[Henry S. Brooks, The Metallurgist, The Overland Monthly, February 1890]

 

THE

OVERLAND MONTHLY.

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VOL. XV. (SECOND SERIES.)—FEBRUARY, 1890.—No. 86.

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THE METALLURGIST.

I.

            ON the Eastern watersheds of the Sierra Nevada, not far from its summit, where the gold veins begin to bear silver, and the silver the precious alloy of gold, and where copper, iron, lead, zinc, antimony, arsenic, cobalt, and what not are found in alliance with both, so soon as sufficient depth is attained to prevent their oxidation, there existed in "the early days " a well known mining camp called Chivtown, in consequence, probably, of its earliest inhabitants having earned the reputation of being " high-toned," quick on the trigger, and distinguished among the "chivalry," even at that time, when every little camp had " a man for breakfast." The town occupied a miserable site, bleak, exposed and shelterless, its proximity to an abundance of good water being its only recommendation. It took inevitably the form of the usual narrow street, with false-fronted, wooden stores, a hotel, two or three boarding houses, two livery stables, post office in one of the groceries, bar-rooms, and billiard saloons.

            The hotel, an unusually excellent one for a mining camp, was kept by Mrs. O'Connor, a widow with an only daughter, May. May kept the books and accounts ; her mother superintended the kitchen and housekeeping. No liquor was permitted on the premises, but the house was, otherwise, generously kept and abundantly patronized. Probably the defenseless condition of the two ladies — for ladies they were — proved a more efficient protection than most men could have afforded them. Be that as it may, the high-toned chiv's proved that there was genuine chivalry in them by treating both mother and daughter with profound respect, and causing every one else to do likewise.

            Late one afternoon in the fall, the front room of the hotel was occupied by the usual crowd of loungers, card playing, smoking, and " gassing," as the gossip of the chiv's was locally termed. The Chivtown stage was about due, and though no public exhibition of interest was manifested, it was silently conceded to be the event of the day. Sandy Mc-

114      The Metallurgist.          [Feb.

Neil, " Shorty," and " Beauty" occupied the most comfortable and convenient seats in the room, accorded them by universal consent — when they were not playing poker or seven up — out of deference to their well earned renown as the most formidable chivs of Chivtown. Their seats were the most comfortable, as being near the stove, and convenient, because they faced the door at which the passengers by stage must enter. Thus the trio had an excellent opportunity to "size up" the strangers as they entered, and walked up to the desk to record their names and places of residence.

            It was cold and threatening without. A deep snow already covered the nearest range. A biting wind swept through Chivtown, whirling the dust through the street and against the buildings like a sand blast. The occupants of the hotel had " fired up " the stove till it was red hot, yet the men nearest to it sat with their heavy nailed boots, worn outside their pants, resting on the rail which surrounded the glowing furnace. The atmosphere of the interior, what with the heat and tobacco smoke, was almost stifling, but it was relieved somewhat as each one entered and had a sharp struggle with the door before he could close it, during which the keen air entered, and drove the clouds of tobacco smoke into the distant corners. Sandy, Shorty and Beauty chewed only. They tilted their chairs back, so that their heavy boots appeared to be the principal part of them, and the huge nails were presented, bright and aggressive, facing all corners.

            At length the stage arrived, and drove to the door with the usual rattle and flourish. It had but one solitary occupant, so muffled up with coats and wraps that his best friends could not have recognized him. No one advanced to open the door of the hotel. It was a part of the self assertion of Chivtown that every arrival had to do that for himself. There was no open manifestation of curiosity as the stranger entered, and struggled upon unequal terms with the door ; but keener eyes never daunted a new arrival. They were coarse, penetrating, arrogant and contemptuous glances, but they had but little effect upon the stranger ;— an old Frenchman, evidently, who slowly unwrapped from his neck a huge comforter, at the same time bowing politely and saying, " Good evening, Messieurs."

            Not one of the party deigned any reply, but the cold eyes looked him through and through, while the card players satisfied themselves by a single glance, and instantly reverted to their game. The visitor looked around upon the company not less keenly, shrugged his shoulders contemptuously at their brutality, and proceeded to sign his name, " Edward Savarin, San Francisco," in a neat, cramped, French hand. Presently an attendant came forward, and the stranger asked for a room.

            The man stared insolently, evidently desiring to humor the temper of the company, and retreated without saying a word.

            It soon became evident that the old gentleman was in poor health, and weak and faint from his long journey. Perhaps, too, his inhospitable reception affected him after all, for he sank back into a chair and glanced helplessly around. The company enjoyed the situation, and looked at one another contemptuously.

            At this moment May O'Connor came forward, and realizing the situation at a glance, looked indignantly toward the chivalry, and approaching the Frenchman said, " I am sorry to say, sir, we have not a room in the house, or even a spare bed, and it will be very difficult to get one in town, but if you will wait a few moments I will run and see what can be done for you."

            The old gentleman had risen and put on an air of gallantry, when pretty May O'Connor addressed him.

