything, goes wrong.

[George Sears enters.]

Sears. Deluerty, be sure and keep your eye occasionally i6

on the engineer. He is a f^ood old man and tender hearted; but a nap may come over him. See that the mine is dry, perfectly dry, so that the miners may do justice to themselves and the work.

Deluerty. I shall attend to it.

Sears. After quitting time have the blacksmith overhaul the hoisting apparatus.

Deluerty. Please give me an order for the smith and I'll see that he does it.

[George Sears writes the order and gives it to the foreman.] (Exit Deluerty.)

Sears. Tom, take these letters to the postofifice and bring me the mail. [Exit Tom Moore.]

Act II. — Scene 2.

Mining camp, concluded — George Sears Jills his pipe and smokes — Enter Mr. Gills, mining-stocks dealer.

Sears, Come in, Mr. Giles; take a seat. (Giles sits down.)

Mr. Giles. Mr. Sears, I didn't think that you smoked.

Sears. It is seldom that I smoke, but I have a severe cold, and smoke to warm myself.

Giles. Queen Ann and whisky is the compound for a cold.

Sears. I never indulge in either because they make my head swim.

Giles. You are hoarse and should take something.

Sears. I believe I'll drop down and see the doctor.

Giles. By the way, how is the Elkhorn.-'

Sears. Very well, very well, indeed.

Giles. I understand that you have raised the men's wages, and of course this means a streak of luck and new finds.

Sears'. We have been doing as well as could be expected. Since our new machinery has been placed and a good, sober industrious set of hands employed we are going down and into the mountain further.

Giles. I suppose that you will strike it rich then.-"

Sears. I cannot say, but hope to. At any rate we expect to turn out more of the yellow metal and have a better lode.

Giles, I am pleased to inform you that the Elkhorn has gone up in the market. Her quotations to-day are greater than they have ever been.