He had only a smattering in the way of musical training, but the airs he played took better than classical music would have done. Even Jefferson Pettigrew enjoyed listening to “Home, Sweet Home” and “The Last Rose of Summer,” while the miners were captivated by merry dance tunes, which served to enliven them after a long day’s work at the mines.
One day there was a sensation. A man named John O’Donnell came down stairs from his room looking pale and agitated.
“Boys,” he said, “I have been robbed.”
Instantly all eyes were turned upon him.
“Of what have you been robbed, O’Donnell?” asked Jefferson.
“Of two hundred dollars in gold. I was going to send it home to my wife in Connecticut next week.”
“When did you miss it?”
“Just now.”
“Where did you keep it?”
“In a box under my bed.”