            "You are veree amiable, Mademoi-

1890.]  The Metallurgist.          115

selle," he said, " but I cannot permeet to expose you on my account." But May had gently pressed him to his seat and was away in a moment, her profusion of nut-brown hair rudely attacked by the wind as she passed out. She returned in a few minutes all aglow, smoothing her disordered curls, and looking very charming indeed. "I have got you a room at old Mrs. Crump's," she said, laughing, " and you cannot complain of the size of the bed, whatever you may say about the room. Tom," — to the man who had stared so insolently, — " bring the gentleman's trunk."

            This Tom, somewhat abashed, promptly shouldered, and the Frenchman, taking his valise, was soon safely installed in his new quarters.

            The stranger had no sooner left than Shorty said, " Another frog eater! Seems to me they 'd orter have had enough of this camp by this time. They piled in two or three millions into the Frenchman's Folly over there in Frenchtown, and took out nineteen dollars and a half ; but they must keep nosin' around like hogs in a dung heap. Damn 'em ! I wish they 'd stay away. They 've done more harm to Chivtown with their fine airs and jabberin' lingo than the whole monkey lot of 'em is worth. There never was a Frenchman worth a cuss at any thing anyway, and there never will be."

            " They get a holt of everything wrong side foremost," said Beauty. " Did you ever see the way they wear a shootin'-iron ? Why a fellow could plug a dozen of 'em afore they could git the draw on him."

            " None of them can shoot no more 'n a Chinaman," said Sandy. "They don't take to a pistol or a knife either. I don't know what they 're good for, anyway. A smart, likely boy would get away with half a dozen of 'em."

            " They 're mighty good with a shotgun," somebody said.

116      The Metallurgist.          [Feb.

            " Shotgun be damned," said Shorty. " They never shoot anything but blue-jays and ground squirrels."

            " They 're just like a lot of play-actors," another remarked, " and that 's about all they're good for, I reckon." And that being the general sentiment of the community, they resumed their poker or seven-up, or adjourned to the saloon opposite.

II.

            " YES, gintlemin, it is highly metalliferous, also argintiferous, but the principal componint part is lid."

            Thus Mr. Murphy, widely known as " Metalliferous Murphy," addressing two gentlemen visitors who were inquiring into the mineral resources of Chivtown. Sandy, Shorty, and Beauty stood near, admiring the "mellifluous gintleman's " glib tongue, and contriving, every now and then to slip in a word edgeways in confirmation of his assertions ; for Metalliferous Murphy was a mining sharp, and Sandy, Shorty, and Beauty were among his clients.

            " It will go two hundred and fifty dollars if it will go a dollar," said Sandy. " Do ye see this sulphide ? You can cut it with yer knife."

            "And there 's free gold in them pyrites," said Shorty, spitting on a piece of rock, and holding it under the nose of one of the visitors. " That rock 'll go eighty dollars, free millin, ye kin bet on it."

            " Gintlemin," said Metalliferous Murphy, resuming the thread of his subject, " these mitils are the most interisting and instructive which the intire Si-erra affords. Here you have sulphurits of antimony, and zinc, and lid, and copper — and all the pricious mitils in the most interisting of combinashins. Here you see a spick of tillurium, and here of antimony, which the ancients called stibium, and here I can show you a spick of bismuth, — and, in fact it is impossible, gintlemin, to overistimate the highly metalliferous cha-rac-ter of this important diposit."

            " It is a great drawback to your camp that you have no metallurgical works, — no one capable of making an assay or analysis," said one of the visitors.

            " I plidge you me honor and me riputation, gintlemin," said Metalliferous Murphy, interrupting him hastily, "there is not a chloride, or a bromide, or a sulphurit, or a sulphide, which is not as familiar to me as me brid and butter. If I had me instrumints and me chimicals, me tubes and tists, I would show ye some of the prettiest dimonstrations ; but who wants a tist of the metalliferous cha-rac-ter of this camp, overflowing with mitils in the valleys beyant, and overflowing with milk and honey," and here the metalliferous gentleman made a broad and sweeping demonstration with outstretched arm.

            " I am told that there is a very scientific and capable metallurgist here in this town," said the other visitor. (Here Metalliferous Murphy pricked up his ears.) " I was so informed by a very warm personal friend of mine. The expert's name is Savarin, a Frenchman. My informant is Monsieur Pinot, the celebrated French banker of San Francisco. He gave me a card to Monsieur Savarin. I have made some inquiries since my arrival here, and I learn that the gentleman has his laboratory about completed, and that he is prepared even to work a few hundred pounds of ore. In that case there can be no doubt of his capacity, he being so highly recommended."

            " I would n't believe in any Frenchman that ever lived," said Beauty. " Look at the Frenchman's Folly over there. Why, if you 'd have believed what they told you, they had a mountain of gold, and all they had to do was to break it down and run it into bars. Just ride over to French Camp and see their hundred stamp mill, all finished up in

1890.]  The Metallurgist.          117

mahogany, and their fine houses wainscoted in walnut, and their offices with rails, — that nobody should n't get too near,— and pictures, and safes that never had a red cent to put in 'em, and tell me if you ever want to believe in a Frenchman agin. Damn 'em, the town would n't hold 'em, till they all busted up higher 'n a kite, and could n't even pay the five cents on the dollar that would have let 'em out. Such jabberin' and parly-vouing, and hawin' and scrapin', while it lasted, you nor nobody else ever seen, and if it had n't ha' been that the Chivtown boys thinned 'em out a little they 'd have wanted to run us all out of camp. Damn a Frenchman, anyhow, I say. He don't get no ore of mine to ass-ay or fool with. I 'd like to plug every mother's son of 'em, and it would be a good thing for this town, as I've often told the boys, if they 'd fire 'em out of camp.

