The next day, Mrs. Smiley wrote as follows:

"DEAR MR. CHILLIS: I shall move into the new house about the
last of October, _according to your advice_. We--that is, myself,
and Willie, and the present owner of the house--shall be delighted
if you will come and stay with us. But if you decide to remain
with your son, believe that we think of you very often and very
affectionately, and wish you every possible happiness. R. agrees
with me that the land ought to be deeded back to you; and _I_
think you had best return and get the benefit of it. It would
make you very comfortable for life, properly managed, and about
that we might help you. Please write and let us know what to do
about it.

"Yours affectionately,

"ANNIE SMILEY."

No reply ever came to this letter; and, as it was written ten years ago,
Mrs. Rumway has ceased to expect any. Willie is about to enter College.

HOW JACK HASTINGS SOLD HIS MINE.

The passenger train from the East came thundering down the head of the
Humboldt Valley, just as morning brightened over the earth--refreshing
eyes wearied with yesterday's mountains and canons, by a vision of green
willows and ash trees, a stream that was not a torrent, and a stretch of
grassy country.

Among the faces oftenest turned to the flitting views was that of a
young, gracefully-formed, neatly-dressed, delicate-looking woman. The
large brown eyes often returned from gazing at the landscape, to scan
with seriousness some memoranda she held in her hand. "Arrive at Elko at
eight o'clock a.m." said the memorandum. Consulting a tiny watch, whose
hands pointed to ten minutes of eight, the lady began making those little
preparations which betoken the journey's end at hand.

"What a strange looking place it is!" she thought, as the motley
collection of board shanties and canvas houses came in sight;--for the
famous Chloride District had been discovered but a few months before,
and the Pacific Railroad was only four weeks open. "I wish Jack had come
to meet me! I'm sure I don't see how I am to find the stage agent to
give him Jack's letter. What a number of people!"

This mental ejaculation was called forth by the sight of the long
platform in front of the eating-house, crowded with a surging mass of
humanity just issuing from the dining-room. They were the passengers of
the eastward-bound train, ready to rush headlong for the cars when the
momently-