The round of the large hall was made, and in the
meantime the story had spread all over the camp. From the various saloons
came messages saying:
"Send the stockin' 'round the camp; boys are a-waitin' for it!"
With a party at his heels, Jack went from saloon to saloon. Games ceased
and tipplers left the bars as they entered each place, and miners,
gamblers, speculators, everybody, crowded up to tender their Christmas gift
to the miner's widow and orphans. Any one who has lived in the far Western
camps and is acquainted with the generosity of Western men, will feel no
surprise or doubt my truthfulness, when I say that after the round had been
made, the little blue stocking and the heavy canvas bag contained over
eight thousand dollars in gold and silver coin.
Horses were procured, and a party despatched to the larger town down on the
Consumnes, from which they returned near daybreak with toys, clothing,
provisions, etc., in almost endless variety. Arranging their gifts in
proper shape, and securely tying the mouth of the bag of coin, the party
noiselessly repaired to the widow's humble cabin.
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