            " Them 's my sentiments about Frenchmen," said Shorty, nodding approval. " Ye need n't talk Frenchmen to anybody in this camp. What do you say, Sandy ? "

            " I say," said Sandy, " I 'll make one to fire 'em out of camp tomorrow, if the rest of the boys say so."

            " Well," said the visitor resolutely, " You are entitled to your own opinion about Frenchmen, gentlemen, but if you want us to look any further into your mines, you will furnish us a few hundred pounds of different grades of ore for Monsieur Savarin to work. You will believe in him when he hands you a bar of silver or gold, or whatever it may be, I suppose. That is what he guarantees to do, I am informed."

            This announcement, and the very positive manner in which it was made, rather staggered the party. Metalliferous Murphy was the first to recover himself. "The bys have nothing agin your frind, the Frinchman, gintlemin. For me part I rivirince the might of science whether it be in a Frinchman, or a Polander, or a Rooshun, or a Prooshun. It is me only rigrit that I have none of me own tists and tubes to display to ye some of the prettiest experiments in the metalliferous rocks. It is, not blowin' me horn that I am, when I tell ye that I can perhaps give your metallurgical Frinchman a pint or two concerning that same, as the bys can tell ye if you 're after doubtin' me acquirements."

            " Be reassured, Mr. Murphy," one of the gentlemen replied. " Do not do yourself an injustice. Your reputation as a metallurgist and a gentleman of extensive scientific acquirement is too well known to be questioned by us. But as you remark, you have no facilities. I am sure it will afford you much pleasure to meet Monsieur Savarin, who is a most scientific person, a man after your own heart, and who will be pleased, I am sure, to offer you the facilities of his laboratory."

III.

            SANDY MCNEIL lived a little way out of town, in a hut dug into the side of the hill and roofed over ; a class of residence common enough in Nevada, where the weight of snow might crush a more pretentious structure. It was little more than a burrow, in point of fact. The squirrels or prairie-dogs were as well lodged, except for the little bit of thatch or planking at the entrance, which gave it something of a human aspect. There was an old stovepipe shot up out of the bunk, which the persistent winds had blown out of plumb, despite the staying qualities of two or three slovenly braces. Inside the hut was a table made of a few coarse boards nailed together, an open rough stone fire-place, a camp oven, a few pots and kettles, and on the walls a few old wood-cuts from the Illustrated London News and Graphic. Here Sandy kept Bachelor's Hall. The road or rather trail to this retreat followed the main gulch on which Chivtown was built, un-

118      The Metallurgist.          [Feb.

til it reached a smaller tributary, which emptied into it at right angles, and which at once assumed a very rugged aspect. It was Sandy's custom so soon as he reached the mouth of Sandy's Gulch — for it was named after him — on his way home from town, to draw his " shootin' irons," and do a little pistol practice. No one could see him from camp, — not that it would have been of much consequence if they did ; but Sandy preferred to have the cause of his remarkable skill with his weapons kept in the dark. Like skill in any other fine art, it was merely a matter of persistent practice, of constant and loving care of his pistols, as well as of great natural aptitude. But Sandy preferred the current vulgar version — that it was purely a matter of gift, or genius, — an inspiration, an effulgence ! He had an appointment at his cabin this evening with Shorty and Beauty, but there was an hour yet to spare ; so as he walked leisurely up the trail he put his hand to his hip pockets, drew a medium sized Colt from each with facile and flexible wrists, and plugged the blazed stems of the few stunted trees which held his favorite marks. He then proceeded to examine the target with anxious scrutiny. The result was not quite satisfactory, and shaking his head disparagingly, he repeated the performance again and again, until every ball from both pistols was lodged within a dollar circle. This accomplished, he became more cheerful, or at least less serious, and at one made preparations to cook his frugal repast, still suddenly drawing and maneuvering his weapons at intervals.

            The meetings of the pards was in order to hold a consultation as to the trustworthiness of the assays of Monsieur Savarin. The samples which were to be submitted to him for assay and for working tests had been broken down and sent to the Frenchman, and all three expected to go to the old man's laboratory for their certificates that afternoon. In due time Shorty and Beauty arrived, and the all-important subject was broached.

            " I don't believe in no assayer," said Shorty. "What a man can't get in a horn I don't go a cent on. That 's the worst of this camp, anyhow, — a feller 's got to go it blind. Down at Red Dog a feller could know to a dot just what he was doing. I seen the boys many a time guess within a dollar of their clean-up, but here all you can horn is a lot of iron filings. How do you think the old boy gets the gold out of it, or do you think it 's all humbug, anyhow ? "

            " Biles it in chemicals," said Beauty ; "acids, and a whole lot of stuffs, — I seen him, and smelt him too, for he raised stink enough to knock you down."

