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Show 200 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. The driver's face was so black with smut, he looked like a coal heaver. He said, " That takes the eyebrows off of any fire I have ever seen, and as soon as I can ascertain the origin I will send you full particulars. It will illuminate your book." The candidate declared it was the most "infernal" ride he ever took. We invested in cold cream and anointed our faces until they looked like balls of butter in the sun. The facetious landlord remarked, that we were the first cremated people that ever ate at his table. CHAPTER XLIV. MINING IN SAN JUAN. Taking the cars for Leadville, I was surprised and pleased to find among the passengers a number of successful mining men. As the San Juan country is now attracting attention because of its fabulous wealth, I became quite interested in their stories of prospecting there, way back in '61, when it was known as Baker's Park, Baker being the first man to enter the country. "It was in the winter of '61," said Mr. Curtis, "that a young friend of mine, knowing that I had some money, whispered to me of a 'new find' in the San Juan country, and said if I would 'go in' with them they would start immediately for the new Eldorado, build roads, lay out a town and by spring be ready for work. It was impressed upon me that 'mum' was the word. However, it leaked out as all such matters will, and there ensued a regular scramble for that country. Their provision and money gave out, and not finding a ' color,' they returned heaping abuse on the diabolical swindle. |
