“From the miners, washin’ along the crick, marm—they want to know what they ken do fur yer,” continued Toledo.
“I am very grateful,” said Miss Brown; “but I suppose the local school committee——”
“Don’t count on them, marm,” interrupted Toledo; “they’re livin’ five miles away, and they’re only the preacher, an’ doctor, an’ a feller that’s j’ined the church lately. None uv ’em but the doctor ever shows themselves at the saloon, an’ he only comes when there’s a diffikilty, an’ he’s called in to officiate. But the boys—the boys hez got the dust, marm, an’ they’ve got the will. One uv us’ll be in often to see what can be done fur yer. Good-mornin’, marm.”
Toledo raised his hat again, the other committee-men bowed profoundly to all the windows and seats, and then the whole retired, leaving Miss Brown in the wondering possession of an entirely new experience.
“Well?” inquired the crowd, as the committee approached the creek.
“Well,” replied Toledo, “she’s just a hundred an’ thirty pound nugget, an’ no mistake—hey, fellers?”
“You bet,” promptly responded the remainder of the committee.
“Good!” said the judge. “What does she want?”
Toledo’s countenance fell.
“By thunder!” he replied, “we got out ’fore she had a chance to tell us!”