            " Do ye suppose Murphy knows anything about it ? " asked Shorty.

            " Murphy be damned," said Sandy. " He knows as much about it as my old grandmother. Murphy's all gas. He 's talked so much and blowed so hard that he thinks he knows sumthin, but I heerd tell that a feller down at Chipmunk buttered and blarneyed him up, and then sold him a bar of babbit metal for silver, and stamped it 1200 fine at that. He had the feller hauled up and tried to get his money back, but old Judge Sheppard laughed him out of court. He wanted to put him through his elements, I think they called it, and Murphy balked."

            " There 's one thing about the old Frenchman," said Shorty, " he don't talk much."

            " Not a word out of his head," said Beauty. " He looks ye through and through with them keen eyes of his 'n, and snubs ye short off. A mighty cranky old cuss he is, I can tell ye."

            " Well, let 's go and see him, anyhow," said Sandy," and hear what he's got to say."

            Monsieur Savarin had established his laboratory in the lower end of the town. Over the dilapidated old door was an inscription, "E. Savarin, Assayer and Metallurgist." The door was opened to

1890.]  The Metallurgist.          119

their knock by the old gentleman himself, in his shirt sleeves, his face somewhat flushed and soiled, for he had been at work standing over the furnace.

            He appeared very little pleased at the interruption, and apparently did not stand at all in awe of the distinguished Chiv's, who, to tell the truth seemed to feel rather crestfallen and dejected in

his presence, for some reason which they were at a loss to explain. He would not even open the door at first wide enough to admit them, but curtly asked their business.

            " We have some gold rock here," said Beauty, " which we left to get assayed."

            The old man admitted them, passed behind the little counter and back toward the inner laboratory.

            The men meanwhile glanced around at the shelves of chemicals, labeled in symbolic abbreviations. Two or three of the bottles bore a death's head and cross-bones, which seemed to impress the party. In fact, Shorty in particular seemed to lose his self-confidence, and whispered, " If he knows how to use all that 's in them bottles, then I'll say he 's an assayer."

            Beauty, still attracted by the death emblem upon a bottle of cyanide of potassium, was carefully spelling over the symbol, K. Cy., when the old gentleman returned and handed him a certificate, which the miner hastily opened and read with paling face and lips.

                                                            Copper            23%

                                                            Gold                -----

                                                            Silver               -----

            " Ye lie, you old fraud," he said, indignantly throwing the certificate in the Frenchman's face. " It 's gold rock, and every miner in camp — "

            But Beauty got no farther with his protest, for at that moment a bullet whizzed past his face, and clapping his hand hastily to his head it was instantly covered with blood, and he found that he had lost a part of his ear. Beauty and Shorty for a wonder were not "heeled," and the party retreated to the street, whereupon the Frenchman instantly shut and barred the door.

            Sandy laughed, holding his sides to retain himself. Shorty joined in, but Beauty was furious. " Give me your pistol, Sandy," he said, " and let me kill the damned old cuss."

            But Sandy only laughed the more, blurting out at disconnected intervals, " Hold me, Shorty, or I shall die. — O, Shorty, hold me. Just to think of it ! The three quickest triggers in Chivtown — rattled by an old Frenchman. — Look at Beauty's face ! — He 's looking for his ear. — He 'll put it in that bottle, Beauty, — and you can look at it tomorrow ! Oh ! hold me, somebody ! What a spunky old catamount it is."

            But when Beauty attempted to take his pistol he became suddenly serious, and said, " By _____, Beauty, if you touch that old man, choose the mourners fer yer funeral ; fer I'll kill ye, as sure as my name is Sandy McNeil ! " And there

120      The Metallurgist.          [Feb

came into his steely blue eyes the look of the rattlesnake when about to strike.

IV.

            OF course so pretty a girl as May O'Connor had plenty of admirers. Chivtown was very proud of her, and not a man of them, old or young, but would have " plugged " any number of adversaries, could any have been found to merit her resentment. But she had not an enemy in the world, and to the credit of Chivtown be it said she was as safe in that wild camp, or perhaps safer, than in the greatest and most civilized of cities. But it required all her own tact and her mother's care to restrain her admirers without offending them. It was necessary for the prosperity of their business for them to remain popular ; it was still more necessary to check any undue familiarity. It spoke volumes for their tact and discretion, that under these circumstances they were the most popular and esteemed of all the inhabitants of Chivtown.

            Decidedly the most ardent of all May's admirers was Metalliferous Murphy. He was a fine looking fellow, fresh colored, healthy, and ready-witted. He had a good knowledge of woman's nature, its strength and weakness, and more than his share of the arts and winning ways natural to all his countrymen. He knew that the ladies were ambitious, and that Mrs. O'Connor in particular looked forward to an alliance for May that would enable them to leave Chivtown, and settle in a more prosperous and cultivated community. Thus he loved to pose as a mining expert, deep in the confidence of great city capitalists, and in his higher flights, as little short of an oracle of metallurgical and financial wisdom. A lucky incident enabled him to give color to these pretensions. When the great French company, or the Frenchman's Folly as it was termed, failed, it became necessary to put a keeper in possession. One of the victimized capitalists who had visited Chivtown to gather what remained of the wreck, gave ear to the seductions of the metalliferous and mellifluous gentleman, and appointed him keeper and receiver. This placed him in possession of a fine house, which might have been called a mansion, built for the French manager, a stylish team, saddle horses, and a number of privileges and perquisites, all of which the shrewd fellow used to dazzle May and her mother, and enhance his importance in the community. Like all girls May was fond of a lively drive or a canter on horseback. So the spanking team and saddle horses of the Frenchman's Folly were likely to prove trump cards in such skillful hands.

