ite such a fool, Hogan," said the plain-spoken Joshua.

About this time a stroke of good luck fell to Joe. bout three
o'clock one afternoon he unearthed a nugget which, at a rough
estimate, might be worth five hundred dollars.

Instantly all was excitement in the mining-camp, not alone for what
he had obtained, but for the promise of richer deposits. Experienced
miners decided that he had, struck upon what is popularly called a
"pocket," and some of these are immensely remunerative.

"Shake hands, Joe," said Bickford. "You're in luck."

"So are you, Mr. Bickford. We are partners, you know."

In less than an hour the two partners received an offer of eight
thousand dollars for their united claim, and the offer was accepted.

Joe was the hero of the camp. All were rejoiced at his good fortune
except one. That one was Hogan, who from a little distance, jealous
and gloomy, surveyed the excited crowd.

CHAPTER XXXVI

HOGAN'S DISCONTENT

"Why don't luck come to me?" muttered Hogan to himself. "That green
country boy has made a fortune, while I, an experienced man of the
world, have to live from hand to mouth. It's an outrage!"

The parties to whom Joe and his partner sold their claim were
responsible men who had been fortunate in mining and had a
bank-account in San Francisco.

"We'll give you an order on our banker," they proposed.

"That will suit me better than money down," said Joe. "I shall start
for San Francisco to-morrow, having other business there that I need
to look after."

"I'll go too, Joe," said Joshua. "With my share of the
purchase-money and the nugget, I'm worth, nigh on to five thousand
dollars. What will dad say?"

"And what will Susan Smith say?" queried Joe.

Joshua grinned.

"I guess she'll say she's ready to change her name to Bickford," said
he.

"You must send me some of the cake, Mr. Bickford."

"Just wait, Joe. The thing ain't got to that yet. I tell you, Joe,
I shall be somebody when I get home to Pumpkin Hollow with that pile
of money. The boys'll begin to look up to me then. I can't hardly
believe it's all true. Maybe I'm dreamin' it. Jest pinch my arm,
will you?"

Joe complied with his request.

"That'll do, Joe. You've got some strength in your fingers. I guess
it's true, after all."

Joe observed with some surprise that Hogan did not come near them.
The rest, without exception, had congratulated them on their
extraordinary good luck.

"S