            One afternoon he appeared at the hotel in even higher feather than usual, and invited May to take a drive around the mines and works of the great French company. The country in that vicinity was very pretty and interesting, commanding a view of the surrounding landscape for many miles. The great lode located by the Frenchmen ran along the shoulder of the ridge, and the road which had been built by them followed along the edge of the vein for miles. At several of the mines " Mister Murphy " still had a man in charge, who came forward and touched his hat respectfully. They visited all the works in turn, and then the hundred-stamp mill, over which May was shown by her escort and care-taker. Then to the stables, carriage house, barns, and residence. He watched her closely, and seeing that she was much impressed, at once made the most of it.

            " It is an illigant property, me dear Miss May," he said ; "thirty thousand acres of land, ten miles of highly metalliferous, auriferous, and argentiferous lodes, woodlands, and water privileges ; in fact, highly important advantages without ind. Title, United States patint, — without spick or flaw, — immaculate, in fact."

1890.]  The Metallurgist.          121

            " How did they come to fail so dreadfully ? " May asked naturally.

            " Through ignorance and pretinse, me dear Miss May. The fact is, although I have the honor to enjoy the transcindint confidence of the Prisident of this fine property, I may be permitted to till you, sub rosa, that the Frinchmin have nothing of the practikil metalliferous knowledge necessary to conduct an interprise of this important character. It 's me opinion that the Frinch nashin is too frivolous and volatile for great undertakings. These ores, me dear Miss May, are highly metalliferous, also argentiferous, also auriferous and cupriferous. They are justly called mitils rather than ores. All their componint parts are metalliferous rather than silicious, and the complicashins and combinashins are of the most complicated and intractable character. But the metalliferous acquirements of the prisint scientific age are not unaqual to the solution of this interisting and highly important problim, and me dear Miss May, I till you in the strictest confidence, I am in correspondince with some of me intimate friends at the Bay. They are imminsely wealthy, and with their unlimited capital and me long experience in the solution of complicated metalliferous and metallurgical diposits, I am looking forward with unbounded confidence to the reorganizashin and rehabilitashin of this highly important and interisting problim. And in that connecshin I would ask ye, Miss May, if ye would be willin' to make a call with me on the old Frinchman. I have some samples of rock in me carriage which I want him to assay, not having the nicissary chemicals, me tests and me tubes, to do it mesilf."

            May was quite glad to visit the old gentleman, for she knew herself to be a great favorite with him. He had been taken ill shortly after his arrival, and she had been very good to him, superintending his comfort, sending all his meals from the house ; had cooked with her own hands dainty little dishes to tempt his appetite during convalescence, and had animated good Mrs. Crump to almost equal exertions in his behalf.

            The metallurgist was hard at work as usual, but received them both with great cordiality. He had conceived an almost paternal affection for fatherless May, and for reasons best known to himself tolerated the " highly metalliferous " gentleman, and even submitted to being patronized by him.

            " Me dear Professor, I trust we are welcome, and that we don't intrude upon yer highly interesting, important, and mitalliferous labors. It is me one rigrit that me multiplicity of responsibility does not permit me to avail myself of yer cordial invitation to participate in them. Surrounded by yer tists and tubes ye look more learned than Galin or Hippocrates. What may be the nature of yer experiments at the present moment, me dear Professor ?"

            " I am preparing some chemically pure silver, monsieur. I have dissolved it in nitric acid, you see Miss May ; I address the young lady," he said, bowing to her companion, "because you, Monsieur Murphy, are familiar with these little professional tricks. I add common salt and find in my precipitate silver chloride. I then add granulated zinc and sulphuric acid, until all chloride is converted into metallic silver. I then fuse with carbonate of soda in a plumbago crucible, and find my pure metal. Our friend, Monsieur Murphy, will explain to you the principle of chlorinization."

            Me dear Professor, not for the world would I intrude me imperfecshins in yer learned prisince ; and I think Miss May is after admirin' the pretty solutions in yer bikers more than the principles of chlorinizashin or any other principles in fact.''

            " If you will excuse me a moment," said the Professor, " I will look after my furnace. Monsieur Murphy, explain to Miss May the very pretty reactions which she admires."

122      The Metallurgist.          [Feb.

            " Certainly, certainly," said her escort, seizing a beaker, and watching until the Professor was well out of hearing. " I will not attempt to explain to ye, my dear Miss May, the intricate subject of the nature of acids and alkalies, or of their voluminous and complicated and highly important and intricate combinations. There are a number of highly mitalliferous iliments, and also a number of iliments which may be termed non-mitalliferous. There are also mitals and mitalloids. A green or blue color in a solution is an indication of copper, and it is probable that the brilliant colors which attract yer bright eyes, me dear Miss May, proceed from the solushin of that highly important mital ; but if ye will pardon me a moment I will hand the Profissor me samples, and we will continue our interesting drive."

            In the evening Monsieur Savarin called up at the hotel, and early securing an interview with May, who was seated at her desk, he said most impressively and kindly,

            " Pardon, that I address you. Cherie, I should be unworthy your great goodness to me did I not warn you of the man whom you honored with your company today. He has no claim upon the French property, and never shall have. In fact, I tell you in strict confidence, he shall be removed in less than three months. Pardon me the liberty when I say that I love to think of you as my daughter. I take profound interest in your welfare. The great Frenchman's Folly shall soon be in the hands of a young man, capable and talented, a gentleman of birth and refinement. He will also be an owner. He is a very fine looking fellow and guard you the heart, cherie, for he shall surely besiege to it."

V.

            WHEN Sandy McNeil threatened Beauty, warning him to keep hands off the metallurgist, and Beauty submitted, his submission must not be attributed to fear. There was a sort of Masonry among the Chivs. Sandy was practically their chief, and the orders of the chief must be respected. If Beauty refused to obey, he must be prepared to meet the resentment of Sandy, and shoot him down or be shot down himself. It said nothing against Beauty's courage that he was not willing to proceed to this extremity. But the loss of his ear troubled him ; his pals gave him no peace of his life about it, persistently declaring that the Frenchman had it preserved in the bottle with the death's head and cross bones.

            At length in an evil hour he was betrayed by false counsellors into bringing suit against Monsieur Savarin for assault with a deadly weapon. His companions had perseveringly blown upon the smoldering embers of his resentment, until they burnt into a flame in this form.

            The news circulated like wild-fire, and aroused the greatest excitement. For a Chiv to haul a man into court for assault with a deadly weapon was something unheard of. The news even reached the distant camps, and was received with shouts of derisive laughter. The loss of Beauty's ear and its preservation in a bottle labelled with a death's head and cross bones was drifted far and wide, the story enlarged and improved, and with just sufficient truth about it to " stick" in whatever form it was told.

            Judge Sheppard, before whom the case would be tried, pending the building the new Court House, held Court at his residence, which was a little dug-out, very similar to Sandy McNeil's, but situated "in town." The Judge had lost his wife recently, was in delicate health, and had his boy, a youngster of about twelve, living with him. When Beauty first went down to consult him about issuing a warrant he was in bed with his son. Beauty, after repeated rappings, was told to enter, in a thin soprano voice, and upon pulling the latch and getting his eyes

1890.]  The Metallurgist.          123

reconciled to the dim light proceeding from a small pane of glass in the artificial front of the dug-out, he saw the boy with his rough shock of hair sitting up in bed, like a rabbit in a field of alfalfa.

            " What do ye want, Beauty ? " the boy piped.

            " I want the Judge," said Beauty, " where is he ? "

            " He 's here ; what do ye want with him ? "

            " I 've got a case I want to consult him about," said Beauty.

            At this reply, the boy pulled down the cover of the bed, shook the sleeper, and piped out," Jedge, y' ere wanted in Court.

            " Who is it ? " said the Judge, in a smothered voice.

            " It 's Beauty," said the boy, "says he 's got a case in Court."

            At this the Judge turned and said hospitably, " Hello, Beauty. You got a case in Court ! You don't often meddle with the law. What 's the matter ? "

            "Well ! it 's that d—d Frenchman, Judge, who has bottled up my ear, they say. The boys won't let me play him, and I want to get the law on him, if I can't get even in the good old Chivtown fashion. I want him hauled up. Can't ye make out the papers ? "

            " O yes," said the Judge, looking a good deal surprised, and studying Beauty's face carefully to see if he had been drinking. " You can arrest him for assault with a deadly weapon. Sit down a moment and I 'll make out the papers. Pete, hand me my pants."

            In a few moments the Judge was seated at the table and had made out the warrant, the boy looking on meanwhile, kneeling up in bed, in wide-eyed astonishment.

            " Well ! that beats anything I ever heard," said the Judge, turning to his son, as his visitor passed out. " What 'll the boys say? Beauty must have taken leave of his senses. He never had much,

" JEDGE, Y'ERE WANTED IN COURT."

124      The Metallurgist.          [Feb.

anyhow. The boys have deviled him about the loss of his ear, until he 's cranked about it, sure ! "

            The boy in response showed his appreciation of the situation by standing upon his head in the bed, — when it immediately appeared that he had turned in in his pants and shirt, — and proceeded to make violent demonstrations of surprise with his legs and feet. He then suddenly reversed his position, and giving a long, shrill, knowing whistle, felt that he had done justice to the situation.

            The proceedings in Nevada in cases of this kind were formerly very summary, so that Monsieur Savarin found himself in Court, the cynosure of all eyes that same afternoon. The Judge's apartment would not hold the crowd, so the case was heard in the old City Hall. Everyone eyed the Frenchman with a certain admiration and respect. It was not that he had shot a man's ear off, — that was nothing, — but that he had bottled it and labelled it with a death's head and cross bones; for the story had gone out, and by this time was universally believed, even by Beauty himself, who "filled'" by his pals, had come to the conviction that no common wrong had been done him.

            The case was opened for the prosecution by ex-Judge Black. He certainly made the most of it, and dwelt pathetically and with much eloquence upon the inhumanity of bottling the ear of an honest man, and labeling it with a death's head and cross bones. He cited many well known cases to prove the sympathy between the amputated member and the corpus to which it naturally belonged. He pictured the Frenchman triumphing in his devilish science, probing the bottled member with a lancet, and the victim writhing in pain on his cot in his humble cabin during the long hours of the night. He pointed to Beauty, whom he pictured pale and attenuated, until the honest fellow really felt that he had wasted away, and pitied himself exceedingly.

            At the close of the ex-Judge's learned address the jury looked awe-stricken and " rattled," as though a ghost had got possession of them. Judge Sheppard appeared gloomy and disposed to bristle, and the defense whispered seriously with a senior member of their firm. The learned counsel for the prosecution had given the case an altogether unexpected turn, and all Chivtown felt a little creepy and uneasy. However, Colonel Bowie was soon seen nodding his head to the senior member of his firm with great glee, and amid profound silence began his address, his face full of suppressed fun and humor.

            " This is a case, gentleman of the jury," he said, "where a gentleman who has plugged his man at least a dozen times, within the limits of this very town, now seeks redress for the merest flea bite — the loss of a bit of one of his ears. The story of the bottled ear, with all the sensational additions of the death's head and cross bones, is all a myth, gentlemen. I call the principal himself as a witness. Beauty, come here."

            Beauty advanced reluctantly and sheepishly. The gallant Colonel seized him by the sound ear, and in no very gentle manner swung the injured side toward the jury. " There is the ear, gentlemen," he said, baring it. " You see but a fraction of it has disappeared, and I leave it to your sound, practical judgment, gentlemen of the jury, how much of that fragment the bullet could have left for my client to practice the mysterious rites and incantations insinuated by the ingenious and learned counsel for the prosecution. Why, gentlemen, my client was insulted, grossly and shamefully insulted in his own house. The wound was given to his opponent upon the threshold of his own doorway. There were opposed to my client the three quickest triggers in Chivtown ; and my client, gentlemen, was satisfied to shave off a morsel of

1890.]  The Metallurgist.          12 5

the ear of the foremost of his adversaries. I could call the gentlemen, his companions, as witnesses, but you will all appreciate the delicacy of my client, who has instructed me to refrain from doing so. I ask you, gentlemen, one and all, collectively and individually, if you were insulted as grossly as my client, who was told that he lied, was called a d—d French frog-eater, and had the certificate thrown in his face, would you, — could you, gentlemen, — have exercised the moderation and self-control of my client, who, in the face of the three assailants, all of them certain triggers, was content to warn the foremost by shaving off a morsel of his ear ? Why, gentlemen, so little danger was there, that his associates burst out laughing. There was absolutely no harm done, gentlemen. It is notorious that the complainant prides himself upon his good looks -- so much so that he is known by the name of ' Beauty.' He is a very handsome man, gentlemen, as you can all bear witness ; but I ask you if he is in any way disfigured. His ambrosial curls, gentlemen, cover and conceal the ear which has lost but a fragment of its symmetry ; and my friend Beauty will still be, in fact he is, as much adored by his fair admirers as ever. Nay, gentlemen, in Chivtown he is the very mould of fashion and the glass of form ; and I expect nothing less than to see our youthful bloods shave one another's ears with the same delicacy and precision as did my distinguished client — in imitation of the well-known custom in the effete monarchies of Europe, where the courtiers love to imitate the personal peculiarities and even the defects of a prince of the blood."

            The Court looked approval at the eloquent Colonel. His friends all came forward and shook his hand demonstratively. The Jury appeared relieved and gay, and in a very few minutes brought in a verdict of acquittal, amid loud cheers. As the parties left the Court, the Judge linked his arm in Monsieur Savarin's, and strolled down the street with him in a very confidential and communicative mood.

            " These fellows have to be taught a lesson every now and then, Professor," he said, and there is only one way to do it. Last summer there was a fellow from Georgetown brought a case before me, and allowed that he could run this Court. He wouldn't take warning or advice, but undertook to jump me. I gave the case against him, and after Court he asked me if I was ' heeled.' I said I wasn't, having just come out of Court, and he told me to heel myself, and he 'd go for me the next time we met. Well, I met him as I was going to breakfast the next morning. He was on the opposite side of the sidewalk, and we went at it. I was a little too quick for him, and put a couple of bullets into his hip. He has been under the Doctor's care ever since, and has just got about on crutches. I guess he 'll respect this Court hereafter. I sent over to know how he felt about it a few days ago, and he said that he thinks of going below ; which is the best thing he can do under the circumstances."

            Monsieur Savarin saw at once that he had won a valuable friend ; a just judge, a good lawyer, and an honest man !

            A few evenings later there were gathered together in a palatial mansion in San Francisco a distinguished company. The room which was unusually spacious was decorated with the finest works of art. Pictures by Gerome, Bougereau, Meissonier, Detaille, and others, gorgeously framed, covered the walls. Priceless bronzes stood on pedestals. Portfolios of water-colors, engravings and etchings, were temptingly upheld by inviting frames. At one end of the room stood a superb grand piano, and surrounding it in picturesque confusion were numerous violins, violoncellos, and other instruments. Rich carpets and rugs adorned the floors of the apart-

126      The Metallurgist.          [Feb.

ments, which opened en suite separated by portieres.

            The host, a portly, dignified looking man of sixty, the picture of bonhommie and good living, was dressed in a negligé costume, as also two or three privileged friends. The rest of the company were in full evening dress. Artists, musicians, authors, poets, savants, all of the French type, elegant, vivacious, and sparkling. The host, Monsieur Pinal, the great French capitalist of his day, and Monsieur Ferrier, a celebrated French violinist, were playing a violin duet, — the 'cellos and other instruments joining in occasionally in full but tender strains.

            The duet was just closing amid murmurs of delicate appreciation, when a distinguished looking Frenchman entered, preceded by a valet who announced "Monsieur Savarin, Messieurs."

            " My dear Savarin ! " said the host, advancing, holding out both hands, welcome, welcome, at last ! It is an age since we have seen you. How is Chivtown ? and how many men have you had for breakfast since your departure ? Come and tell me all about it. Messieurs, you will excuse me a few moments."

            All the distinguished company gave Monsieur Savarin a gleeful salute as the pair passed into a little private library. The metallurgist was well known to them all, and an especial favorite, but with none more so than with the host.

            " So come now, tell me, my Savarin how goes the great French Folly ; is it as we supposed, or is it dead and should have been buried long ago ? "

            " Never further from death, I think. It is indeed as we conjectured, a bonanza of priceless value. Nothing but ignorance, and perhaps criminal design, brought it to ruin. I have secretly explored every portion of every vein, and made hundreds of averages and assays. There they are ; you will see we have found nothing like it yet, even in the most precious of all your properties."

            " What about the unknown rebellious elements, — are they indeed invincible ?"

            Savarin answered by a gesture of contempt, saying : " There are no unknown elements in these modern days — no," he said, anticipating his friend, — " nor unknown combinations. A little more or less sulphur, a troublesome copper sulphuret, and perhaps a little tellurium, constitute all that is deemed invincible."

            At this moment there entered a fine, gallant looking young Frenchman, of aristocratic mien and elegant address. He was a favorite, evidently, with both the old Frenchmen, for both embraced him cordially. " It is as we supposed, Raoul," said Monsieur Pinal gaily : "the great French Folly is a bonanza of bonanzas. Prepare yourself to take charge of it. Savarin will return and stay three months with you to set you going."

" And O, Cher Raoul," said Savarin, " I have an angel for you an angel of beauty and goodness ! "

            " An angel in Chivtown !" said Raoul, elevating his eyebrows, and making a comical gesture of distrust. " I thought they all belonged to the other region — both sexes — in that celebrated vicinity."

            " I tell you, Raoul, never have you set eyes upon a lovelier, purer, more fascinating creature. But I need not say more. You will see her shortly, and if she does not at once kindle a consuming flame in your susceptible breast, then I am no prophet."

            " But perhaps there are rivals," said Raoul, interested.

            " Ah, yes," said Savarin, laughing. " Metalliferous Murphy, me friend and fillow student (trying in vain to mimic him) ; but you could carry off the girl, Raoul, if she were at the altar. She is love itself, pining for a mate ; never has she set eyes upon a man worthy of her, never on such a perfect picture of manhood as yourself, Raoul ! "

            " Ah, Savarin ! Savarin ! At the old game of flattery."

            " Yes," said Monsieur Pinal, " but he

1890.]  Roschen.           127

flattered the Chivtown gallants with bullets. What is that we heard, Savarin, about shooting off one of their ears ? At your old tricks with the pistol, eh ? Shame, shame ! It is getting too late for that. You must put up your weapons and wear a rosary."

            " Rosaries for monks and women ! " said Savarin. " I am quite in practice again with the pistol, and may teach Chivtown a lesson or two yet. How are you, Raoul ? Better polish up a little. Murphy may want to fight for his inamorata, though I think not."

            " So, so," said Raoul, " but I will take your advice, and the first thing we shall do, — you and I, — we will paint the town in solferino and magenta! "

 

            A FEW months later Chivtown and the camps in the vicinity were startled to learn that the " Great French Folly " had started up again with complete success ; that the stages were running laden with treasure, and fabulous stories were circulated as to the amount of the " clean ups."

            Later, the Chivtown Banner reported the marriage of Miss May O'Connor to Monsieur Raoul Lenoir. The Banner devoted a column to a description of the ceremony. Chivtown was bathed in champagne, it would appear, and no inhabitant of the vicinity had ever dreamed in his wildest visions of such presents as were showered upon the lovely and blushing bride. Monsieur Savarin gave away " his daughter," as he proudly called her. Judge Sheppard performed the civil service. " Monsieur Murphy " saluted the bride, and in the evening danced what he termed "a Milesian jig," to the admiration and enthusiasm of all beholders.

Henry S. Brooks.